By Prof. Adesoji Adesugba DBA, Ed.D.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, honourable friends and colleagues,
Tonight, as we gather under the noble auspices of NACCIMA, our hearts are heavy with loss — but also full of gratitude, warmth, and deep respect — as we remember our dear friend and brother, Olusegun “Segun” Awolowo.
Segun was not just a colleague; he was a close friend, a trusted confidant, a fellow public servant, and in many years — a brother. In our respective professional capacities, we stood on different stages — he at the helm of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), I during my tenure as Managing Director of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) — yet we shared one mission: to advance the economic good of our beloved country, Nigeria. We often exchanged ideas, debated policy, and sought solutions together.
Segun’s contributions to Nigeria’s export-promotion and trade policy were significant. As NEPC Executive Director (2013–2021) he led with vision and dedication, steering non-oil exports, advancing diversification, and helping place Nigerian products on global markets.  In 2021, his peers across West Africa entrusted him with the presidency of the regional body of Trade Promotion Organisations — a testament to his competence, integrity and standing. 
But beyond the offices, the titles, the policies — Segun was, above all, a warm and humble human being.
He had that rare gift: no matter how busy, how high the burden, he made time, he made space for friendship, for mentoring, for remembering the human behind the public role. I recall our many conversations — in Lagos, in Abuja — sometimes over difficult policy challenges, sometimes over lunch, sometimes just catching up. Whenever I needed counsel, a sounding board, or a brother’s honest advice — Segun was only a phone call away.
Segun loved capturing moments. I have in my archives several photographs of him and myself, taken at events, functions, travels — frozen frames of time that now feel precious beyond measure. His love for life, for memories, for people, showed in those images: in his smile, in his ease, in his warmth. That office, that energy, that gentle humanity — they will forever be etched in my mind.
He was charitable. He was kind. A devoted family man — husband, father, grandfather — as his family has testified.  He was also a loyal servant of Nigeria — steadfast, passionate, committed. In every role he held, public or private, he walked with dignity, purpose, and integrity.
For me, Segun was more than a partner in public service — he was a pillar of friendship. I will always miss him. His laughter, his counsel, his presence — irreplaceable. But I take solace in what his life meant, in what his legacy will continue to inspire in all of us gathered here — about service, about humility, about love for country and for each other.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. May the memories we shared, the ideals he embodied, and the work he did continue to inspire us. And may we honour him best by carrying forward the values he cherished — generosity, dedication, brotherhood, and selfless service to Nigeria.
Farewell, my brother. You have fought a good fight. You have kept the faith. You will forever be missed — but never forgotten.
Thank you.
Prof. Adesoji Adesugba DBA, Ed.D.
1st Deputy President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry
