8/3/2019 Aig Tribute to Tayo

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Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s Tribute to Tayo Aderinokun, 1955 – 2011

  Tayo Aderinokun literally walked into my life in 1988. In his characteristic

unassuming manner, he approached my desk at Continental Merchant Bank to

introduce himself and thrust out his hand saying “Hi, I’m Tayo”. He then said “You

must be Aig”. We chatted for a minute; he excused himself and then left. This brief encounter between him, a manager and me, a youth corper did not happen by

chance and would have a profound effect on my future career in banking. Tayo had

without meeting me identified me as someone that he would want to work with as

he pursued his vision for an entrepreneurially-driven career in banking. Over the

next thirteen years I observed several similar instances where Tayo would

instinctively take a chance on the future potential of an individual he had never

worked with. I recall one instance where a young salesman visited Tayo to sell him a

swimming pool; Tayo was impressed with the young chap’s selling skills and

recruited him on the spot despite his lack of relevant experience to work in

Guaranty Trust. The young man, now bald, went on to have a meritorious career inthe banking profession.

Once Tayo had you on board, he commenced the delicate process of molding you

into a confident, knowledgeable, and urbane banking professional. Those who

worked with him will never forget his pushing, inspiring, cajoling, and sometimes

bullying to drive his recruits or should I say pupils to attain standards of excellence

that define what is best in Nigeria’s banking industry even today.

I am grateful to God for influencing Tayo to invest significant amounts of time in my

professional development. What most do not know is that I was told almost

everything - his history, his trials, his triumphs, his family relationships - in the belief that this exposure would accelerate my rate of development and process of 

maturing.

 Tayo was a man whose intellect and high level of enlightenment gave him clarity of 

purpose and confidence of judgment to pursue the goals he had set for himself with

almost clinical efficiency. His vision was always uncluttered and the path to

attainment very clear, thus he was quick and decisive in resolving the dilemmas

that we all meet in life’s journey.

Because Tayo did not hold back much from those he embraced, I was privileged to

interact very closely with his vast network of relationships: Regulators, Customers,Bankers, Business Partners, and friends from every background and demographic

constituency. His only basis for discrimination was whether you were

straightforward with him or not. He was loyal and supportive to anyone he regarded

as a friend so much so that he had this knack for converting his customers into

close friends. These friendships ensured that his customers literally took their

business wherever Tayo went. For those who competed for business with Tayo, they

will readily duff their hats to this truly outstanding Relationship Manager.

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At Guaranty Trust we used to say that great organizations make ordinary people

extraordinary; today, let me paraphrase and say great leaders can be measured by

the exploits of their followers.

 Tayo taught me how to plan and execute; whether it was a product, an event, abusiness strategy, a marketing call, or a negotiation. Tayo believed in planning and

this was one of his most outstanding qualities. I recall him regaling me with his

hosting of the then Continental Merchant Bank CEO and Foreign Dignitaries during

an official visit to Kano during his tenure as the Bank's Kano Branch Manager:

precision timing, a dash of panache, and innovative use of the resources available

to him resulted in an extremely successful outing. I recall several events that we

planned together, which set a standard that, truth be told, was a challenge to

better. But on a larger scale, the story of First Marina, the founding of Guaranty

 Trust, and the rebranding of Guaranty Trust are examples of truly outstanding case

studies of world class planning and execution.

 Tayo’s untimely departure has left thousands of people with a shared sense of 

painful emptiness and frustration because this colossus of banking, who had so

much more to give, was taken away at the prime of life.

But what better way to deal with our pain than to use the memories of Tayo's time

and service as a father, brother, son, friend, colleague, mentor, leader and patriot

as a cloth to wipe away our tears. What better way to honour this great Nigerian

than to complete some of the projects he started as he transited from his role as

the builder of great companies to that of the builder of a great Nigeria.

Adieu Uncle “T’, a rare Nigerian of inestimable value.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

Managing Director,

Access Bank plc