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  • Nigerian universities need to learn from ABUAD, says Obasanjo

    Nigerian universities need to learn from ABUAD, says Obasanjo

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has urged universities in the country to learn from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti state how universities should be properly run.

    Obasanjo, who commended ABUAD for its intimidating academic and scholastic exploits within 15 years of its existence, said the institution had shown a perfect example of a 21st-century university with its global record of academic excellence.

    According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Tunde Olofintola, the ex-president spoke during a visit to inform the ABUAD’s founder, Chief Afe Babalola of his forthcoming birthday at the institution’s campus in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The ex-president noted that the meteoric rise and global visibility of the institution within the shortest time of its existence was not a fluke but rather the cumulative product of Babalola’s dedication, vision, commitment and determination.

    He commended ABUAD staff for keying into Babalola’s vision of establishing a 21st-century university that would teach others how institution towers should be run raising a new generation of leaders.

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    Obasanjo recalled with nostalgia how Babalola audaciously transformed the University of Lagos to become a model among federal universities in the country as the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

    He said: “I will not forget what he did to Education during my tenure as President by accepting to be Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the University of Lagos.

    “During his seven-year stint, he made the university become a model among federal universities in this country. His impact on UNILAG remains until today.”

    The ex-president described Babalola as a man full of surprises and Midas touch, imploring Nigerians to also learn from Babalola “how he has kept himself active from head to toe even at his age.”

    “My being asked to speak here today reminds me of the case of one Baba Ijo (the President of the Men’s Fellowship) who got to a church, and without notice, he was asked to pray.”

    He added: “Of course, this took him by surprise, but he summoned the courage to say: “In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. O kan mi ku” (this is a surprise or an ambush). And he sat down.

    “But in my own case today, I say in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. I am surprised, but I won’t sit down. If I knew I would be taken by surprise to speak here today, I would have waited for Aare in his office because I came to inform him of my forthcoming birthday (March 5) and to ask for his prayers as someone who is older than I am.”

    “But then, Aare Afe Babalola is full of surprises. He is a man who had lived by surprises. His university, Afe Babalola University is a surprise. Since I have known him, he has lived from one surprise to another. He has continued to give me one surprise or another. Since our paths crossed each other, Aare has been one of the few great encounters in my life.”

  • Ernest Chukwuma shines as ABUAD’s top medical graduate

    Ernest Chukwuma shines as ABUAD’s top medical graduate

    In a resounding testament to academic prowess, Ernest Chukwuma distinguished himself as the best graduating student among 161 newly-inducted medical doctors at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). His distinction underscores ABUAD’s commitment to nurturing academic excellence. In this special report, Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF writes that Chukwuma’s journey, fuelled by passion and inspired by mentors, embodies the university’s ethos of shaping future leaders in all fields of human endeavour.

    With the spotlight firmly fixed upon him, Ernest Chukwuma radiated an aura of exceptional brilliance during the February 9, 6th induction ceremony of the 161 newly-qualified medical doctors of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). Amidst the palpable anticipation of the event, Chukwuma’s momentous achievement as the best graduating medical student elevated him to a position of reverence among his peers and mentors alike.

    His ascent to this pinnacle of academic distinction was not merely a stroke of luck but a testament to his unwavering dedication and scholarly prowess. Within the hallowed halls of ABUAD, Chukwuma’s name had become synonymous with excellence, a beacon illuminating the path for aspiring medical professionals. Yet, his accolades did not end there. In a display of unparalleled mastery, Chukwuma etched his name into the annals of medical academia by securing five distinctions across a spectrum of medical specialties: Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Integrated Medical Courses, and Pathology. Each distinction served as a testament to his comprehensive understanding and mastery of the intricate nuances within the field of medicine.

