Trending

Abiodun commiserates with Buhari, Obasanjo, NBA, Ajibola family over world jurist’s death

0
By on News

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation’s judiciary and the family of former Justice at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, on the death of the former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, who passed on in the early hours of Sunday.

Describing the death as a big loss to the judiciary, Governor Abiodun said his legacies in the judiciary, philanthropy and the educational development of Nigeria would never be forgotten.

Governor Abiodun, who also commiserated with the Owu Royal Family of the late former Attorney General, his friend, President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as members of the Baptist Boys’ High School Old Students Association, described the legal icon’s death as saddening, devastating and the end of an era.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Sunday in Abeokuta.

The governor said: “The death of this illustrious son of Ogun State, a celebrated jurist and judicial activist, public intellectual and elder statesman, is a severe blow to all of us who knew him

“Words cannot adequately convey my heartfelt sorrow over Papa’s death, for he was a kind and beautiful soul who spread love to all who encountered him.”

The governor recalled that Prince Ajibola, after serving as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, also served as the nation’s Number One Law officer, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, before he answering the call of higher duties at the International Court of Justice, The Hague.

“He was a jewel of the Law Profession and an accomplished judicial officer of prodigious hue. Baba was a go-getter who delivered on any assignment committed to his hands because of his belief that service should always come first.

“Besides, he was a great religious influencer and philanthropist who established the faith-based Crescent University in his hometown, Abeokuta.

“He not only supported but funded some other altruistic projects and promoted research and scholarship through his establishment of an Islamic co-educational institution, Crescent University, in Nigeria in 2005, and he served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN). He was also the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002”, the statement stated.

The governor, however, urged the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola, Otileta VII, the Olowu-in-Council, sons and daughters of the Ajibola lineage and the entire Gbadela Royal Dynasty of Owu to be consoled by the fact that the deceased selflessly and fervently served God and humanity during his impactful life on earth.

“On behalf of the government and people of Ogun State, I commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased on this very huge loss. I also commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari on the loss which signifies the dwindling class of sages in the country. I condole his bossom friend, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and all alumni of BBHS over the demise of a dependable ally and a loyal schoolmate and the Nigerian Judiciary over the loss of its greatest assets and Benchers. May the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement surmised.

Share.

Newsbarrelng is an independent online news outlet committed to credible journalism and responsible reporting. We cover politics, business, entertainment, sports, and social issues shaping Nigeria and the world at large. Our editorial process is guided by accuracy, fairness, and transparency. At Newsbarrelng, we believe informed citizens build a stronger society, and we strive to provide news that reflects the realities, voices, and aspirations of people.

Related Posts

Ikangba Community Urges Ogun Governor to Intervene in Land Crisis, Cites Threat to Lives The people of Ikangba Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to urgently intervene in an escalating land dispute which they alleged had resulted in harassment, sporadic shootings and threats to the lives of residents. The community made the appeal at a press conference, where its representatives expressed concern that continued activities by individuals they described as alleged land grabbers could further threaten the peace and security of the area. According to the Oluweri Osundekun, secretary of the Yeye-imule Family Descendants Of Ijebu-ode who addressed the press said that the crisis had also involved the alleged deployment of security personnel in attempts to take possession of its ancestral land, prompting the intervention of security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force. The community alleged that two of its indigenes were previously arrested and detained at the DSS office in Abeokuta in connection with the dispute, but were later released after documentary evidence supporting the community’s position was presented and reviewed. It further claimed that the DSS Director, after hearing from the parties and examining the circumstances surrounding the dispute, warned those involved against actions capable of disrupting peace in Ikangba. The community said a similar intervention was made by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, who reportedly invited the parties, listened to their positions and warned the alleged land grabbers to stay away from the disputed property. Despite these interventions, the community alleged that harassment had continued, with reports of maiming and sporadic shooting on the disputed land. The people of Ikangba also alleged that the alleged land grabbers enjoyed the backing of the Idowa traditional institution, particularly the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, whom they accused of contributing to the persistence of the crisis. However, the community stressed that it was not seeking to prejudge the matter or usurp the powers of the courts and security agencies, but wanted the dispute resolved through lawful and due process. It said it had already approached the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant security agencies, while also appealing to the state government for intervention. The community therefore urged Governor Abiodun to direct a thorough and impartial investigation into the dispute, protect all parties involved and ensure that ownership of the land was determined through due process. It also called for an immediate halt to the alleged use of security personnel or private agents to intimidate residents, stressing that no individual should be allowed to use influence or connections to dispossess citizens of their ancestral property. The community appealed to the leadership of the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that their personnel were not used, directly or indirectly, to enforce private claims in land disputes. While calling on all parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peaceful resolution, the people of Ikangba warned that nobody should be allowed to enter the disputed land with firearms, threaten residents, maim anyone or engage in sporadic shooting while the matter is being resolved. The community urged the Governor, Commissioner of Police, DSS leadership, Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent further escalation. It said its primary demands were justice, peace and protection, stressing that it did not want violence or confrontation with security agencies or traditional institutions. The community appealed to the media to amplify its concerns, saying urgent intervention was necessary to prevent the crisis from claiming an innocent life. The people of Ikangba maintained that they remained committed to peaceful resolution of the dispute and expressed confidence that the state government would ensure that the rule of law prevailed.

Leave A Reply