President Muhammadu Buhari and other eminent leaders have opened condolences after Sunday’s demise of former Minister of Justice AbdulJabar Bola Ajibola.
Ajibola a former judge of the International Court of Justice and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has passed on at the age of 89.
While commiserating with the legal community in Nigeria and worldwide, President Buhari noted in a statement by Special Adviser, Femi Adesina, 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.
“The legendary arbitrator was at different times, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (1984-1985), President, The World Association of Judges, Chairman, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and President, World Bank Administrative Tribunal among other notable accomplishments.
“President Buhari avers that the late Ajibola, having risen to the pinnacle of his career, took his brilliance in law practice to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, where he served meritoriously between 1991 and 1994. He was also the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, 1999 to 2002.
“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,” the President said.
President Buhari also sympathises with the government and people of Ogun State as they mourn this illustrious citizen for the educational and social development he brought to his community and environs.”
He Made Huge Contributions to Jurisprudence- President-Elect
Also, President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the demise of eminent elder statesman.
Tinubu said Ajibola made eminent contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and nation-building, legal profession and international jurisprudence.
In a condolence statement by his Media Office, the President-elect said: “I received the news of the passing, on Sunday, of Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN at 89, with profound sadness.
“The former Nigeria’s 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.
“During his earthly sojourn, 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).
“As ICJ Judge, Justice Ajibola made his mark as one of the brightest legal minds in the world in many decided cases involving state actors across the world. Through his excellent performance, he brought honour and dignity to Nigeria.
“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 home-town.
“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.
“Although we had hoped and prayed that Prince Ajibola would still be around with us for a little more time to witness the dawn of a new era of renewed hope for our people in a better, stronger, more secure and more prosperous Nigeria, however, we thank Almighty Allah that he lived to an advanced age and left behind important legacies.
“I join his immediate family, associates, professional colleagues and particularly Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and the good people of the state for the loss of this great son of the Gateway State and Nigeria.
I pray that Almighty Allah admit him to Aljanna Fridaus.”
I’m Pained By His Death- Atiku
In a statement he issued in Abuja, Abubakar described the former Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice of Nigeria (1985 – 1991) as a great man of impeccable virtue.
Abubakar said that he was “pained but happy because, being a Muslim, I am certain that Ajibola would himself, have elected to make his passing in the glorious month of Ramadan’’.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the March 18 election added that Ajibola would be remembered as a doyen of the law profession and a jurist of note.
“He did the country proud when he served at The International Court of Justice at The Hague, as well as during his years of service as Nigeria’s envoy to the United Kingdom.
“What was spectacular about the late eminent jurist was how his values of forthrightness and candour, which, by the way, is emblematic of his Egba heritage, reflected in all other spheres of his earthly engagements.
“As a diplomat, jurist and educationist, what was consistent about his character was his overwhelming presence of rectitude and forbearance in every of his endeavour.
“Those qualities of his personality are the secret codes to his achievements in life. I am sure that they are qualities that his family and friends will be proud of and immortalise in his memory,’’ Abubakar added.
He stated also that Ajibola was always at peace with his Creator and fellow humans when he was at this side of the divide.
“The legacies of his lifetime should be a beacon that should call younger Nigerians to an exemplary life that he lived,’’ he stressed.
Abubakar condoled with the Ajibola family and the good people and government of Ogun State over the loss of such an illustrious son.
He stated that Nigeria and the entire world would mourn the passing of such great man of impeccable virtues.
He prayed the Almighty God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to accept the passing of a patriarch, while praying that his soul be granted easy access into Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Ajibola, founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta, was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1984 to 1985.
He was also one of five commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, established through the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
He was the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002.
Here’s a Huge Loss for Nigeria- Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of the former Judge of International Court of Justice, Hague, Netherlands, Prince Bola Ajibola, describing his death as a big loss to the legal profession, the education sector, Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Sanwo-Olu described Prince Ajibola, former Nigerian Minister of Justice and Attorney General as a renowned jurist, seasoned administrator and philanthropist who served his country and the world meritoriously at different levels.
In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on Sunday, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the ex-ICJ Judge for his legacies, sacrifice and dedication to nation-building and service to mankind.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised Prince Ajibola’s contribution to the judiciary and education sectors as a lawyer, World Court Judge and founder of one of the foremost private universities in Nigeria, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The governor also commiserated with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the entire people of the State, especially, indigenes of Owu Kingdom, on the demise of their illustrious son and elder statesman.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Prince Bola Ajibola on the demise of our elder statesman and renowned jurist.
“Prince Ajibola lived a fulfilled life having made positive impacts during his lifetime. The elderly and wise counsel of the jurist will be sorely missed not only by his family but the entire people of Owu Kingdom and Ogun State where he played active roles in its development for many years before he passed on.
“I want to urge the late Prince Bola Ajibola’s family, friends, judiciary and education sectors and the entire people of Owu Kingdom to immortalise the good name of the late lawyer and educationist.
“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give his immediate family, friends and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”