Funmilayo Olayinka

Funmilayo Olayinka was a Nigerian banker and politician who served as the deputy governor of Ekiti State from 2010 until her death in 2013. She was born in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, and attended Holy Trinity Grammar School Ibadan and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo State. She obtained a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor of business administration marketing from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. She started her career in banking with First Bank of Nigeria Plc in 1986 and later worked as relationship manager for corporate accounts in Access Bank, Merchant Banking Corporation, and United Bank for Africa Plc. She was also the second vice president of the Association of Corporate Managers of Banks between 2002 and 2004. She played a strategic role during the merger process of the erstwhile United Bank for Africa and Standard Trust Bank, where she co-chaired the Branding Sub-Committee. She later became the head of corporate services, Ecobank Transatlantic Inc., where she was responsible for communicating the bank's activities to the public, relationship management with the public and providing feedback to management as it relates to the total image of the bank. She also oversaw the General Internal Services Unit with responsibility for overall co-ordination of administrative services for the entire bank. She was elected as the deputy governor of Ekiti State in 2010, alongside Governor Kayode Fayemi, after a disputed election process that lasted for three years. She was described as an epitome of beauty and character, a woman of virtue, courage, tenacity and loyalty. She was fondly called 'Moremi Ekiti' by the people of Ekiti State whom she served with ultimate loyalty. She was involved in various developmental projects and initiatives in the state, especially in the areas of education, health, women empowerment and poverty alleviation. She was also a devout Christian and a philanthropist who supported many causes and individuals. She died of cancer on April 6, 2013, at the age of 52. She was survived by her husband, Lanre Olayinka, and three children, Ololade, Olamide and Oladimeji. She was buried in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, with a state funeral and tributes from various dignitaries and organizations. She was widely mourned and celebrated as a delightful amazon who left a footprint on the sands of time.