GT Bank CEO & Co-Founder dies

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank) Plc, Mr. Tayo Aderinokum is dead, the bank has announced.

Officials say Mr. Aderinokun who had been on a medical leave, died on Tuesday afternoon, June 14, 2011 in the United Kingdom.

“With a deep sense of loss, but with gratitude to the Almighty God, we write to notify you of the passing on to eternal glory of our dearly beloved Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tayo Aderinokun. Mr. Aderinokun who had been on Medical Leave, passed on this afternoon, Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in the United Kingdom”, a statement published on the Bank’s website said.

He was 56 years old.

According to the statement, Mr. Aderinokun, co-founded GT Bank Plc in 1990 and served as the Deputy Managing Director for 12 years between 1990 and 2002, after which he became the Managing Director, a position he held until his passing.

During his time as Managing Director, the bank witnessed tremendous progress and growth and had emerged over the years as an industry leader, pacesetter of unique and progressive innovations in the banking industry which is now acknowledged and recognised as one of the most profitable and professionally managed corporate institutions in Nigeria, according to officials.

He was a recipient of numerous awards during his leadership in the achievements of the bank.

Mr. Aderinokun was awarded the ‘Banker of the Year’ at the inaugural ‘ThisDay Awards’ in 2006, Most Respected CEO by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2008 and ‘African Banker of the Year’ by the “African Banker” magazine in September 2009.

He was also a recipient of the National Award of Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria (FCIB).

GT Bank Plc has a subsidiary in Ghana known as GT Bank Ghana headed by Lekan Sanusi.

By Ekow Quandzie