Popular philanthropist, businessman and sports administrator, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas, has died at the age of 79. The man breathed his last on Monday, February 2, 2015.

The deceased was a man known to keep a low profile despite his wealth and success in business. He had his primary education at Princess School Lagos, and then moved on to further his education at Baptist Academy Lagos.

He thereafter proceeded to the UK, where he graduated with an Accounting degree from Balham & Tooting College of Commerce London.

He was the sole sponsor of Annual Asoju Oba Cups Table-Tennis Lagos State closed Championship since 1968, further serving as a former chairman, Lagos State Sports Council.

Late Okoya was on board as the chairman of 10 companies, most French companies. He held the 'Chevalier De La Legion D'Honneur' title, which is the highest national honour bequeathed by France to anybody.

From 1989 to 1992, he was chairman of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce.

Until his death, he was the Chancellor of Lagos State University as well as the chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited.

He was also decorated as the Odofin of Ile-Ife, Asalu Oba of Oke-Ona, Baba Suwa of Remoland due to his cultural values, traditional institutions and philanthropic attributes.