Oyebode

CELEBRATING A DISTINGUISHED JURIST AND SCHOLAR OF REPUTE: PROFESSOR AKIN OYEBODE

By

Seye Adetunmbi

There couldn’t have been a better time to celebrate Professor Akindele Babatunde Oyebode than now that he has met the mandatory retirement age as a lecturer at University of Lagos, Nigeria.  The Professor of Law and Chairman, Office of International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects at University of Lagos, Nigeria has joined the septuagenarian league to the glory of God. Naturally in all human endeavours, whatever has a beginning must have an end; however what makes this one a unique happy ending is how eventful the academic career has been, coupled with the special grace of finishing well by celebrating 70^th natal day anniversary which has made it a double celebration for the Oyebode family. No doubt, family members and friends of the erudite legal luminary have every reason to appreciate God for the marvelous thing He has done in the life of Professor Akin Oyebode. His students, professional colleagues, wide range of multifaceted associates, kinsmen and old school mates do have so many beautiful things to say about the brilliant professor of jurisprudence. That the academic and jurist of repute stands out in reputation may not be a surprise to those who have known him over the years.

Prof Akin Oyebode LLM, D. Jur. BL MNIM
Most of the distinguished people in the contemporary world often have something outstanding usually peculiar to them and what a remarkable gem is often noted for is a reflection of the inner self and values that drive the person’s convictions. One thing that cannot be taken away from Professor Akin Oyebode is the fact that he stands for honour, integrity and honorable ways generally. His word is his bond. A discerning person can figure out his position and views on national or world issues and you can know where he stands with you at every point in time without pretenses. Relatively, most upright people are comfortable with him while he keeps the company of respectable citizens. His inimitable personality earned him respect in the academic community and various constituencies he is associated with.

On December 9^th 1947, the prominent Oyebode family of Ikole-Ekiti was blessed with the birth of an exceptional child, christened Akindele Babatunde. The notable child was born in Ado-Ekiti to Chief Zacheaus Oladipo Oyebode and Madam Janet Olarewaju Oyebode. His father was a product of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti with the school number 38/012 and at various times the patriarch served in the army, worked as a school teacher, party apparatchik and social worker in the civil service. His parents wanted the best for their children as reflected in the schools Professor Oyebode and other members of the clan attended.

Prof Akin Oyebode (sitting 1st left) with other prefects of Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti in 1966 with the school principal, Canon L.D. Mason and Venerable R.A. Ogunlade

The academic brilliance of Professor Oyebode started in Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti where he had his secondary education from 1960 to 1966 with the school number 60/057 and his excellent character earned him a place among the school prefects in his senior class. He passed out with grade one in his West African School Certificate Examination. A product of Harvard Law School in 1974 to 1975, holds LL.M. with Highest Distinction (Otlichnik) from Kiev State University, Kiev, Ukraine in 1973 and Doctor of Jurisprudence from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada in 1988. His scholarship, prizes and fellowship include JFK Essay Competition School Level Winner in 1966, Soviet Institute of World Economy and International Relations Scholarship in 1967, Harvard University Tuition Fellowship in 1974, Ford Foundation/International Legal Center Fellowship in 1974 and York University Graduate Assistantship 1981.

The inaugural lecture of Professor Akin Oyebode in 2011, University of Lagos auditorium was full to the brim

The professor started his academic career at University of Lagos in 1973 as an Assistant Lecturer. He became Lecturer Grade II in 1976, Lecturer Grade I in 1978 and Senior Lecturer in 1981. In 1992, he became professor and dean, faculty of law, Ondo State University now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Some of his administrative activities included being a member of the university governing council in 1994 to 1997, member of finance and general purposes committee in 1994 to 1997, member of development committee in 1992 to 1997, member of committee of deans in 1992 to 1997, member of Senate in 1992 to 1997, member of appointments and promotions committee in 1992 to 1997, member of senior staff disciplinary committee in 1994 to 1997, member of housing loans committee in 1992 to 1994, member of joint committee for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor in 1993, chairman, security committee in 1994 to 1997, chairman of committee of inquiry into the missing dumpy level in 1994, chairman of committee on financing a functional university health centre in 1994 to 1995, chairman of committee on merger of the physical planning unit with the department of works and services in 1995, member of sub-committee on planning unit structure       in 1993 and chairman of committee on excess workload in 1995 to 1996. He held appointment as the Head of Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Lagos and the Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti-State University in 2002-2004.

