Members of The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks, ACAMB, and indeed the banking industry were stunned on Sunday when the death of Abdul Imoyo was announced. Abdul Kolawole Imoyo was Head of Media Relations at Access Corporation/Access Bank and he was a professional to the core.
It was like a call to reality that anyone of us could go anytime.
ACAMB had its end-of-year party last Friday 15th December and many of us who expected to see him and his ebullient self were a bit disappointed when he did not show, because as the Publicity Secretary of the body, you cannot but help feel his presence. As it turned out, some of the officers were aware he was in hospital at the time of the party, but being hopeful, did not let anything out.
The tragic news of Abdul’s demise on Sunday was double tragedy for me because as at 8pm when the ACAMB end of year party was picking up and awards were being presented, another communications guru, Mike Obiajulu Meze, Fellow and former Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Lagos Chapter was also breathing his last in a Surulere hospital. He had been on admission for a couple of weeks and just when we thought the worst was over, he went to meet his maker. I was Mike’s best man when he got married to his bride Peju over 30 years ago so his death was close to me as we had been monitoring him while in hospital. But a younger Abdul Imoyo going away so suddenly was too bitter to savour, and I am sure words are not enough to describe how his colleagues on ACAMB Exco as well as members and co-workers at Access Bank/Holdings feel now on his sudden demise.
I have known Abdul since he was a young business reporter with Vanguard when I was UBA’s Head of Corporate Affairs. He was respectful and helpful to a fault and was always ready to assist. To say I am shocked beyond belief is an understatement but we pray for solace and fortitude for his colleagues and his immediate family at these trying times and also that his soul may find favour with God.
ACAMB President Rasheed Bolarinwa was the one who issued the transition statement on the death of Abdul on the association’s WhatsApp platform on Sunday afternoon, after the family had confirmed it, to avoid any attempt at sensationalising the passage.
Abdul breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday, December 17, 2023, at First Cardiology, Ikoyi, Lagos, after a brief illness”, according to the statement.
Bolarinwa confirmed that Abdul contributed significantly to boosting the communication strategies and public image of the Access Group.
Tunde Imoyo, representing the Imoyo family, had announced the news of the death, saying: “It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle, Abdul Kolawole Imoyo, who departed to be with the Lord in the early hours of December 17, 2023, after a brief illness. We are taking some time as a family to grieve over our loss at this time. We thank you for your prayers and support.”
Abdul was known for his dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the field of corporate communications and his contributions to ACAMB and the broader corporate landscape, will be remembered and celebrated by colleagues, associates, and the entire banking community.
Bolarinwa recalled with nostalgia, that late Abdul Imoyo “played active roles in cementing the bonds of relationship between ACAMB and other industry Bodies like FICAN, CAMCAN, etc while he was in the Media. That he emerged the Publicity Secretary of the current ACAMB Exco was in recognition of his amiable traits, needed to wedge the critical stakeholders in the industry”
ACAMB extended its deepest condolences to the Imoyo family and Access Holdings Group during this difficult time and expressed gratitude for Mr. Imoyo’s invaluable service to the Association and the corporate sector at large.
The funeral arrangements and memorial service details from the Imoyo family will be communicated at a later date.
Meantime, ACAMB has requested that the privacy of the Imoyo family be respected as they mourn the loss of their beloved.
