₦airaland Forum

Former finance minister, Onaolapo Soleye, dies at 90

15th November 2023
By Okiki Adeduyite


A former Minister of Finance, Dr Onaolapo Soleye, is dead.

According to a statement released by his family on Wednesday, the former minister died in the early hours of the day, at the age of 90.

Soleye, who was the finance minister during the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), passed away just four days after celebrating his 90th birthday on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

The statement read, “With heavy hearts but with gratitude to God Almighty for a long, impactful and positively eventful life, the family announce the passing of Pa Dr Onaolapo Soleye, the father of our late brother, Maj Gen OO Soleye (retd.). He turned 90 years only last Saturday.

“Papa served the country and humanity in various capacities rising to the position of an Associate Professor in the University of Ibadan, Commissioner for Works in Ogun State and Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among others.

“He was a true lover of God and humanity and this translated into his unwavering commitment to church activities as well as ready support and assistance to all who came across him, in any way that he could.

“The loss of Dr Soleye is surely not that of the Soleye family alone. It’s our father that has just passed and we must all prepare to be part of his rites of passage.

“Burial details will be announced by the family in due course. Until then, please pray for the repose of Papa’s soul and God’s comfort upon his family and other loved ones.”

naptu2:
He recommended Dora Akunyili to President Obasanjo for the job of NAFDAC DG.

You see, he was the finance minister in Major General Buhari's government (1984/1985). General Buhari brought back some people from that government to serve with him at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). I think he was director of finance at PTF.

Dora Akunyili worked at PTF. She was ill and was given permission to go abroad for treatment. She did not spend all the money that PTF gave her for the trip and she returned the unspent funds to the PTF.

General Buhari was pleasantly surprised and commended her in front of other PTF staff.

He was also best friends with General Obasanjo (they attended the same secondary school). They went everywhere together. General Obasanjo told him that he needed someone to revive NAFDAC and he immediately recommended Dr Akunyili (even before telling her).

Later on, people were lobbying for the position and they claimed that Dr Akunyili was not a pharmacist. He called her and got her to send him her CV. He then forwarded it to President Obasanjo.

Dr Akunyili said that she was shocked when she got a phone call from someone that claimed to be Obasanjo. She initially thought that it was a prank.

Dr Onaolapo Soleye, Nigerian Finance Minister (1984/85) died this morning.

May his soul rest in peace.

naptu2:
https://punchng.com/former-finance-minister-onaolapo-soleye-dies-at-90/

naptu2:
https://punchng.com/former-finance-minister-onaolapo-soleye-dies-at-90/

MEGAWATCH:
A member of a Criminal gang gone.