On 60th birthday of Prof Akin Oyebode in 2007

Oyebode clan

At University of Lagos, his exposure to administrative duties included being a member of appointments and promotions committee in 1999 to 2000 & 2006, member of Senate Honours Committee 2006, member of selection committee for the appointment of University Registrar in 2005, Head of Department in 2004, member of the board of school of postgraduate studies in 2004 to 2006, member of academic programmes committee, school of postgraduate studies in 2004 to 2006, chairman of postgraduate students’ disciplinary committee in 2005, chairman of International School Management Board in 2000, member of central research committee in 1999 to 2000,  chairman of faculty research committee in 1999 to 2000, co-ordinator of the faculty LL.M. programme in1989 to 1990, member of 5-year LL.B. curriculum committee in  1990, the faculty/departmental representative at post-graduate board of studies in 1986 to 1990, member of post-graduate school admissions committee in 1989/90, member of university publications committee in 1988 to1990, member of committee on sexual harassment in 1990, member of selection committee for the appointment of university registrar in 1988/89, member of advisory committee on students’ feeding  in 1988/89, member of senate of the University of Lagos in 1988 to 1990 and 1998 to 2017, chairman of ad-hoc panel of investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Master S.A. Ogundubore at the University of Lagos swimming pool in 1998, member of ad-hoc panel of investigation into the constitutional controversy within the university students’ union in 1989, chairman of the faculty committee on admission requirements in 1989, member of committee of inquiry to investigate alleged activities of proscribed students’ societies on campus in 1984, member of university library committee in 1981 to 1983, Assistant Warden, New Hall, Phase III in 1980 to 1982, member of the faculty admissions committee in 1979 to 1981, member of faculty departmentalization committee     in 1978, member of LL.B. (evening) regulations committee in 1977 and faculty examination officer in 1978/1979

Some of his travel grants and awards were:

·        First Foreign Graduate to be inducted into the Permanent Roll of Honour of Kiev State University in 1973

·        UN Travel Grant for the International Law Commission Seminar, Geneva  in 1976

·        UN Travel Grant for the Seminar on the New International Economic Order, Geneva in      1977

·        French Government Travel Grant for the Colloquium on the Life of the Law in Africa, Centre d’Etudes Jurisdiques Comparative, University of Paris 1, Sorbonne 1977

·        Travel Grant to attend the Joint Annual Convention of the British International Studies Association and the International Studies Association, London in 1980

·        Juche Academy of Science Study Tour of North Korea in1989

·        National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADL) Distinguished Jurist Award            , 2002

·        Nigerian Association of Law Teachers Long Service Award in 2004

·        Outstanding Law Teacher Award, Justice Chambers, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2005

·        Best Lecturer Award, Final-Year Students, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos in 2005, 2006

He is a member of front-line learned societies and leading professional associations such as Nigerian Society of International Law, American Society of International Law, International Law Association, Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, Nigerian Bar Association and Nigerian Institute of Management. He has over 31 books and monographs, over 82 journal articles as well as many research works and numerous unpublished major conference and seminar papers to his credit.

