Aderounmu, Aladekomo: IT Industry Will Miss Seriki

As the family of Late Engineer (Mrs.) Florence Seriki, CEO of Omatek Ventures Plc, prepare to bid her farewell, eminent IT (and computer) professionals in the country have continued to pay tribute to her, among whom are Professor Sola Aderrounm, President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Sir Demola Aladekomo, former President, NCS and Chairman of SmartCity Resorts Plc.

Professor Aderounmu described late Seriki, a Fellow of the Society, as a thoroughbred Professional, a planner, a visionary leader, astute manager, articulator and indefatigable lady.

“There is a limit of grief at the grave of the dead. The bodies of the martyrs like Florence are the most beautiful altars to honour. When one dies in the arms of the lord, death ends, prison is broken, at last with death life begins with Christ.

“Though, Sun shine on agony that words cannot paint, there are many sorrows, the bitterness of death, the tortures of jealousy, the anguish of suffering, but there is nothing that rends the heart and ruins a life than the death of the loved ones. Florence’s death will know doubts ruins many lives. Therefore, those of us mourning and shedding tears for her transition should stop doing so and instead think of the survival of her business and children.

“Engr. Seriki, it is no gain saying that the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) will conspicuously miss you. The IT industry will miss you. Your friends and colleagues in the IT industry will miss your friendly relationship.

“It is necessary to educate each other today on the need to be original and be of positive influence wherever we find ourselves. Let us remember that whatever we achieve in life is just by grace. We might have the grace to live long, even longer than Methuselah, but that longevity cannot overwrite the landmark successes of David and others that spent few years but great achievements. Whatever your hands find to do, do it diligently, because at a time (short or long) we shall all be in the status in which Engr. Seriki is right now”, he said.

On his part, Sir Aladekomo said, “Florence, rather than mourn when I heard the news of your death, what immediately came to my mind was 'She did it her way'. 

“You did the very best possible within your circumstances where others would have given excuses. You chose your path where others would have depended solely and wholly on others. You did it your way. What a joy to live your own way than live a life of obscurity in the shadow of others. Worthy life lived, Florence!

“Our paths crossed twice when we both served on the Board of OAU TECHExcel and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). At OAU TECHExcel, we were trying to build a technology park at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. You served as the Treasurer. You were your own person with very strong opinions and you were very energetic.

“You did not suffer fools gladly. You gave good account of yourself. Most times, we were on different sides of issues. We did not agree on a lot of issues, but I respected your positions that were backed with strong logic and passion. I salute your courage and unyielding spirit. Wish we could have more people who stand on principles and defend their territories instead of the yes-men and women we have in abundance.

“Dear Florence, rather than mourn your death, I celebrate a life well lived. I celebrate a woman of substance. A woman who survived where several strong men and women failed. I celebrate a woman who stood her ground and made an impact in our ICT profession and nation. You will be remembered in words. You will be remembered in deeds. When the roll call of real men and women who lived are called, you will be there, right up front where you fought to be. You fought it your way. You did it your way. Better to live a short life of purpose than one without impact and usefulness.

“Florence, yours was a life well lived!,” he wrote in a tribute circulated to the media.

These are what other elders and members of the profession had to say about her.

“---------Very sad indeed that we have lost our ICT Amazon and Diva, the first Nigerian ICT woman entrepreneur and owner of a publicly quoted ICT company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. She was a rare model of diligence and hard work, an epitome of humility who believed in perseverance for success and she succeeded. We shall surely miss her and her smiles at every occasion. She was a great ambassador of the computer profession wherever she went. May her soul rest in perfect peace and to the family and us all, her Fellow Colleagues in NCS, the grace of almighty God to bear this very painful loss with fortitude”, Chief Don Etiebet, 3rd President, NCS.

“Dear Colleagues, That our Florence is gone is unbelievable. The good Lord giveth and the good Lord taketh. This time around He has taken one of our very best. Pray God grant her the choicest part of paradise. Also pray He kindly looks after those she has left behind. Amen. Condolences to us all” Alhaji Ladi Ogunneye, 8th President, NCS

“President NCS, Provost College of Fellows, All Fellows , All ITAN and All NCS Members

My condolences  to all of us for the loss of our dynamic visionary. My spirit is low. She was my cherished daughter,” Dr Adeola Odeyemi, Former Provost, College of Fellows NCS.

Also, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem said, “This is a very painful loss. I can feel your grief personally. May her graceful soul rest in peace! ‎Amen. May the good Lord grant us all the strength to live with this irreplaceable loss. Please, accept my profound condolences”

“Good night Flo, Amazon of IT industry, until we meet to part no more at the feet of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” Nike Osofisan Former President and Chairman of Council CPN.

“This is unbelievable but true. I am still in shock. Florence was so full of life and very dynamicbut God moves in mysterious ways. My condolences to all of us in the industry and to the loved ones she has left behind. Rest In Perfect Peace Dearest Flo,” Sekinat Yusuf, Former President and Chairman of Council CPN, and many others.

Cross Section of attendees at the Commendation Service organized by NCS in honour of Late Engineer (Mrs.) Florence Seriki, CEO, Omatek Venture Plc held at the Faculty of Science, University of Lagos (UniLag) on Monday.