Tributes as Former Justice Minister Bola Ajibola is Buried|Omohglobalnews

.             Justice Minister Bola Ajibola

By Emmanuel Oladesu; Robert Egbe; Oyebola Owolabi, Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta; Bolaji Ogundele, Sanni Onogu, Tony Akowe and Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

Tributes poured in for the late former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, who died yesterday. He was 89. Ajibola was buried according to Islamic rites. The late prince was the Oluomo of Egbaland and Olori Omo Oba of Owu Kingdom until his demise.

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Janazah (prayers) were led by the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheik Sa’dallah Bamgbola, after which the deceased’s remains were interred within the Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA) premises, on Abiola Way, Abeokuta. He established the centre decades ago.

Buhari mourns

President Muhammadu Buhari, in his condolence message to the Ajibola family, the government and people of Ogun State, commiserated with the legal community in Nigeria and worldwide He noted that the outstanding lawyer and eminent jurist used his God-given knowledge, intellect and talent to advocate for justice, fairness and equity in all his undertakings within and outside Nigeria.

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A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, reads: “His contributions to the development of our legal system cannot be overstated, serving as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice at a critical period in the nation’s history. His patriotic inclinations, integrity and passion for service and advancement of humanity will continue to resonate after him.”

Osinbajo: He was highly knowledgable

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who arrived at the funeral venue about 4.57pm, said the Ajibola mentored him, adding the jurist’s legacy will endure for a long time. He stressed that the deceased’s love for knowledge and education informed his sacrificing all his life savings and properties to establish Crescent University, Abeokuta.

“I am sad 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 added.

The High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Isola, described Ajibola’s death as a loss to the entire world.

The envoy, in a condolence letter, described him as ‘a noble prince, a godly humanist, an adherent Muslim, an outstanding legal luminary, an erudite judge, a quintessential diplomat and a committed educationist’.

‘Ajibola was concerned about education and law’

Former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba described the deceased as ‘a passionate personality whose interest in education and law cannot be rivaled’.

“Ajibola was a thorough prince of Egbaland who believed 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. We will miss him,” he added.

My father was passionate about Nigeria, says son

The deceased eldest son, 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.

“My dad was a very passionate person, very deep and highly religious. He meant so many things to us – he was very loving, caring but a strict disciplinarian, very firm and tough, a thorough personality as he never allowed us to get out of hand in any way he could help, and we remember him for his high level of humor. “We will miss him dearly without a doubt.

“We thank those who have called us from far and wide, from the world courts, from across the country, friends, family and those who our father worked with over the years, sending their best wishes. What we ask for is that you keep us in your prayers,” he added.

A man of patriotism, says Tinubu

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, said: “The former Minister of Justice and leader of the Bar was an eminent statesman and legal icon whose contributions to national progress and development will be written in gold. Prince Ajibola didn’t just serve his country with his gift of extraordinary brilliance as a lawyer, he served the world as a Judge of International Court of Justice in Hague and Member of its Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

“In his later years, he devoted himself to the promotion of Islam and expansion of the frontier of knowledge through training and development of cutting-edge manpower for national growth with the establishment of Crescent University in Abeokuta, his hometown. Prince Ajibola will be remembered for his patriotism and love for Nigeria and his countrymen and women regardless of their ethnic origin or religious persuasions.”

‘Fine, authoritative voice’

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, described the late elder statesman as ‘an erudite lawyer and international jurist who left bold imprints on the study and practice of Law, both in and outside the shores of Nigeria’.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila said Nigerian legal profession has lost one of its finest and most authoritative voices.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement by his media aide, Lanre Lasisi, recalled that the late legal luminary was instrumental to the entrenchment of law and order for decades in Nigeria and across the globe. He said it is on record that many Nigerian lawyers went through the deceased’s tutelage.

Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun mourn ‘renowned

jurist, seasoned administrator’

•Ajibola a law legend, says Akeredolu

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described the late Prince Ajibola, as ‘a renowned jurist, seasoned administrator and philanthropist who served his country and the world meritoriously at different levels’. He also praised the deceased for his legacies, sacrifice and dedication to nation-building and service to mankind.

“My condolences to the family, friends and associates of Prince Bola Ajibola who lived a fulfilled life, having made positive impacts during his lifetime. His elderly and wise counsels will be missed, not only by his family, but the entire people of Owu Kingdom and Ogun State.”

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, described Ajibola’s death as a big loss to the judiciary, saying his legacies in the judiciary, philanthropy and the educational development would never be forgotten.

“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. May Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Abiodun said.

Akeredolu: He was law legend

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said the late Ajibola was a law legend.

A statement by him reads: “The sage, at the time of his passing, had already passed out of history into legend, such was his contribution to law at home in Nigeria, but also significant to the development of jurisprudence on the international scene as an innovative judge of ICJ.

“His jurisprudence, as well as general disposition, could be gleaned in his compassionate interpretation of Islam, and Crescent University will continue to be a tribute to a remarkable man. Prince Bola Ajibola did our country proud, and we should glow in the rare fortune of having such an icon and avatar as one of our own. May Almighty Allah overlook his earthly transgressions and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.”

NBA prays for Ajibola’s repose

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has prayed for the repose of Ajibola’s soul.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, on behalf of the president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), prayed God to forgive him and grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

FEC. mourns

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), in a statement authorised by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, recalled Prince Ajibola’s journey in the service of justice, describing him as a respectable judge.

The statement, by the Director of Information in the Office of the SGF, Willie Bassey, also acknowledged the deceased’s contribution to Nigeria’s education.

“…Prince Ajibola served as the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation from 1985-1991, under the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd). FEC condoles with the government and people of Ogun State, family and friends of the deceased, and pray God grants him Aljanah Firdaus.”