NO matter what, we all acknowledge the pioneering efforts of Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun who is chairman of First City Group. Many managing directors of banks came under his tutelage - and they are all grateful.
The towering figure himself is a joy to be around as he’s wisdom on two legs...

May be we should just go straight back to when you started CSL, FCMB. Would you say over the years you have achieved to a large extent the objective you set out to achieve?

I think I have accomplished it. When I started, it was a struggle for self-actualization. I wanted to be chief executive of someone else’s institution. And during a prayer session, one of my sons who was only nine years old at that time (Jide Balogun) suggested to mummy, why doesn't daddy go and start his own business? So, without anybody being aware, I went back to my chapel, my darling wife was sleeping and I prayed to my God. I said, good Lord, show me the way. At the end of the prayer session, I saw a bright light, which I translated to be a clear vision of what I should do. And from the chapel, I went straight into my study - and before we woke up in the morning, I had completed the Memorandum and Article of Association of City Securities Limited. There were a lot of cynics. People were asking, who is this man? But within two years of starting City Securities Limited, I built Primrose Tower. This same building. We moved in, in 1981/82. You can see from the plaque downstairs. In addition to that, at that time, I wanted to establish myself as a force to be reckoned with in the capital market...