By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has described Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, as a special gift to humanity.
Obasanjo said this on Monday, July 10, 2023, while speaking as Chairman at a colloquium to mark Aare Babalola’s 60th anniversary at the bar, held at the Alfa Belgore Hall, iAfe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), which was filled to the brim with the heavy and mighty in the country that included movers and shakers in the law industry, business stakeholders, creme de la creme in the society, representatives from United Kingdom and South Africa.
The former President in his keynote address, declared that the greatest lesson he learnt in the life of the legal luminary is that he does not rest, saying “After so many years at the bar he is supposed to be resting by now but that was when he started the establishment of this university, ABUAD. Within a short period, Aare Afe Babalola made it the leading university in the country.”
Obasanjo then called on all the dignitaries present to emulate Aare Babalola and put in their best on whatever they had in their minds to do.
The Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, on his part, lauded Aare Babalola as the brain behind the creation of Ekiti State and the father of the state. According to him, “Daddy, I congratulate you and thank you so much for what you have been to humanity. Thank you so much for providing platforms for those that are hopeless to have hope, thank you Daddy that I can stand here today as governor of Ekiti State because of people like you. Whenever I am called to come and speak about my daddy, whatever comes to my mind is what would I say about him. But today, I thank God over his life and pray to God to give him long life.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his remarks, also described Aare Babalola, as a good man who has achieved a lot and spread his tentacles all over the country through humanity. The monarch then invited the legal icon on stage where they both danced.
A former Minister of Defence who served under the administration of Obasanjo, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, similarly hailed Aare Afe Babalola, as a good and a go-getter, praying for his long life.
Others who showered encomiums on Aare Babalola included his first daughter, Mrs Folasade Alli; former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni; the Chief Librarian of ABUAD, Mrs Rosslyn Subair and representative of Durban University of Technology, South Africa, Dr Emem Anwana, and the former Minister of Justice and Anthony General, Akin Olujinmi, among others.
They also hailed the official caterer of the event, Ripples Catering Services for the good foods supplied while commending the CEO for the branding and the mature way of attending to clients at the occasion, urging the teeming guests not to hesitate to patronize the charming Eunice Olaseeke Adeoye.
Thereafter, there was a book launch which was coordinated by Tunde Olofintila and Dr Henry Nzekwu, with dignitaries donating handsomely.
The cutting of the cake was then coordinated by Chief Obasanjo while a vote of thanks was performed by Mr Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN.
In the evening of the same day and at the same venue, dinner was held with the King of World Beat, King Sunny Ade, entertaining the guests to herald the event.
The event started with Tunde Olofintila coming on stage with the introduction of guests and calling on the Master of Ceremony, Dr Henry Nzekwu, who called on the former President, Chief Obasanjo, to give an opening prayer followed by a performance of King Sunny Ade who thrilled all the dignitaries present at the dinner party.
There was a traditional performance and cultural display by the Aluluogo group from Ado Ekiti and Obirin Ile Ilorin.
Thereafter, there were testimonial and goodwill messages from friends, admirers and associates of Aare Afe Babalola during which Messrs Mobolaji Oriola and Ojoge Daniel, described the legal luminary as a good man who loved the progress of people who came in contact with him, stating how positively he has impacted them.
This was followed by special songs rendered by Akomolafe Sharon.
The cutting of the dinner cake was similarly coordinated by Chief Obasanjo followed by the celebrant dance with King Sunny Ade, dishing out what he knew how to do best.
The vote of thanks was finally said by the Celebrant who thanked all the dignitaries present most especially Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who he said stood with him from the beginning of the event to the end despite his busy schedule.
The event was anchored by Dr Henry Nzekwu and covered by Apreel1 Events TV.