    As the ceremony unfolded, Chukwuma’s remarkable journey resonated with all in attendance, serving as both inspiration and aspiration for the next generation of medical practitioners. His achievement was not merely a personal triumph but a collective celebration of the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines ABUAD’s ethos. In the wake of his triumph, Chukwuma stood as a living embodiment of the university’s commitment to nurturing intellectual curiosity and fostering academic excellence. His journey from a diligent student to the epitome of medical brilliance symbolised the transformative power of education and the boundless possibilities it offers to those who dare to dream.

    Amidst the applause and accolades that enveloped him, Chukwuma remained humble, his gaze fixed not on the laurels of the past but on the boundless horizons of the future. For him, the journey had only just begun, with each achievement serving as a stepping stone towards a future defined by service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the healing profession.

    Read Also; Governors, NSA join forces to battle insecurity, food crisis

    His journey towards stradom began in 2019, a pivotal moment midway through his MBBS programme, when Chukwuma’s remarkable intellect garnered international recognition. At the tender juncture of his medical studies, he was bestowed with an honourary Doctor of Science Degree (D.Sc.), with a Fellowship of the International Agency for Standards and Ratings. This prestigious honour was a testament to his groundbreaking research and scholarly acumen.

    Chukwuma’s ascent to scholarly stardom was catalysed by his groundbreaking  research article titled “Theory of Photon Quanta.” This seminal work not only elucidated intricate scientific principles but also garnered global acclaim. In a feat unparalleled, Chukwuma’s research emerged victorious among 5,547 nominations, triumphing over 87 meticulously screened contenders to clinch the esteemed 2019 Global Championship Award in Science.          

    Published in the revered Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, a physics and space science journal, Chukwuma’s research reverberated across academic circles, challenging conventional paradigms and pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry. His visionary insights and meticulous methodology captured the imagination of scholars worldwide, cementing his status as a luminary in the realm of scientific inquiry. The Annual World Championship in Science Award, organised by the International Agency for Standards and Ratings, stands as a testament to excellence in academia. This prestigious event recognises the best among the brightest, honouring exemplary theses, dissertations and milestone research articles from distinguished scientists and academics across the globe.        

    Amid the fervour of international acclaim, Chukwuma’s unwavering commitment to excellence remained steadfast. His journey, marked by relentless pursuit and unwavering dedication, symbolised the transformative power of intellect and the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream. In the annals of scientific history, Chukwuma’s name would forever be etched as a beacon of ingenuity, a testament to the indomitable human spirit, and a harbinger of discoveries yet to unfold. His meteoric rise from a budding medical student to a celebrated scholar exemplified the power of passion, perseverance and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

    The announcement of Chukwuma’s award resonated with the gravity of his achievement, as his research article emerged victorious amid stiff competition, prevailing over 5,547 nominations meticulously scrutinised from a pool of 87 contenders for the coveted title of the World Championship in Science for the year 2019. This accolade carried with it international validation, underscoring the global significance of his contributions to the field of scientific inquiry.

    The mandate of the World Championship in Science Award, as articulated in the announcement, is to spotlight and celebrate exceptional scientists and academics from across the globe. Chukwuma’s inclusion in this prestigious roster of honourees positioned him alongside luminaries such as Dr. Xiaohui Song from the United States, Dr. Hiroshi Bando from Japan, Dr. Ingo Schmidt from Germany, Dr. Yasin Idweini from Jordan and Dr. Kenichi Meguro from Japan, each of whom had left an indellible mark in their respective fields of expertise.

    Yet, behind Chukwuma’s meteoric rise to scholarly prominence lay a profound source of inspiration: his unwavering admiration for Albert Einstein, the iconic German physicist whose groundbreaking work on the theory of relativity continues to shape our understanding of the universe. From a tender age, Chukwuma had harboured a deep-seated desire to emulate Einstein’s intellectual prowess and transformative impact on the scientific landscape. Driven by this profound admiration, Chukwuma embarked on a journey fuelled by curiosity, tenacity and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. His milestone achievement in 2019 stood as a testament to the transformative power of inspiration, catapulting him into the ranks of the world’s most brilliant minds and affirming his status as a torchbearer for the next generation of scientific inquiry.

