By Anne Agbakoba (Founder & CEO, Numeris Media – Publishers of Bank & Entrepreneur Africa)
It feels like I lost an arm. Mrs. Yemi Owolabi was a distinguished, brilliant, and extremely dedicated member of the Numeris Media Editorial Board, always displaying amazing work ethic and empathy. She was also an ex-colleague, a sister-friend, and one of the most decent persons I have come across.
Yemi would get up at 4AM to join me in Zoom meetings because she was genuinely interested in the work we did with entrepreneurs at every level. When we called on her to deliver basic financial literacy lessons to rural women in Iseyin (Oyo State), in Yoruba, she did not bat an eye and executed with aplomb. In more sophisticated settings (with financial institutions, international NGOs etc.), she held her own authoritatively.
As I struggled to write a befitting tribute for Yemi, our former boss, Peter Obaseki dropped this spectacular piece in our ex-Fidelity Bank WhatsApp forum, leaving nothing more to add. With his permission, I share:
Tribute by Peter Obaseki
It has been hard to come to terms with the reality of the demise of Yemi Owolabi. She was a refreshing generation in the Financial Control department [of Fidelity Bank].
A department that was laid on solid foundations by O’tega Emerhor, replicating Citibank MIS framework around MPR, APR, and PPR, Management Account and Product Profitability Reports.
At a point, there was a vacuum and I introduced Yemi, who scaled the interview process and emerged as the new head of the department.
It fell on Yemi to rebuild the team and command the confidence of Management. She did with a high level of confidence and credibility. Yemi thoroughly understood Accounting and brought in clarity.
She was a master of insightful financial ratios and their interpretation for strategic actions. While the mainstream focus then was on RoE [Return on Equity], Yemi believed more in ROCE [Return on Capital Employed], insisting that the latter puts Management on the spot in terms of the efficiency of the total capital available for utilization. Her reports would include the two ratios, drawing out the contrasts.
She was sharp and lucid; a natural mentor and coach. Her team included AY (A. Yahaya) as deputy…
It was no surprise that her career blossomed, underpinned by competence and assured integrity. She excelled in all her jobs at KPMG, Fidelity, StanChart and international postings to Dubai.
She was a pillar of a wife, starting at Ikotun, Ilupeju (her father’s house) and thereafter moved upwards to choice locations [VGC], reflecting her status.
She was in the Parents Association of Chrisland Secondary School, Idimu, (Chairperson?). In that role, she invited me to give a speech on that year’s Valedictory Day.
She had so much more to offer but we submit to the Will of God Almighty. Yemi served God Almighty diligently as a lifelong Christian.
My heart and condolences go out to her family, siblings and friends.
May her fine soul rest in peace 🙏
We will miss Yemi, terribly…
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