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  • Rotary president Babalola calls for stronger immunization, global partnerships

    Rotary president Babalola calls for stronger immunization, global partnerships

    Rotary International’s President-Elect, Olayinka Akeem Babalola, has pledged to use his historic appointment to strengthen Rotary’s global impact while expanding investments in Nigeria and Africa. 

    Babalola, who will assume office in July 2026 as president of the 119-year-old humanitarian organization, spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, where he was introduced by Rtn. Joshua Hassan, a Past District Governor, who noted that Babalola is only the second African to hold the prestigious position since the organization’s founding in 1905.

    Babalola, a member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, was elected by the Rotary International Board of Directors to serve as President for the 2026/2027 Rotary year, beginning July 1, 2026.

    “This is a privilege to lead a global movement dedicated to creating lasting change, not only across communities but also within ourselves. It is an exciting development for Nigeria, Africa, and the entire Rotary world”, Babalola said.

    Babalola said Nigeria’s leadership would bring African innovation into Rotary’s global agenda while scaling programs that deliver measurable community impact.

    Noting that Rotary International, with 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs across more than 200 countries, Babalola said his presidency would reinforce the focus of the organization on maternal and child health, disease prevention, education, economic development, peacebuilding, and environmental sustainability. 

    He reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio, which he called its top corporate initiative, saying, “When we started this campaign in 1985, polio was killing and maiming over 1,000 children daily across 125 countries. 

    “Today, polio is endemic in only Afghanistan and Pakistan, and annual cases are fewer than 50. But we will not rest until no child is at risk.”

    While Nigeria has been certified free of wild poliovirus, Babalola warned of variant cases fueled by low immunization coverage. 

    “Polio is not circulating in Nigeria as an endemic disease. 

    “That was stopped, and that was why the WHO certified Nigeria and Africa wild polio-free. But some issues have emerged,” he said.

    He cautioned that Nigeria remains vulnerable, noting that herd immunity requires at least 80% coverage, yet some States have as little as 13%. 

    “Many of the cases you are now seeing as a variant of polio are mostly present in those parts of the country where the routine immunization coverage is very low,” he said, while emphasizing that Rotary is working with the government to close these gaps.

    Beyond polio, he said Rotary is investing in programs to combat malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, citing a $9.8 million project in Kebbi and Akwa Ibom States that builds on a $4 million pilot in Zambia, which nearly halved malaria deaths. 

    “That’s the kind of measurable impact Rotary is scaling across Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

    He also highlighted Rotary’s education initiatives, which provide classrooms, teacher training, and solar lighting to support learning. 

    “Safe water is not just health, it’s education,” he said, recalling a ₦100 million water and sanitation project in Rivers State. 

    He said Nigeria could benefit from having produced the organization’s president, but emphasized that the body is well-structured and does not tolerate favouritism, as resources are allocated strictly based on requests and needs in line with established procedures.

    Nigeria, he added, already benefits from Rotary’s global support, noting, “On the average, Rotary in Nigeria would donate… maybe about $3 million. In Nigeria alone, in the last three years, the Rotary Foundation has spent $33.5 million.

    “Will there be increased grants? The possibility is there. But that will only happen if our Rotarians step up and do more for their communities. And I think they will do more,” he said.

    He, however, noted that during his tenure, he hopes to see Rotary expand further in Africa and worldwide, strengthening its global humanitarian efforts.

    “Wherever Rotary goes, good things follow. We need more people, more clubs, and more partnerships to create lasting change. This is Africa’s moment to lead. We will show the world that solutions can come from here.”

    He encouraged Nigerians to join local Rotary clubs to address pressing challenges, saying, “You tell them, look, this is an issue in this area. Can we do something about it? It falls squarely into our areas of focus. And if there’s a need in that community, your Rotary club will take care of it”.

  • CAC debunks Fatoyinbo’s claims on Babalola’s wealth, family

    CAC debunks Fatoyinbo’s claims on Babalola’s wealth, family

    The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has dismissed the claims surrounding its founder, Apostle Babalola about his wealth and family.

    This reaction was posted, on Thursday, via Facebook, by the director of publicity, Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor Ade Alawode.

    In a trending video on YouTube, the Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (Coza), Biodun Fatoyinbo, allegedly made some public comments about the late cleric, during a sermon.

    Fatoyinbo described Babalola as “an anointed man”, citing instances where a python would cross his leg and dry up.