    As Chukwuma’s star continued to ascend, his journey remained intrinsically intertwined with the legacy of Einstein, serving as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of mentorship, inspiration and the indomitable human spirit to transcend the confines of time and space in pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Said Chukwuma: “I had watched a movie about Albert Einstein, the great German physicist, who invented the Einstein Refrigerator. How he wanted his voice to be hear d in his chosen field and how his voice was eventually heard. I too want my voice to be heard. With these awards, my voice is being heard, but this is just the beginning. I believe that by the grace of God and of course more hard work, many awards are still on the way.”

    Chukwuma’s revelation, shared in the wake of his triumphant win in 2019, shed light on the serendipitous genesis of his journey to scholarly acclaim. Despite his status as a medical student, his heart remained tethered to the realms of physics, his true passion and intellectual playground. It was in a physics class, amid the hushed whispers of curiosity and the tantalising allure of the unknown, that Chukwuma posed a question that reverberated through the corridors of academia. Yet, to his astonishment, the question lingered in the air, unanswered and elusive, a tantalising enigma that ignited the flames of inquiry within his soul.

    Undeterred by the absence of an immediate response, Chukwuma embarked on a quest for knowledge, determined to unravel the mysteries that lay concealed within the fric of the universe. With unwavering resolve and boundless curiosity as his guiding stars, he navigated the labyrinthine corridors of scientific inquiry, his thirst for understanding propelling him ever forward. It was amid this crucible of inquiry that Chukwuma found his answer, a revelation that transcended the confines of the classroom and opened the door to a world of infinite possibilities. From that moment onward, his trajectory was irrevocably altered, as he embraced his calling with fervour and embarked on a journey fuelled by the relentless pursuit of truth.

    In his remarks at the induction ceremony, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the esteemed Founder & Chancellor of ABUAD, extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly-inducted medical doctors, celebrating their remarkable achievements and urging them to view their induction not as the culmination of their journey but as the commencement of a new chapter filled with boundless opportunities and untapped potential. Emphasising the importance of excellence and quality service in their future endeavours, Aare Babalola underscored the profound impact that the inductees would have on the world around them. As torchbearers of knowledge and ambassadors of compassion, they were entrusted with the noble task of alleviating suffering, healing the sick and advancing the frontiers of medical science.

    For Chukwuma and his fellow inductees, the words of Aare Babalola served as a poignant reminder of the immense responsibility that lay upon their shoulders. Armed with knowledge, fortified by wisdom and guided by the principles of integrity and compassion, they stood poised at the threshold of greatness, their destinies intertwined with the collective aspirations of humanity. His words: “I personally expect you to go higher academically and professionally. Never give up, dream high. Remember that it is not a crime to dream big, but it is a sin not to dream high. Your induction today should not be seen as the end, but the take-off points for you to attain greatness in your career.

    “I am not unaware that the country is going through a difficult time having regard to insecurity, corruption, scarcity of money, fuel scarcity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, high rate of inflation, very poor foreign exchange rate, huge debt burden and the “japa syndrome”. I advise you not to be discouraged. Problems are bound to come. The world is a world of problems. It is only those who have the courage to confront these problems frontally and overcome them that are successful in life. You already have imbibed the culture of this university, therefore, you are already sufficiently armed to confront and overcome these problems,” he said.

    In a heartfelt address, the ABUAD founder thanked parents for choosing ABUAD, emphasising its unique features. He urged continued guidance for the new doctors, highlighting the disparity in philanthropy. Babalola unveiled plans for a Museum and Hall of Fame, expressing hope for their future success and contributions. Reflecting on his recent achievement as the best graduating student among the 161 newly-inducted medical doctors, Chukwuma  said, “I am very happy. Words are not enough to express my delight following my emergence as the best graduating student. I thank God Almighty for making this possible. I’m grateful to the university for finding me worthy to receive this award.”

