Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun (1926-1978), alighting from his vintage stretched Rolls Royce. Stretched Rolls Royce among the wealthy Nigerians and aristocrats “no be today”. People like Henry Fajemirokun ,also known as Henry Stephens ,were connoisseurs of luxurious and high-end automobiles in their days.
Unarguably, the Ile-Oluji born shipping magnate was the richest in his generation. He bestrode the world of business like a colossus. He started his entrepreneurial voyage at 29 years of age in 1955. He began by exporting agricultural commodities like ,rubber, cattle bone,hide and skin, coffee,etc. By 1962, Henry had blossomed and established his shipping company.
After Nigeria’s independence, Henry Fajemirokun became one of the most successful indigenous businessmen in Africa. He established Henry Stephens Group of companies with interest in oil, commodity trading, shipping,etc. He became a major shareholder in some of the leading blue-chip companies in Nigeria. He owned stakes in Fan Milk, American International Insurance Company, Hydrocarbon Nigeria ltd., Nigerian-American Merchant Bank,etc.He acquired many other companies and became the major distributor of Rank Xerox in Nigeria.
At his peak,he expanded his tentacles to the London Stock Exchange by holding a seat at the exchange. He went into commodity brokerage and became one of the first Nigerians who got involved in oil exploration.
Though Henry had no university education,his vision and power of imagination was legendary. He was not just a local player, Fajemirokun saw the need to expand his coast and exploit business opportunities around the world, especially West Africa. No wonder ,he was so interested in the integration of the West African countries. He was of the opinion that trade barriers should be removed among the West African states. This was the reason why he gave his financial and intellectual resources to the formation of ECOWAS.
He was instrumental to the formation of ECOWAS.As a visionary industrialist,he saw the need to integrate the West African countries for greater business opportunities.
Henry’s was a down-to-earth wealthy Nigerian. His philanthropic and altruistic endeavour was second to non and a point of reference. He donated to charitable causes such as South Africa emaciation during the apartheid era. He gave to communities,churches, universities and other educational institutions, individuals,etc. His kind gesture was beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Aside from his business and philanthropic heights, Asiwaju of Oke-Igbo was a socialite extraordinaire. A powerful dresser who enjoyed the best ostentation and luxury money can buy in his time. No doubt, he flocked and rocked with some of the dandiest and most famous socialites of his time. Members of the ensemble include, Lekan Salami,Bolarinwa Abioro,Prince Okunade Sijuwade,etc. Okunade Sijuwade later became the Ooni of Ife(Olubuse ll).
Despite his brief journey in life, Henry lived a prominent, impactful and purposeful life. He died at 52 in Abidjan leading a trade mission to ECOWAS summit.He was not just an ordinary mortal,he was a genius. Brief but impactful life is better than a watery Methuselah kind of life.
I am aware his legacy lives on. Dele Fajemirokun,his son is a chip off the old block. He is living up to the billings. Dele is still maintaining Henry Stephens Shipping and some other companies owned by his father. Live on,Lijoka of Ondo Kingdom.
By Awoleye Kayode.