    He said: “So, all his grace just went like that? He didn’t have money,” reiterating, asked, “where are his children?”

    The religious institution described the question as “insensitive and ill-informed”, citing Luke 12: 15, to stress that “equating anointing and ministerial success was highly flawed.”

    Speaking on the cleric’s children, “Ethically speaking, Apostle Babalola had children. Simple arithmetic should help you understand that they would be advanced in age by now — possibly your grandparents’ age. What did you hope to achieve with the mocking question, “Where are the children of Babalola?”

    “Your statement reflects more on the kind of company you keep, but as a preacher of the Word, shouldn’t your conduct and utterances be guided by Scripture?”. 

    The Church recalled that Babalola was called into ministry at the age of 24, his donations to people even outside his family and the Queen Elisabeth II’s honour.

    Furthermore, his wealth was addressed, “He was no fundraiser, yet God supplied his needs. His diaries are filled with divine provisions like: “Ipese Olorun loni: £100.00, £50.00…. He lived in a befitting home, drove one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time, and funded weddings, education, and apprenticeship programs — all without exploiting the pulpit.”

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    Netizens further supported the approach the church gave in response to the controversy.

    “I love this response. Very constructive, detailed, spirit filled and scriptural. I don’t know when the anointing given by God becomes a thing that is measured by material things acquired in a dubious way.

    God bless Pst Ade Alawode.”, a Facebook user commented.

    An ex-member of CAC also reacted, “Although, I’m no more in CAC, but I love this response to the viral message. What level of wealth can be compared to the impact that the life and ministry of Apostle Ayo Babalola had, and still having till date? Was there any needs he couldn’t meet in his lifetime? People need to be matured before mounting the pulpit!!! One fold one shepherd!”

  • Babalola, Edun, Nwoko, Tunji-Bello, Akobundu, others for Afrikanwatch lecture, award

    Babalola, Edun, Nwoko, Tunji-Bello, Akobundu, others for Afrikanwatch lecture, award

    The 14th annual lecture, award and induction of Afrikanwatch Network Communications will hold on May 3, 2025, at LimeRidge Signature Hotels and Suites, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, Nigeria, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Olatunde Babawale, Provost, Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, while Mr. Sam Omatseye, Chairman, Editorial Board of the Nation Newspaper, will deliver the lecture, titled, The Nigerian Leadership Structure and its unsung national heroes, as Senator Anthony Adefuye is the special guest of honour.

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    At the event, distinguished Nigerians will be honoured with the prestigious African Gold Merit Award (AGMA), they include, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of economy, Sen. (Prince) Ned Nwoko, Senator, representing Delta North Senatorial district, Sen. (Col) Augustine Akobundu, representing Abia Central, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of youth development,  Vice Chancellor, Lagos state University, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Vice Chancellor,  University of  Lagos, Prof. Folasade T. Ogunsola, Barr. Adebayo Akinade, Deputy President and Chief Executive officer, Institute of Security, Nigeria (ISN), Pastor (Prof) JF Odesola, Continental Overseer, RCCG, Dr. Segun Obayendo, GMD, Temple Group limited, Mr. A.S Oyerinde, DG, NECA, Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Dr. Joseph Effiong, CEO, UpdateAfrika, Dr. Babatunde Raimi, Pension and Retirement coach, and Mr. Omoh Ernest Odinaka, CEO, Iyk Media.

    According to the Editor-in-Chief of the news outfit, Mark Orgu, the event is to look at the country’s leadership structure and trace milestones and also various government setbacks while identifying heroes among them.

  • Olaopa’s views on Babalola, Farotimi

    Olaopa’s views on Babalola, Farotimi

    By Larry Carlson and Sheila Brooks

    Distinguished Professor Tunji Olaopa’s article captioned: “Babalola and Farotimi: Justice, Just Society and the Nigerian state”, as published by a national newspaper on Monday, 23rd December 2024, has sparked widespread public debates and reactions.

    It is a notorious fact that Olaopa is a Professor of Public Administration and the current Chair of the Federal Civil Service Commission in Abuja, Capital of Nigeria.