    He continued, acknowledging the pivotal role of ABUAD in shaping his journey, “I’m also grateful to the university for shaping me to be the man I am today. I am especially grateful to the founder, Aare Babalola. He has been a great source of inspiration and drive for me. I thank my wonderful friends and family for their incredible support along the way.”

  • ABUAD mentoring three foreign varsities, 12 others, says VC

    ABUAD mentoring three foreign varsities, 12 others, says VC

    The Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (ABUAD), Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, has said no fewer than 15 universities are being mentored by the institution.

    She said the decision of the institutions comprising foreign and local universities to adopt ABUAD as their mentor was not accidental, bearing in mind the monumental achievements of the institution.

    The VC, who said this in Ado-Ekiti yesterday while addressing reporters, noted that the universities were attracted by ABUAD’s academic excellence, scholastic exploit, medical breakthroughs and its global visibility among the elite universities in the world.

    She said ABUAD has become a pride of the Nigerian university system with the feats it has attained as a young university and as such one of the most sought after institutions for mentorship in the world.

    Olarinde added that the institution had been living up to its expectation in the delivery of its tripodal mandates of qualitative teaching, cutting-edge research as well as community services.

    She noted that the recent ranking  of the institution as number 221 out of over 7,000 universities in the world was not a fluke, but rather an acknowledgement of its stellar achievements.

    The VC called for the extension of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to private universities, describing as unfair and unacceptable, their exclusion from the list of the beneficiaries.

    She said despite that private universities offer a viable alternative to public institutions and even complement and aid the drive of the government to increase the accessibility and quality of education, they do not receive any form of funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

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    “Consequent upon the failure of public universities to fully accommodate a majority of qualified candidates, licences were granted to private individuals and organisations to establish private universities in 1999.

    “A careful reading of the relevant sections of the law shows that the intention of the lawmakers in imposing Education Tax on registered companies in Nigeria is for advancement of education to various levels and categories of education, through rehabilitation, restoration and consolidation of education in Nigeria.

    “Curiously, by the provisions of Section 7(1) of the Act, private institutions, including universities, are excluded from benefitting from the funds collected from companies, which are mainly private.”

    “It seems clearly that Section 7(1) of the Act contradicts the provisions of Section 3(1), and violates Section 18 of the 1979 Constitution.

    “The exclusion of private institutions, apart from the contradiction between Sections 3 and 7 of the law, is obviously unconstitutional, unfair and unjustifiable.”

  • ABUAD raises workers’ salary by 35%

    ABUAD raises workers’ salary by 35%

    The management of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) has raised the salary of academic and non-academic workers by 35 per cent.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, said the gesture was to cushion the hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.

    She spoke in Ado-Ekiti when the workers came to the university’s administrative building to show appreciation to the founder, Chief Afe Babalola.

    Olarinde said: “We have come to thank you with all our heart for the 35 per cent increase in our salaries. This is a divine dream that has come to pass. We have come to express our appreciation.”

    A member of the Governing Council, Dr. Supo Ijabadeniyi, hailed Chief Babalola for the gesture, saying the pay rise once again demonstrated his commitment to workers’ welfare.

    He added that the increment would help alleviate the financial burden faced by the workers.

    “ABUAD is truly a pacesetter,” he said. 

    Read Also: ABUAD hospital performs six new kidney transplants

    He noted: “When Nigerian workers were negotiating salary increase with the Federal Government, ABUAD founder told us ‘e ma mikan’ (don’t worry),  and gave us 35 per cent increase across the board. Within 48 hours, the increment reflected in our salaries. We are happy and we appreciate this gesture, sir.”

    Responding to the workers, Chief Babalola said the gesture was informed by the prevailing economic situation caused by fuel subsidy removal.

    “I know people are facing a lot of hardship and I know what their suffering means. What they spend on transportation has gone up; the prices of what they buy from the markets have also gone up. 

