Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governor Dapo Abiodun, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Aremo Segun Osoba, and Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Tunji Sarafa Isola on Sunday extolled the virtues of former Attorney General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, AbdulJabar Bola Ajibola, saying the Owu Prince used everything had to serve God and humanity.
Vice President Osinbajo who spoke at the burial of Justice Ajibola, recalled that he was a Special Adviser to the former Justice of the International Court Hague, Netherlands, stressing that the octogenarian’s love for knowledge and education informed why he sacrificed all his life savings and properties to establish Crescent University Abeokuta.
Prince Ajibola died on Saturday night following age related ailments and his
remains were buried after a well attended Janazah prayer led by the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheik Sa’dallah Bamgbola, inside the Islamic Mission for Africa(IMA) premises, a centre he established decades ago on Abiola Way area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
Dignitaries who were on ground to bid the deceased the final farewell included governor Dapo Abiodun who was represented by the deputy governor, Noimot Salako – Oyedele, Chief Justice of the State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheik Sa’dallah Bamgbola, Senator – elect for Ogun Central, Alh. Shuaib Salisu, former federal lawmaker, Kunle eAdeyemi among others.
Osinbajo who arrived the burial venue at about 4.57pm, said late Ajibola mentored him, adding that the jurist’s legacies would endure for a long-time.
And speaking with newsmen shortly after the interment of the legal giant, he recalled that his personal interaction with him as aide would be indelible in his heart.
“Prince Bola Ajibola was someone I worked with as a Special Adviser when he was the Attorney General of the Federation and one thing he demonstrated was his believe for Nigeria, and that one could serve in the public domain with integrity.
“I am sad that he is no more. As Segun, his first born has said that I am actually his first born. It’s a great honor that I know him and he mentored me,” Osinbajo said.
Also, Governor Abiodun who spoke through his deputy, Salako – Oyedele, prayed for the peaceful repose of Ajibola
And in his condolence message earlier, the governor described the late justice as a jewel of the Law Profession and an accomplished judicial officer of prodigious hue.
He commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation’s judiciary and the family of former on the death of the former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, describing his death as a big loss to the judiciary.
He said his legacies in the judiciary, philanthropy and the educational development of Nigeria would never be forgotten.
Abiodun 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, over the death of the legal icon.
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. Maybe we the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement noted.
Also, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, His Excellency, Sarafa Tunji Isola, has described the death of a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN, as a loss to the entire world.
The Envoy, in a condolence letter to the eldest child of the deceased, Prince Segun Ajibola, SAN, said the late outstanding lawyer and eminent Jurist was a noble Prince, a Godly humanist, an adherent Muslim, an outstanding legal luminary, an erudite judge, a quintessential diplomat and a committed educationist.
“His contributions to the legal field and to Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts were invaluable. His footprints in the field of education as founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta will remain indelible, and his legacies will be remembered for generations to come.
“As an erstwhile Attorney-General of Nigeria and President of Nigeria Bar Association, onetime Judge of the International Court of Justice in Hague, and past High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, he served his country with distinction, dignity, and honour. His tireless efforts in the promotion of the rule of law, human rights and justice were an inspiration to many, and his impact on the legal profession was profound as he received both national and international accolades.
“Please know that my thoughts and prayers and that of the entire Nigeria High Commission are with you and your family at this poignant moment. I hope that you will find comfort in the knowledge that your father’s contributions and achievements will continue to be celebrated and honoured for many years to come.
“While praying to God, the Almighty to grant him Jannatul Firdaus, I also pray that He provides you and all the loved ones that he has left behind the courage to bear this painful loss. Please accept my condolences,” the High Commissioner wrote.
…..He Was Passionate About education And Law — Osoba
In his tribute, Aremo Olusegun Osoba described the late Bola Ajibola as a passionate personality whose interest in education and law cannot be rivaled.
Osoba noted that Ajibola had to sell almost all his properties to set up a University, when the burden to contribute to the development of education in the country was rife.
“Ajibola was a thorough prince of Egbaland, who believes in the legacies of our forefathers.
“He invested everything he had into education and law in Egbaland, Nigeria and the World as judge of the world court in the Hague. We will miss him”, he added
…My Father Was Passionate About Nigeria – Eldest Son
Also speaking, the first son of the deceased, Segun Ajibola, described his father as a passionate personality whose interest is the unity of the country.
Segun stated that his father will be solely missed for his sense of humor, generosity and religious beliefs.
“As you can see, we are making all arrangements possible to lay him down for God almighty to take charge of this afternoon so that’s why we are all here making several efforts.
“We want to thank all those who have called us from far and wide, from the world courts, from across the country, from the north, from the east, all over, friends, family and a lot of people who our father has worked with over the years.
“Internationally, they have all heard about it and they have been calling us and sending us their best wishes. What we ask for is that all those who wish us well keep us in their prayers this day and the day ahead of us as we continue with all the efforts to give him a befitting burial.
“My dad was a very passionate person, very deep and highly religious in all the efforts he has made in establishing a university which has an Islamic flavor in terms of the Islamic center he has set up and the way he has conducted himself and his life within the tenet’s of the religion as well as he could possibly do.
“For us, as a father, he meant so many things, he was very loving, clearing but he was a strict disciplinarian, very firm and very tough, a thorough personality as he never allowed us to get out of hand in anyway he could help, and we remember him for his high level of humor.
“My dad was a extreme humorous person and generous to a fault, we are all beneficiaries of his love and his affection and his wisdom and discipline, we will miss him dearly without a doubt”, he added
…..He Was A Beacon Of Pride And Valour – Daniel
Former Governor and Senator-elect for Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described late Ajibola as a beacon of pride and valour, a leading example for many of us while in school.
Daniel said, “On behalf of my family, the good people of Ogun East and entire Ogun residents, I commiserate with the family of Prince Abduljabar Bola Ajibola on the demise of an icon and finest jurist”.
“Prince Ajibola and I shared a close relationship in both private and public lives”.
“As an alumnus of Baptist Boys High School he was a beacon of pride and valour, a leading example for many of us while in school”.
“In the service of our fatherland, Prince Ajibola played a significant role at the national and International level, more so that we had to pull him out of retirement to serve as the first Chairman of The Elders Consultative Forum in the state during my administration as the Governor of Ogun State”.
“Through the Elders Consultative Forum (which served as our own local version of the House of Lords in Ogun State), Prince Ajibola was able to bring about several peace initiatives and resolved many difficult political and social crises in the State”.
“As a lover of education, I recall how we encourage Prince Ajibola to pursue his own passion for the establishment of The Crescent University in Abeokuta, also in Ogun State”.
“Prince remained one of the most courageous, dutiful, patriotic and peace-loving jurists in our nation’s history”.
“Ogun state has lost a dear son, Nigeria has lost an idol.”
….His Investments In The Education Can’t Be Forgotten – VC Crescent University
Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, a tertiary institution founded by the legal luminary, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila eulogized the attributes of the founder, saying his investments in the education cannot be forgotten.
“It is indeed a sad occasion for the nation we have lost an icon, we have to remember the service the proprietor Ajibola has provided to the nation.
“When he retired at 70, was when he decided to found a university as he was concerned about the loss of our students especially those traveling abroad when there are opportunities here as well.
“The number of students capability at that time and totally caring capacity of universities was only 350,000, so, when his license for a university was able to proceed to found Crescent University as a way of assisting other private universities.
“We still have a challenge in terms of the number of students sitting JAMB, how he is always concerned about that and of course he was concerned about brain drain”, the VC noted
Prince Bola Ajibola, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice died at a Lagos hospital, Sunday, aged 89.