Maiden EXCO meeting of Ekitipanupo in 2005

When duty called for him to lead Ekitipanupo Forum, he responded accordingly as the pioneer leader of the indigenous intellectual roundtable of well meaning Ekiti people at home and abroad

Prof Akin Oyebode, the pioneer leader of Ekitipanupo at the 1^st Ekitipanupo Public Lecture held at Adetiloye Hall on April 7, 2007 in Ado-Ekiti, flanked left to right by Prof Demola Omojola, Chief Aderiye, Dr Ayo Ajayi, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, High-Chief Babatola & Chief Bolanle Olatunde

At Ekiti Stakeholders' meeting held in Ibadan in November 2006

Condolence visit to the family of Dr Ayo Daramola on behalf of Ekitipanupo Forum

Prof on 29/8/11 with Alagba Paul Olatoye, Chief Bukola Oluwadiya & Seye Adetunmbi in Lagos

The other activities of Professor Oyebode include being a guest lecturer in public international law, law of the sea and outer space at Foreign Service Academy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lagos; member of board of directors of African and African-American Foundation on Science, Education and Economic Development Inc., New York; chairman and editor-in-chief, Nigerian Journal of Contemporary Law; member of editorial board, Lagos State University Law Journal; member of editorial board, University of Jos Law Journal; member of editorial board, Journal of Human Rights Law and Practice; member of editorial advisory council, The News; contributing editor, Environment Network; expert consultant, National Boundary Commission; consultant, Civil Liberties Organization; member, advisory board, Centre for Human Rights and Development; consultant, UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, Vienna; Chair, International Advisory Board, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; chair, board of governors, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre; member of board of Trustees, National Association of Democratic Lawyers; member of board of directors, Centre for Advanced Social Science; editorial consultant, Guardian Newspapers; chairman, Catholic secretariat of Nigeria think-tank; member of advisory board of Leadership Watch; and member of the board of trustees, Ekitipanupo Community Development Association.

Wedding ceremony of Akintunde Oyebode

The international jurist and an academic of note is an exemplary family man. God in His faithfulness blessed his marriage to Chief Mrs Morenike Abosede Oyebode who retired as a senior official of West African Examination Council; with successful children: Akintunde, Akindeji and Olajumoke. To the glory of God he is a grandfather.

Professor Oyebode is indeed a blessing to Nigeria having produced many qualified lawyers in the country that have occupied and still occupying strategic positions in government at states and federal level. Naturally, he is a pride of Ekiti people which unequivocally earned him the position of pioneer leadership of Ekitipanupo Forum, the preeminent indigenous intellectual roundtable for Ekiti people at home and in Diaspora. He represented Ekiti State in the last national conference during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The last convocation of Prof Akin Oyebode as a staff of University of Lagos

Memorable valedictory session of the University of Lagos Senate on November 29th, 2017

What else can one say to this towering profile of an intellectual giant? It would amount to understating it that I admire Prof Oyebode a lot. It is a rare privilege for me to be associated with him. It gives me great joy that he has confidence in me and trust me as his stockbroker. When I needed him, he stood by me with his substance as one of my encouragers and inspirers in my professional career path. Thanks for believing and for the integrated support over the years each time I approached him for one thing or the other including Ekitipanupo initiative. I wish oga more years in good health with peace of mind in retirement. Happy 70^th birthday and fruitful retired life sir.

Afe Babalola

AARE AFE BABALOLA: A LIVING LEGEND
By
Seye Adetunmbi, 21/10/2017

In every generation, God has a way of blessing mankind with a few akoni-eda (exceptional colossus individuals) whose ways and accomplishments would be confounding to their fellow countrymen. Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) is one of such rare distinguished few in Nigeria. He is an Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). Aare was the former pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Onetime chairman of the committee of pro-chancellors of Nigerian universities. Winner of the best pro-chancellor award in 2005 and 2006 and winner of Queen Victoria commemorative award at Socrates award of European business assembly in Oxford, UK; member of the Rector of Europe, October 2007; vice president, Rector of Europe 2010; and honorary professor of an international university. His over $2b investment in education has resulted to over 6,727+ beneficiaries and to his credit are large quantities of crops and animal production of different species in his integrated mechanized farm. 