    “On my own, I believe I should be able to keep my workers from the ‘Japa’ syndrome; I want them to stay here. The best thing is to pay them something different from what they are getting at the end of the month.”

  • ABUAD hospital performs six new kidney transplants

    ABUAD hospital performs six new kidney transplants

    The Afe Babalola University Multi-system Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (ABUMTH) has conducted six new successful kidney transplants on patients in the hospital.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe revealed that the latest operations were carried out between September 15 and 17, 2023, making it the 14th kidney transplant since October 2021.

    The CMD said that the four patients were in stable condition and alongside their donours, adding that the facility has become a perfect destination of choice that can offer affordable and efficient medical treatments.

    He said the health facility was purposely established by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) to provide affordable and quality healthcare services to the people.

    He said: “Since we had our index transplant in October 2021, we have successfully carried out 14 kidney transplants in our hospital, with the last four which we did between September 15th and 17th, 2023.

    Read Also: ABUAD: Raising the bar of academic excellence

    “I can tell you that the four patients are doing fine and recovered well, even their donors have since returned home. We want to let the people know that when they feel there is no hope, there is hope here.

    “We know there a lot of people outside there battling with kidney issues and they are worried and considering until travelling out of the country to get healing, I am happy to tell them that there is a perfect destination for them in ABUAD multi-system hospital.”

    On the cases of organ trafficking in the country, the CMD stated that the hospital has stringent rules and procedures guiding it whenever people appear to donate to patients.

    He revealed that aside from the fact that the donor would be properly interviewed to know he or she was not being pressured or induced to donate a kidney, the individual would be made to sign an affidavit in line with global best practices.

    “The truth and the only thing which is lawful and accepted is that any donor must be doing it willingly without compulsion and must not be induced financially so that we don’t have a situation that they are buying off the kidney.

    “On our part, we don’t involve in any unethical practices relating to our services in the hospital. Aside from ensuring family members as donors, an affidavit will also be sworn by the individual,” he said.

    He called on the federal government to initiate policies that would address the challenges in the nation’s health sector, “especially policy that will stabilize the naira against the dollar for us to get these medical needs abroad cheaper.”

    On his part, a neurologist in the hospital, Dr Olusegun Aremu while lamenting the increasing level of kidney issues among the people, said the ABUAD hospital was providing solutions to the challenges.

    Aremu declared that Nigeria is among the top ten countries with the highest number of kidney challenges, and called on stakeholders to step up advocacy on preventive measures for kidney failures in the society.

    He said: “The issue of kidney failure is on the increase and I will say there is a need for us to intensify our efforts on health education. Also, we should have the habit of checking our health status regularly to detect early possible red flags.

    “People should place value on their health by doing what is right always and take a lot of water and reduce intake of salt.”

    ReplyForward

  • ABUAD to train unemployed graduates

    The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) will next Monday begin a one-month training for unemployed graduates and high school leavers in a programme it called Agripreneur.

    A statement by ABUAD’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Tunde Olofintila, said the training, which will take place at the expansive ABUAD Enterprise Farm, is in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Chair on Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Education.

    To participate in the training, candidates from each of the 16 Local Government Areas of the State will be nominated by their Local Government or their paramount rulers.

    During the month-long residential training, which will come with free feeding and accommodation, candidates will be trained in the establishment and processing of mango, cassava, moringa and fishery.

    At the end of the training, each successful candidate will get start-up seedlings and N150,000.

    The new initiative is in addition to the snnual Afe Babalola Agricultural Expo during which ABUAD Founder, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), doles out N1 million to the best farmer in the state and N250,000 to the best farmer in each of the 16 local government areas of the state.

     

  • ABUAD partners foreign varsity on exchange of academic programmes

    THE Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and International University of Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing a partnership for exchange of academic ideas and programmes.

    The Ivory Coast’s university’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Ahmed Legrouri, who led the institution’s delegates, said the partnership was informed by the need to make the institution a world-class university like ABUAD.

