Former presidential aspirant, Chief Harry Ayoade Akande, is dead.
Akande died at 77 in the early hours of Saturday after a brief illness.
This is contained in a statement by his son, Mr Olumide Akande, on behalf of the family.
The statement described the deceased as ”an astute businessman of international repute whose legacy and influence cut across continents”, adding that, ”his greatest passion was for a better Nigeria that guaranteed equity and justice for all. It is our fervent hope that this will be a reality in the not too distant future.”
Akande, the Agba Oye of Ibadanland, was born on March 3, 1943. He attended the Olivet Heights before proceeding to the United States where he bagged his BSc in Accounts and Finance at Hampton University in 1967, and an MBA at the Northwestern University, Kellogg’s School of Management.
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After returning to Nigeria in 1970, he worked as a financial consultant with KPMG Peat Marwick and Standard Oil Corporation before establishing his own company, Akande International Corporation, in 1971. He later became the president of New African Technical & Electrical Company (NAFTEC), a representative company of General Electric (G.E) America, which executed major Gas Turbine Electricity Projects at Ughelli, ljora, and Delta II-IV.
His company was involved in the Osogbo- Ede Water Scheme, Bauchi Township water supply scheme in 1988, and Benin City and Warri/Effurun 35mgd water supply project in 1989.
He was one of the founding fathers of the then All Peoples Party (APP) and served as Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees.
Akande later ran for President on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).