Aare Afe Babalola B.Sc (Econs) Lond; LL.B (Hons) Lond; FFPA, FNIALS, FCIArb, LL.D; Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Doctor of Letters (LL.D)

In September 2017, he bagged the latest award of a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa), in appreciation of his “service to the nation and significant contributions to human development” from Nigeria Defence Academy University, Kaduna during their 28th Convocation ceremony. Earlier honorary awards include Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) University of Ado-Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, 2000; Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) (D.Litt) Kogi State University, 2012; Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) University of Lagos, February 2013; Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) University of Jos, March 2013 and Doctor of Management (honoris causa), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), 2014 as well as Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) University of London.

He has handled over 10,600 court cases as a solicitor and general advocate, many of which were landmark cases some of which could have scared away the cowardly. He is also an honorary alumnus of Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti. The exemplary Ekiti man brought honour to Nigeria when he bagged Doctor of Law from the University of London. The award made him to belong to the elite class of honorary recipients of the degree of the University of London, having been preceded by only two Africans in the history of the University, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The award from London has made Chief Afe Babalola a living legend. This distinguished status and outstanding recognition has been described by the emeritus  Prof Michael Omolewa as “a symbol of victory over all forces that hinder growth, a real demonstration of the point that one can make it to the very top by perseverance, and without the initial advantage of rich parents, powerful contact and connections, and even against all odds, the limitation of wealth and the disadvantage of place of birth or ethnic origins. The award also offers the recognition for the investment in neighbours and the wider society of kindness, sensitivity, and passion for the pursuit of excellence.”

    Aare Afe Babalola who is a giant today had a very humble beginning, his life story of success will remain an inspiration for indigent students and struggling Africans that where there is a will there is way, God being one's helper. He started off as a teacher enrolled for the Senior Cambridge School Certificate examination by private study with the help of tuition courses which he ordered from the Wolsey Hall, Oxford.  

He  left Ado-Ekiti for Ibadan on January 5th 1948 with determination not to return to his hometown until he had obtained a university degree. After passing the Senior Cambridge School Certificate examination, he obtained B. Sc degree in Economics through private study. His determination through private study later earned him degree in Law from the University of London as an external candidate. Subsequent to traveling for the mandatory stay at an Inn in England, he returned to Ibadan to establish his legal practice, Emmanuel Chambers. His diligence and dedication to law profession earned him Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and his law firm has trained over a thousand eminent lawyers more than twelve of whom became SANs and four of whom became Attorney Generals and Ministers of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 

Baba Afe remains the hugest private investor in Ekiti and will unequivocally for some time remain the highest tax payer in the state of Nigeria. What an amazing character and an uncommon personality! A man who had his formal education terminated at the primary education level and went ahead to acquire the secondary school certificate, and later the bachelor of science education in Economics and the Law degrees as a private student. The man never studied at any university yet God had used him to establish one of the best private universities in Africa. With the establishment of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), which continues to grow by the day as the pride of Africa, the founder has joined the league of very few people with rare grace of turning a virgin forest to a city. Aare Afe Babalola, odundun asodero igirabtalokun, o so aginju d'ulu

A prominent member of Ekitipanupo Forum and an unequaled pillar of support for the preeminent Ekiti indigenous intellectual roundtable. ABUAD hosted 10th anniversary celebration and 2nd public lecture of the forum in 2015. It was indeed a rare honour for Ekitipanupo Forum to appreciate the distinguished Ekiti man who holds 2015 Ekitipanupo Timeless Merit Award and made him the chairman of the first Ekitipanupo colloquium held in 2016.



The commissioning of the ultra modern 400-bed ABUAD Teaching Hospital on October 20th 2017 has put Ekiti-State on the world map as a medical care tourism destination to the glory of God.
Ajinde ara a ma je fun Baba l'oruko Jesu, amin.