    Legrouri said the collaboration was designed to adopt ABUAD as a role model following its landmark achievements in the realm of functional and quality education within the little time of its existence.

    He explained that the existing learning facilities and an array of academic gurus in ABUAD attest to the fact that ABUAD has a penchant for high-quality market-driven education.

    He added that the partnership promises promotion of academic exchange that would make IUGB a widely recognised university.

    “We are here to seek partnership with ABUAD so that we can offer opportunities to our students to develop.

    “We are really very impressed with the achievements of this great institution. We are ready to adopt them as our model.

    “We have learnt a lot from the infrastructures and the attitudinal disposition of the people managing them.

    “And in the way of building our new campus on 80 hectares in the city of Bassam, we are going adopt what we have seen here,” he said.

    ABUAD Founder Aare Afe Babalola, said the decision to adopt ABUAD as a mentor was not accidental, but as a result of unparalleled achievement of the institution in functional education.

    Babalola said the collaboration would be the third of its kind, saying ABUAD is already in partnership with a university in Ghana and Republic of Benin.

    The ABUAD Founder stated that the establishment of the institution was borne out of his inclination to illuminate the world with quality academic ideas.

    “If you want to be a university, which is internationally recognised, you must have affiliation with other universities outside the country.

    “And you must have students and lecturers from other countries and curriculum that will make others to come.

    “With these, it is crystal clear that ABUAD place on the map of global education can’t be compromised.

    “My joy is that invitations are not done by us. What they have read, learnt and heard about us made them to approach us for mentorship,” Babalola said.

     

     

  • Afe Babalola makes case for reputable Law Colleges to prepare Law graduates for bar examinations

    Frontline Legal icon and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has advocated that reputable Colleges/Faculty of Law in Nigerian Universities should henceforth be saddled with the responsibility of training Law graduates preparatory for their final Call to Bar Examinations at the Law School.

    With this proposed arrangement, Law graduates from Nigerian universities will proceed to these reputable Colleges/Faculties of Law, Like ABUAD College of Law, with up-to-date facilities and Faculty members of international repute for their post-LL.B training and only go to the Law School to write their Call to Bar Examinations without being residential student in the Law School as is currently the case.

    This way, Babalola, who spoke over the weekend at a reception in honour of the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Ciroma, SAN, said Nigeria would have borrowed a leaf from the practice in England, thereby frontally addressing the  problem of funding and myriad other problems which the Law School had had to contend with over the years.

    According to him, the problem of paucity of facilities and accommodation space have been some of the major problems the Law School had had to content with and its attendant bottleneck of having backlog of students because it does not have the capacity and the resources to cope with the number of Law graduates being churned out by the various Law Colleges/Faculties annually.

    Babalola who lamented that the Nigerian Bar is different from what he met when he was called to the Bar in 1963 or what it was before he made up his mind to study Law in the first instance, said a lot need to be done to turn things around for better in the profession for it to recapture the reverence the legal profession used to attract and enjoy many decades ago.

    Now fishing in most familiar waters, Babalola recalled how many lawyers have been asking for the abrogation of the SAN title in last few years. Their grievance being that they apply year-after-year with as many as 70 qualifying for the award every year. But at the end of the day, the Legal Privileges Committee of the Bar which admits Legal Practitioners into SAN-ship,  would lean so heavily on the law that says they cannot appoint more than 15 in any particular year, thereby leaving (having) a backlog of those who are qualified, but not awarded, almost on a yearly basis.

    The question then arises: if a person is qualified at a particular point in time, at what point does he become unqualified again? Perhaps one may ask those who are charged with the duty of appointing 15 out of 60 or 70 qualified practitioners what criteria they use to jettison those who are qualified. The problem here is that without knowing it, this practice of appointing 15 out of the several that are qualified has led to corruption, sectionalism and favouritism and corner-cutting by some junior lawyers, thereby lowering the standard of practice in the country.

