Oloye Sir Molade Alexander Okoya-Thomas was born in Lagos, Nigeria on June 8th, 1935 to Hussam Okoya-Thomas, who was the first Baba Adinni of Furabay Mosque, Olowogbowo, Lagos Isalnd. He was also the first local staff of CFAO, a company he served for 52 years. Sir Molade was a renowned Lagos based Philanthropist and business mogul.
Molade Okoya-Thomas would have been 89 years old, if he were alive today. May his soul rest in peace.
Molade obtained his basic formal education at Princess School Lagos (1942-1946) and Baptist Academy Lagos. He studied accountancy at Balham and Tooting College of Commerce between 1956 and 1959. After that, he furthered his studies in accountancy at Columbia University in 1981 and Columbia, both in New York City.
During his early days, Molade was actively involved in sports. He jointly held the All Nigeria Record Holder of 4 X 220 yards relay race while at Baptist Academy Lagos. He went on to become the sole sponsor of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Championships for over forty years. This ensured that he set a record as the only Nigerian to single-handedly and consistently sponsor a competition spanning such period.
As a philanthropist and sports lover, he served as vice-chairman, Lagos State Sports Council, President Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Chairman 3rd All-Africa Games Appeal Fund Committee, Chairman National Appeal Fund for Sports Development and chairman Sports Trust Fund. Molade Okoya-Thomas built and donated a Modern Sports Hall for students and staff of the Lagos State University (LASU) in 2009.
Molade was also a prominent member of the fund raising committee for the construction of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The then Commissioner for Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development in Lagos State, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele announced the state governments decision to celebrate Molade Alexandria Okoya-Thomas at the age of 75, taking into consideration his numerous contributions, with the naming of the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium on June 8th, 2010 after him.
He was the chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited, a Lagos-based industrial conglomerate engaged in the wholesale trade of automobiles, building materials, technical equipment, electrical equipment, and agricultural equipment. He was founder and chairman of Eleganza Group. Other companies he served in include; Transcap Nigeria Ltd., Oktom Investment Ltd., Itochu Nigeria Ltd., Chiyoda Nigeria Ltd., and Anchoria Investment & Securities Ltd. He was Director of NFI Insurance Company Plc. and Gateway Bank Plc. He was also the Asoju Oba of Lagos, Babasuwa of Ijebu-Remo, Odofin of Ife.
Chief Thomas was married to Iyaloye Olivet Abosede Okoya-Thomas. They children include; Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas (who is a member of the Federal House of Representatives), Tosin Alobo Bakare, Olayinka Irene Taiwo and Ayodeji Okoya-Thomas. He died in the early hours of Monday, February 2nd, 2015 at 79, after a brief illness.
His net worth is not available.
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