    Olaopa’s views on the libelous scandal designed to dent the global image of respected elder statesman, legal icon educationist and Healthcare provider, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, Con, SAN, LL. D (London), Fellow, King’s College, London, to say the least economizes the truth. The bare truth is that the Civil Rights Activist, Dele Farotimi, probably out of frustration posted by the Nigerian-state or by indolence (since no Government can do everything) needed to make ends meet and therefore had to break ethics by employing gold-digging approach to fertilize his survival strategies, in a system that, though has plenty in every sense, is currently debased by a grinding and multi-dimensional poverty, hunger and social despondency.

    Olaopa in his discourse tried to dissuade a man fondly eulogized as “Baba Law”, a version of what Mr. Williams Akintola, FCA, is in the Accountancy profession in Nigeria, from pursuing redress in the law court. What does he (Olaopa) mean by “…. I see Chief Babalola as being at the forefront of gatekeeping the legal establishment in terms of what is and is not permissible or possible under the law and its conservative tenets.”

    The question that naturally arises is: What is not permissible under the law that Aare Afe Babalola is seeking?”

    Indeed, what are the contentious issues foisted by the incautious Farotimi to distort public peace and soil the hard-earned reputation of a society-friendly figure, Aare Afe Babalola, that fits the description of Olaopa’s “…. leveraged around the David and Goliath motif – that are attending the matter?

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    It is a sad experience that a top-class public servant like Prof. Tunji Olaopa could think in such a way that suggests justice in Nigeria ought to be secured through sentiments or the rhetorical milieu, and no longer based on the facts of law and evidence. Hear his patently weak reasoning: “Unfortunate for him, Barrister Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”, impugned the entire legal and judicial establishment up to its apex institution, the Nigerian Supreme Court.”

    Olaopa continued to add salt to injury in dissecting the matter. Haba, what a careless assertion by Olaopa to declare that: “If Barrister Farotimi cannot prove his allegations in court, it would not mean that his charges are false. It would only imply that the system which is supposed to guarantee justice has become too corruptly dense to achieve its mandate.”

    How can Farotimi make a sweeping and baseless allegation against a patriotic elder statesman of the stature of Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN,  and the entire judiciary while the likes of Olaopa wants it taken with levity? Is it because Olaopa is not personally hurt? Is it because the notable icon of global peace and detribalized figure, Babalola is involved?

    It is time to nail such excesses of Farotimi on the wall to serve as a deterrent to other careless future writers that may want to satisfy the urge of their itchy fingers or promote the assumption that things are better hidden from an African, if buried in a book.

    It would be impossible for minions like Dele Farotimi to perish or wipe away the enduring and sacrificial elements of legacies built, for over six decades, by Nigeria’s double-barrel Honouree, savvy tech-preneur and top-flyer wealth creator, Aare Afe Babalola.  The truth is that the generation of Farotimi and his posterity lineage CANNOT produce anyone close to the stature and popular achievements of Babalola, even by 5% till the end of their sojourn on earth.

    It is evil to witch-hunt or whip hatred for a giant, honest, hardworking, creative and dynamic icon like Babalola, in the belief that, by so doing, one could climb the ladder up to the sky. The Law of Karma does not permit this act of treachery and immoral approach to selfish growth.

    The time is ripe for Farotimi to admit that he goofed and seek means to abate the anger of this noble icon and that of the witty entrepreneur and seasoned technocrat known as Chief Tony Elumelu, and others who were allegedly also attacked in his infamous book.

    Farotimi and members of his ilk should know that it is late, given the level of devotion of Babalola and Elumelu towards public good and national unity, for his charade to distract them from helping to make Nigeria better than they met it. These are committed and patriotic change and development agents whose image and reputation Farotimi’s book targeted for denigration but failed.

    All factors considered, Farotimi’s road to suffocation in the shame of his life is obvious. He is bound to languish in jail if he loses the case and would surely romance with criminals at the Nigeria Correctional Facility should he be unable to pay the damages that may be associated with his self-ignited scandal. It is impossible to use the ladder of a polished elder statesman to win fame and cheap wealth while leaving the icon in pains. We do not think that the Nigerian judicial system is too weak to allow this level of decay where Babalola would be denied justice.

    Impliedly, the so-called activist, Dele Farotimi, has told the world that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is leading a decadent system – where nothing works and where hate reigns supreme. He should face the consequences of his lethal publication that impedes the peace and happiness of the society.