    That practice has unwittingly led to the “man-know-man” syndrome and other extraneous influences where those who appoint Legal Practitioners to SAN-ship tend to favour those they know ahead of those they don’t know very well.

    Nigeria should copy England where the idea of the silk (SAN title), the equivalent of QC in England was borrowed from root, stem and branch. From time immemorial in England, no matter the number that qualify in a particular year, be it 60 or 70, all of them would be appointed, leaving no room for any backlog. Nigeria must do the needful in this regard if it must not be left behind.

    His words: “The practice in those days was that successful Legal Practitioners are invited to for appointments on the Bench. Now, the standard I met then is not the standard any more. Only 10 years after my arrival, I was invited to the Bench by Hon. Justice Oyemade, the Chief Judge of Western Region. I told him I still needed some money of my own. You know the impression then was that when you go to the Bench you will be corrupt”.

    We added:”We were hearing of cases of some Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal being removed on grounds of, according to them, corruption…. I did not know of a successful legal practitioner who wanted to go to the Bench then. The practice which I know is that when you are a successful practitioner, you want to retire to the Bench and adorn it with your years of knowledge of legal practice.

    “So all over the world, the best judges are the best legal practitioners, that is why in England up till today, judges are recruited from Queen’s Counsel (the equivalent of our Senior Advocates of Nigeria), who have distinguished themselves. Now, the standard I met then is not the standard any more”.

    But today in Nigeria, many extraneous qualifications have crept into the appointment of judges so much so that people working in public limited liability companies have been appointed judges to satisfy geographical spread.

    His words:”Our Bench must be populated with qualified people who have practiced Law and not just who rose from the Magistrate Courts to the High Courts. When you read some judgments by some High Court Judges, you wonder and marvel because they are not more than the pronouncements of Magistrates”.

    He added: “In England, it is only those with QC, the equivalent of our Senior Advocates that are invited to occupy the Bench and this has helped the quality of judgments in England over the years. Why can’t we do same here? It will help our practice of Law and the quality of judgments from the Bench”.

    Babalola therefore suggested that if people who qualify to be made Senior Advocates of Nigeria are not restricted in number, there would be a ready pool of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who have made good money in their practice years, and ready to accept elevation to the Bench like the late Hon. Justice Taslim Olawale Elias, and the late Hon. Justice Augustine Nnamani thereby increasing/improving quality of judges and reducing corruption.

    He thanked Ciroma for visiting ABUAD, adding that it washis love for quality and functional education that propelled him to visit ABUAD for the first time. Babalola commended the DG-Law School for being on top in several ways: A Professor of Law, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and above the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School.

    Ciroma commended Babalola and the ABUAD community for changing the face of Education in Nigeria within the short history of the university, stressing that if more people invest in Education, Nigeria will be the better for it.

     

    • Olofintila writes in from Ado-Ekiti

  • Encomiums as ABUAD promoter Afe Babalola gets Awo Leadership Prize

    Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) founder Chief Afe Babalola yesterday received the 2018 Obafemi Awolowo Prize in Leadership.

    Aare Babalola became the third recipient of the coveted prize since its inception. He joined the club of Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and former South African President Thambo Mbeki. The duo won the award in the past.

    Chairman of the Selection Committee Chief Emeka Anyaoku explained that the Prize has not been awarded since Mbeki won it in 2014 because no individual among the nominees met the criteria for the honour.

    According to him, the leadership award, is for the individual who have demonstrated the attributes of political strategy, education, integrity, caring for the welfare of the masses, consistent in policies and courage for which the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo was known.

    According to the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, only Aare Babalola was found worthy among the nominees considered for the 2018 award.

    His words: “Babalola distinguished himself in the provision of quality education just like Chief Awolowo and advocacy for the masses through legal intervention and other means to deserve the award.”

    The Chairman of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Board of Trustees, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, said history has been very kind to the late Chief Awolowo.

