Investment banking expert, co-founder and executive director of popular Lagos eatery, Bukka Hut, Laolu Martin has passed away.
Martins allegedly committed suicide in his home in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at 3 a.m., after giving up on his alleged long-fought battle with depression.
Confirming his death on Wednesday, a family statement read, “We hereby solicit the support and understanding of everyone as the family grieves the loss of our beloved Laolu in our privacy.
“Our kind request is that you support the family – wife, children, aged mother and father and his siblings with your prayers at this difficult time.
“Further announcements will be made by the family.”
Apart from his family, the worst hit is his partner and Co-Founder of Bukka Hut, Rasheed Jayeola, who only recently led his team to open their 15th outlet in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Bukka Hut is a restaurant that serves a wide range of delicious homemade meals.
Martins began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1999 as a Chartered Stockbroker and Chartered Accountant with 12 years of experience in investment banking, corporate banking, stockbroking, asset management, and pension fund management.
He began his career at Investment Banking & Trust Company Plc, now Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, where he worked in the Bank’s Financial Control and Trade Finance/Foreign Operations units before being seconded to Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, where he was Financial Controller, Head Asset Management, and finally Head Stockbroking.
Later, in 2005, he resigned to join Shell Nig. CPFA Ltd, the Fund Manager of the Shell Companies in Nigeria Pensions Scheme, where he was Head, Investments until 2008, when he resigned to join Nigeria International Security Limited, NISL, an independent financial services firm specialising in investments in Nigeria.
He was the CEO of NISL up until his death.