    Farotimi cannot whip public sentiments in order to curry public favour and to win sympathy in this case, because by his uncouth tongue and savage attitude, he has desecrated the altar of law and insulted the entire Nigerian-state. There is no form of deceit or super strategy that can force the Nigerian legal system or members of the Bench to allow Farotimi, in his own case, to be all at the same time – the defendant, complainant, Court Registrar, Court Bailiff, Prosecutor, representatives of the CSOs, proxies of Human Rights Bodies and the Judge.

    Prof. Tunji Olaopa’s piece seeks to provoke public sympathy for Farotimi, with a view to winning soft-landing for him, but no one can drink water for a thirsty cow.

    His article ought to have summoned the courage to speak against blackmail and literal crime. Crime should be declared by its original name despite our relationship with the committer or offender in order to save the society and promote fairness. Aare Afe Babalola should not be made to suffer in his innocence and to be perpetually ridiculed with reckless abandon.

    As Farotimi has the right to publish untrue matters in reckless fashion, so does Babalola has the right to seek redress and damages for injuries. The calmness of the erudite legal mentor and genius should not be mistaken for weakness or stupidity. Unarguably, he is and he remains the ‘lion’ in the field of law. He literally breathes law, sings law and dances law.

    We admire Aare Afe Babalola for representing a tall icon of conscience in Africa. He is a peculiar breed as age has not diminished his intellectual ingredients, his integrity and the social contract he swore to improve Nigeria in facets or strata of her life. Instead of suffering declining decimal, age hones his skills and widens the horizon of his certified knowledge. When it comes to issues of volunteerism, development and charity, he is on top of the ladder in the African continent while all of us in the CSO space in Europe, Asia as well as in the Arctatic and South and North American continents wish Babalola had been born in ANY of our territory. We are proud of Africa because of the likes of Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CON; Chief Tony Elumelu, OFR; Jelani Aliyu, MFR;  Philip Emeagwali, top-performing Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR; AfDB’s miracle-worker, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; U.S. Hero, Ledum Dennis Ndaanee; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, automobile genius, lnnocent Chukwuma; seasoned technocrat, Dr. Bosun Tijjani; and the tech giant, Dr. Leon Stan Ekeh.

    How we wish Aare Afe Babalola had been part of our origin and development story because he would have helped our entity to propel growth in any of our continents on a fast pace of growth and advancement. Why does Africa want to rubbish the reputation of its liberal investor in Nigeria? Who sent the ‘pupil lawyer’, Farotimi, on this self-destructive mission?

    The state must rise against the category of iconoclasts to which the ignoble activist belongs, if it seeks a better future for itself and as a guarantee for preserving what is left of its battered image in the global arena.

    How can you allege that someone is corrupting or has corrupted the judicial system in Nigeria when the person is not and has never been a jurist or an employee of the judiciary? Is it an issue of rocket science?

    Farotimi must back his wild claims with verifiable facts that comply with all aspects of the Evidence Act. It is not about embarking on media war to sustain the tempo of embarrassment to the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). He must surrender all such claims to the authority saddled with the duties and responsibility of public prosecution.

    Whipping sentiments using the social media and other gossip platforms to induce solidarity, instead of showing remorse and openly seeking forgiveness, cannot hold water.

    It still beats our imagination why Africa envies its best and selfless?  If the witch-hunting charade of the likes of Farotimi is not tamed and selfless patriots encouraged in their deeds of salvation and transformation, how would the continent grow, and foreign investors be attracted to its soil to help create massive wealth and spread collective prosperity?

    Well, it is said that “African ‘prophets’ are not cherished on their soil”, and that “Teachers’ rewards are in heaven”, our doors are wide open for Babalola, Elumelu, et al, to help fly our economies – stimulation growth for the Nano industry and maximize profits (RoI).

    •Professors Carlson and Brooks are Civil Rights Activists and members of the International Volunteers for Development, London.

  • Babalola, Farotimi and the Ekiti saga

    Babalola, Farotimi and the Ekiti saga

    Days after Dele Farotimi, activist and lawyer, was dragged before a Federal High Court and a Magistrate Court in Ekiti State to answer for his audacious characterisation of legal icon Afe Babalola, 95, as a corrupter of the justice system, Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) travelled to Ado Ekiti to mediate the legal kerfuffle between the two. Mr Farotimi was Mr Obi’s presidential campaign spokesman, and he continues to represent a faction of the party still embittered by the role it alleged the judiciary played in the LP presidential loss. No one could tell last week whether Mr Obi’s visit was entirely at his own instance or, as some alleged, at the instance of the straddling ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, himself a supporter of Mr Obi and also a friend of Chief Babalola. However, regardless of who initiated the visit, the former candidate and still LP leader of sorts was in Ekiti last week where he parleyed for an hour or two with Chief Babalola, and then visited his former aide Mr Farotimi in prison to have a word with him, perhaps on the virtue of legal and authorial sobriety. Unconfirmed reports sourced from the meeting indicate that the legal icon was accommodating, but the upstart lawyer and author of the controversial and offending book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, remained defiant.

