Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has paid his last respect to the late former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola at the burial in Abeokuta, Ogun State
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He described the late Ajibola, who was also a jurist at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Netherlands, and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, as “One the very earliest and most distinguished international arbitrators,” adding that he demonstrated integrity and altruism in his service in the public domain.
Prof. Osinbajo said he worked with the late Judge Ajibola as a Special Adviser when he was the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General.
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“Here was a man, who I first met when I was 28 years old or 29 years old when he appointed me as his special adviser to him at the time he was Federal Attorney-General and I worked with him from that time for about five years.
“I think that something he demonstrated while I worked with him was a belief in this nation, a belief in our country as a united nation, but more importantly is that one could serve in the public domain with integrity and with altruism.
“He demonstrated this all his life; first, he did not accept to be paid a salary when he was Attorney-General.”
Prof. Osinbajo recalled that the late Judge Ajibola informed him of his plans to sell all his property to raise funds to establish a university.
“At some point in his life, he told me that he wanted to establish a university, which turned out to be the Crescent University, and that he was going to sell everything that he owned to establish that university.
“I recall that he sold all the houses that he owned and several other things to be able to establish the Crescent University.
“He was a man who believed that the worth of a person is what he is able to give back to society and he demonstrated it throughout his life.
“So, I think it is a life that is ought to be celebrated and it is a life that is an example to us all. For me, he was an excellent role model.
He expressed sadness over the death of the late minister, saying “It is really a great honour to have known him and to have been mentored by him.”
Prof. Osinbajo was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Dolapo.
Also at the funeral were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele and former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba.
PIAK
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