NSE, PDP mourn Gamaliel Onosode

Kayode Adelowokan

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday joined other Nigerians to mourn the death of “one of Nigeria’s foremost technocrats” and the country’s first indigenous stockbroker, Dr. Gamaliel Onosode.

Late Deacon Gamaliel Onosode

Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer of The Nigerian Stock Exchange described the passage of Dr Gamaliel Onosode as a great loss to the Nigerian capital market.

Also, the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) said it “is indeed deeply saddened by the loss of this great Nigerian, a highly respected statesman and organized corporate administrator who made immense contributions towards the economic and political development of our dear nation.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange CEO said, “We received the saddening news of Dr Gamaliel Onosode’s death. He was an exceptional, forthright and inspirational leader whose life exemplifies all the values dear to the NSE. He was a man of integrity and the best we could find as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the NSE’s Investors’ Protection Fund, when we decided to re-operationalize the Fund in 2012.

“We will sorely miss him. However, we take solace in his laudable achievements which will remain indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history. On behalf of the Council, Management and Members of the NSE we offer our heartfelt condolence to the Onosode Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this challenging time.”

Dr. Gamaliel Onosode during his life Chaired quoted companies across diverse sectors including blue chip firms like Cadbury. He founded the first indigenous stockbroking firm, Nigeria Stockbrokers Limited, where he was Chairman until demise.

The first indigenous stockbroker was the inaugural Chairman of the Investors’ Protection Fund; former Council Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange; Council Member, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and Chairman, Board of Fellows, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers.

The PDP in a statement by it National Publicity Secretary, Mr Olisa Metuh said “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Onosode family as we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Onosode was a Nigerian technocrat, administrator and a former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party of Nigeria.

He was boardroom player in Nigeria’s corporate environment, a former Presidential Adviser to President Shagari and a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Mr. Onosode reportedly died on Tuesday morning at Gold Cross Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos after a protracted illness.