MY TRIBUTE TO TAYO ADERINOKUN

I met Tayo Aderinokun for the very first time in January 1995. I was in a borrowed cream linen suit waiting to be interviewed by Guaranty Trust Bank’s Deputy Managing Director. In preparing for the interview, I tried to find all I could about the bank, about its founders and hoped I would do well enough to get the job. When I eventually got a chance to meet him, he was a mere mortal; his voice was quiet and tinged with a softness that belied his authority, position and strength of character. He only asked one question which to this day I’m not sure I answered satisfactorily, but I got the job and was posted to their Port Harcourt branch.
Working in Port Harcourt did not afford me the opportunity to interact with the executive management on a day to day basis, but the bank was small at the time and we all knew and interacted with one another via carefully orchestrated meetings and get-togethers. I vividly remember one time Tayo (Uncle T) as we all called him came to visit the Port Harcourt office. I was quite busy that day running around more than usual perhaps to impress upon him what a good hardworking staff I was. Surprisingly, at some point he came over to my desk to ask if I ever took a break. We got talking and discovered a shared love for books which led to a firm enduring friendship.
Thereafter, whenever I was in the Lagos office, I would visit his office and leave with an armload of books on all topics. After seeing his library, I formed the habit of buying books for myself as well. Our interests covered a wide range of topics from poetry to drama, politics and history. Nothing was left out, if it was printed we wanted to read it.
As I got to know him better, I discovered that Uncle T loved chocolates but alas that was a passion I did not share. Whenever I thought of sending him a gift to say thank you for the kindness he often shared, a box of chocolates always came in handy.
I learnt many things from Uncle T; I learnt to read, to write and to appreciate art and literature. I learnt to be myself and be comfortable in my own skin – Uncle T didn’t think twice about settling down to eat ‘boli and groundnut’ if that was what he felt like eating. It didn’t matter that the bank had quadrupled in size, he was so comfortable being himself.
I learnt from him what it meant to be a faithful friend; when I took my problems to him, he didn’t mince words telling me where I had gone wrong or hold back on scolding, but that done he always put out his resources to help in any way he could. At some point, I thought I was some special person and the only recipient of Tayo’s kindness, but it didn’t take long to realize that Uncle T had so many special people, his knack for making each one of us feel we were the only ones was just his brand.
I learnt to be thorough in doing my work and to be organized, ensuring each day that I left my desk clean. I didn’t want him to hear negative reports about me and my escapades in Port Harcourt and even if he did, I wanted him to see that I had done my best.
He was my mentor in many ways; teaching and constantly encouraging me to do the very best I could. His methods were not always appreciated but his intentions were always good. He was my brother; beyond work he got to know my husband and children, noting and celebrating each new addition to the family. He was my friend; sometimes just for laughs we would sit through his ribald jokes and share ours as well.
Today, I celebrate the privilege of meeting him and the gift of knowing him and being a part of his world.
Tayo, adieu. We miss you.