    The former Head of State noted that when the late sage was as great in death as he was when alive, adding that “years after his death, his name continues to command respect and waxing stronger.”

    Gowon said that Awolowo’s character and performance in public office stood him out as an uncommon leader.

    He said: “His death at 78 was a great loss to Nigeria and humanity. It was in order to immortalise him that Awolowo Foundation was established.”

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi described Chief Babalola as an icon not only in Ekiti but in Nigeria as a whole.

    Dr. Fayemi lauded ABUAD promoter for making a remarkable impression on education, describing the institution as a tourist attraction and urged the audience to visit to see what the legal luminary has done in his university.

    He described the ABUAD Teaching Hospital as the best.

    The Secretary of the Awo Foundation, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu said that her late father and Chief Babalola shared similar traits.

    According to her, both men braved the odds to acquire education.

    In his response, Aare Babalola thanked the Awolowo Foundation for the honour, even as paid glowing tribute to the Awolowo dynasty.

  • ABUAD showers N120m on outstanding students, others

    Outstanding graduating students and workers of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) were among beneficiaries of N120 million cash reward at the university’s sixth convocation yesterday.

    A parent was also among the beneficiaries of the cash largesse by ABUAD Founder/Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).

    The cash reward for this year was N30 million higher than the N90 million doled out at last year’s convocation.

    Two distinguished Nigerians: President of Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Chairman of Channels Media Group, Mr. John Momoh, got honorary doctorate degrees at the convocation.

    Babalola said Adesina and Momoh were rewarded for their contributions to the development of the country, particularly the youth.

    The university graduated 1,042 students for Bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees with 72 getting First Class honours in different departments.

    Award recipients of various cash sums under the Founder’s Special Awards are: Overall Best Graduating Student, Azom, Esther Adaobi, who bagged three distinctions in Medicine; the Best Alumnus of the Year is Makanju Aderonke and the Best Parent of the Year is Bayo Olowookere.

    The Best Teacher of the Year is Prof. Smaranda Olarinde of the Faculty of Law, while Prof Sylvester Ojo bagged Utility Teacher of the Year award.

    The College of Law won the Best College of the Year Award.

    Other graduating students won awards at departmental levels.

    Identifying funding as the greatest scourge afflicting the country’s Education sector, Babalola noted that many of the states’ and Federal Government’s budgets allocate as low as seven per cent to the sector.

    The eminent lawyer slammed the Federal Government for allegedly ignoring the directive by the United Nations Education and Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that 26 per cent of the budgetary allocation should go to education.

    He said: “The quality of education is most desirable, but it is also an expensive enterprise. It is no news that the Education sector is in crisis due to poor funding.

    “Whereas, UNESCO recommended that at least 26 per cent of national budget should be dedicated to education, but Nigeria budgets less than seven per cent.”

    Babalola regretted that “Nigeria has one of the most poorly funded universities globally,” saying this caused the low ranking the country’s citadels of learning were accorded on webometrics rating.

    He said: “I urge the Federal Government to revisit the moribund Education Bank to enable students access loans at reduced rates to finance their education and to start their own businesses after graduation.

    “This is the surest way to end the rising unemployment, particularly among graduates after leaving universities.”

    Babalola also urged the Federal Government to establish an Airport in Ado-Ekiti and rebuild Ado-Ijan-Ikare Road for easy access to the university.

    He said: “The federal road leading to this university, Ado-Ikare road, is in bad condition. Of course, there is no rail line and there is also no airport.

    “With the provision of the two in Ekiti, Nigerians will benefit from the 400-bed multi-system hospital which has the latest equipment here in this university.

    “The Federal Government approved an airport for this state in 2009 for the benefit of all Nigerians who can benefit from our quality healthcare delivery and functional education we are offering in ABUAD.”

    Adesina, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, noted that the future of Africa should not depend on population and natural resources but how best they can use the available resources to convert their visions to reality.