Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, are set to join other prominent figures in Ado-Ekiti next Monday to commemorate the 60th Call to Bar anniversary of legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola, SAN. The event, organized by Aare Babalola’s mentees, admirers, and beneficiaries, will be held at the Alfa Belgore Hall, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Afe Babalola, renowned founder of Afe Babalola University and Vanguard Columnist, was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales on July 9, 1963. This celebration will mark his remarkable 60-year journey as a lawyer.
The ceremony will feature a public lecture titled “The future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria: Imperative of a new constitutional order,” to be delivered by Bishop Matthew Kukah. Former President Obasanjo will preside as the Chairman of the occasion.
The event will be graced by esteemed guests, including the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, and representatives from the University of London and King’s College London. Distinguished individuals from the legal fraternity, academia, royalty, clergy, captains of industry, as well as members of the diplomatic community, will also attend.
Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, revealed that the celebrations would involve testimonials, goodwill messages, and a book launch. Funds raised from the book launch will be utilized for the construction of the ABUAD museum. The day’s activities will culminate in a celebration dinner featuring a performance by the renowned musician King Sunny Ade.
Aare Afe Babalola’s contributions to Nigerian law and justice are unparalleled. He has served as the President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria and has been invited as an amicus curiae by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on several occasions. Additionally, he has trained over 1,000 lawyers and mentored 25 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including numerous Attorneys-General and appellate court judges.
As a devoted educationist, Aare Afe Babalola served two terms as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the University of Lagos, where he won the Best Pro-Chancellor Award twice. He also founded Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), which has been ranked as the top university in Nigeria and 321st globally by the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
In recognition of his significant contributions, Aare Afe Babalola has received over 50 titles and awards worldwide, including honorary doctorates from esteemed institutions such as the University of London, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and the Nigerian Defence Academy. He has also been honored with the Zik Prize in Leadership, Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Award, AU-ECOSOCC Leadership Award, and various traditional titles. His outstanding achievements have earned him national honors, including the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
This grand event serves as a testament to Aare Afe Babalola’s enduring impact on the legal profession, education, and society as a whole. His remarkable journey continues to inspire and elevate the legal community, reaffirming his status as a rare gem with timeless relevance in the world.
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