J.O.O. Ojo

CHIEF JOSEPH OLADAYO ONI OJO (1917-1975)

THE QUINTESSENTIAL IFAKI MAN OF HONOUR

By

Seye Adetunmbi

Contemporarily, very few elites and early educated men made impact outside their place of birth and yet left so much to be adored in their locality, their place of birth. One of such great men was Chief Joseph Oladayo Ojo. He was born in 1917 into the family of Chief Ojo Abudu in Ifaki. His father among the three people that were instrumental to how Methodist Church got to Ifaki. His mother, Chief Mrs Abigail Ojo was the Iya-Ijo of Methodist Church, Ilogbe Quarter in Ifaki-Ekiti.

    He was a product of Wesley College, Ibadan the famous teacher training institution in Nigeria which he attended in 1936 to 1940. He held double B.A. degree from University of London, and Fourah Bay College of Durham University, Sierra-Leone as an external candidate and MA (English) London. Also bagged Master of Arts (MA) from University of London. Chief Ojo was a devout Christian, a great supporter, promoter and beneficiary of Methodism in Nigeria. He was one of the earliest University graduates in Ifaki; he was noted as the first degree holder. At a stage he was considered the most highly placed number one indigene in Ifaki community.

    Chief J.O.O. Ojo a.k.a. “Ojo Abudu” assumed the mantle of leadership in his community naturally, by virtue of his unequaled influence among his peers and his sincere love for Ifaki community. His Royal Majesty Oba Olayisade conferred him with the honorary title of Eletolua during the official commissioning of Ifaki Grammar School in 1958, the year the first set of the school moved to its permanent site. That very day the song composed by Chief D.O. Adetunmbi 'Ohun rere ha ĺe jade lati Nasareti wa?'  was rendered by the students.

   He was the first old student to be the Principal of the famous Wesley College, Ibadan. He administered the school for over a decade. It is also on record as the first African/Nigerian principal of the College. Many Ifaki Methodist sons were trained at the Wesley College during his tenure as Headmaster. Both the privileged and the underprivileged benefited from his benevolence. He was instrumental to most of the social developmental moves in the community through out his lifetime.

   The establishment of Ifaki Grammar School though a community school project was greatly supported by the Methodist Mission through his unparalleled contacts. At his prime, he was like the foreman and source of inspiration for the progressive elites in the community because of his unalloyed desire for rapid development and growth of Ifaki. The great lover of cultural activities and an amiable character was highly respected and loved by his people.

  In 1967, he was appointed the Education Secretary to the old Western State Government in Nigeria. He was also one-time Executive Secretary of an education project in the College of Education at University of Lagos.

    His wife, Chief Mrs Ojo was honored with chieftaincy title along with Chief D. O. Adetunmbi and Chief Mercy Fayemi in 1974 by His Royal Majesty Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle II, the Olufaki of Ifaki of blessed memory.

    As a little boy I looked at him with reverence each time he visited Ifaki whenever I saw him. My father’s association with Chief Ojo could be described as strictly official, regarding the community assignments. He was the one who signed the letter on behalf of Ifaki community requesting Chief Adetunmbi to leave Ekitiparapo College, Ido-Ekiti to join hands with Chief J. O. Adeoya to start Ifaki Grammar School in 1957. The subsequent few encounters they might have had were actuated by their common interest to see to the progress of Ifaki community.

Chief Ojo signed the marriage register of Prof & Mrs Babatunde Adelusi on January 30, 1966

    Although he was not resident in Ifaki yet the presence of Chief Ojo was felt, while other elites resident in Ifaki were committed to follow up and monitor all the progressive efforts initiated by the Ifaki Progressive Union and applicable quarters in the community. However, necessary consultations were made with Chief Ojo to facilitate the realisation of communal projects. His death was too sudden for his people to bear. He was their pride, and the hope of the community at the time he passed-on. They looked up to him individually and communally.

Caucusian Rev J Jones, Rev Babatope, Chief Ojo, Oba Ojo, Omotunde; J Ogunmoroti, D.A Famoroti, SB, JO Adeoya, Rev Ale Chief M.A. Fakuade

Chief Ojo was called to the great beyond on the 19th of March 1975 at the age of 58 years; he was survived by his wife and children.