By Our Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Otunba  Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 80.

The President, who recently received the former minister and first female Chairman of the United Bank of Africa at the State House, also extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people Ogun State.

He also condoled with the banking industry, Otunba Kuforiji-Olubi’s friends and her former professional colleagues over the sad loss.

In a statement by Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, yesterday in Abuja, Buhari recalled that during his October 20 meeting with the banking and accounting guru, where he congratulated her on her 80th birthday, she was “warm and hearty”.

Kuforiji-Olubi

He affirmed that the then first female President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, served the nation and humanity with all her God-given strength and talent.

He noted that the multiple professional, national awards and fellowships she received were well deserved.

Buhari said: “As a distinguished economist and manager who scored many firsts in breaking the glass ceiling in both private and public services, the deceased would be remembered for redefining the place of womanhood in Nigeria’s development and inspiring others.”

President Buhari prayed that the Almighty God would grant her eternal rest, and also comfort her loved ones.

Woman of uncommon courage – Gbenga Daniel

Meantime, the late Kuforiji-Olubi has been described as a remarkable woman of uncommon courage, exemplary pedigree and one of the brightest in the constellation of Nigerian prominent women.

In his condolence message on the passing of the renowned technocrat and distinguished administrator, the immediate past Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, stated that Kuforiji-Olubi was a woman of enormous integrity, quintessential professional and an intellectual of global repute who made her mark in a male dominated world.