    The Federal High Court may have granted Mr Farotimi bail on reasonable terms, and the Magistrate Court will ineluctably follow when it sits sometime this week, but the uppity activist seems to be enjoying the hoopla, particularly the snide and withering attacks on Chief Babalola’s reputation. The attacks are generally idiosyncratic of the Obidients who terrorise the social media, cruelly and maliciously projecting cancel culture, and promoting all kinds of tendentious reports about the fate awaiting the legal icon should he persist in asking for his pound of flesh from the author of the book. Most of those who have commented on the Ekiti cause célèbre have not even bothered to read the book, nor realised that Mr Farotimi was neither a defence nor prosecution counsel in the celebrated land case that formed the kernel of the author’s alleged defamatory statements. He was introduced into the case only after it had been resolved at the Supreme Court and judgement was being executed. His book undoubtedly rides on the wave of the ill-tempered opinions of Nigerians who uncritically analysed the 2023 presidential election and determined that only corruption could have led the courts to give jdugements in favour of the ruling party.

    The courts, assuming Mr Farotimi and his friends understand law and still hold a modicum of respect for the judiciary which they continue to traduce so bitterly, will determine who is right between the injured Chief Babalola and the euphoric and highly opinionated social media terror group calling itself Obidients. The latter hope that along the line, certain facts will emerge to embarrass Chief Babalola and expose him as a man wholly devoid of reputation. They latch on to unsubstantiated entries in United States diplomatic cables, gossips and titbits with no legal evidentiary value, and they project their wish over reality, lionising Mr Farotimi, deifying Mr Obi, and demonising Chief Babalola. They are impatient for the court’s reasoning and decision; and if judgement does not favour them, then the courts have been bought. It is not certain that Mr Obi’s visit was at the behest of Chief Obasanjo, but if it was, it would be dispiriting that an author, who admittedly is the Obidients’ good but pampered boy, could savage a man’s reputation so badly and the victim is being pressured to reach accommodation outside the courts. They know, and their instincts confirm it, that Mr Farotimi has no legal pedestal to stand on; but they insinuate threats about uncovering hidden facts to discomfit the old lawyer and make him wilt.

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    Hopefully, not to long from now, Chief Obasanjo’s secret longings on the case would be exposed. It would then be proper to take him on. But for now, it is enough to focus on Mr Obi’s Ekiti mediatory visit. Like his mentor, the bedraggled protégé and former LP candidate seems to think that his presidential election loss was due to judicial shenanigans instigated by rich and powerful politicians. They leave no room for incompetent legal arguments or sloppy tendering of evidence by complainants, and offhandedly dismiss any possibility of the eminent justices remaining genuinely unpersuaded. In the lexicon of Obidients, all of whom have coincidentally rallied to the cause of the uppity lawyer, the judiciary should be disposed off entirely, peacefully if it can be managed, or revolutionarily if it can’t be done by pressures and fiat. They also leave no room for incremental improvement in institution building, for in their view Rome must be built in a day. No leader worth his salt would wade into the fray at this stage of the Farotimi case. But Mr Obi is neither worth his salt nor knows his onions. Of course a book can be written on the justice system, and a case made for urgent and even radical reforms and streamlining of the judiciary as an institution. But there are ways to write a book, with facts held sacred and deployed in such a manner that readers will appreciate the industry brought into the work by a seasoned author. Great books have been litigated before; but when a book is irredeemable and seemed to have been instigated by malicious ill will, a political leader must be circumspect in lending his image in any guise to such works.

    Chief Babalola believes his character has been defamed. If the Supreme Court had a voice and could express it in their own defence, they would also feel slandered by Mr Farotimi. But the warriors on social media do not think these victims should complain, let alone litigate their grievances, nor be entitled to be heard or seek redress. There is danger ahead, much of it inspired by the social media and its nefarious and fanatical denizens. Indeed, if this tendency is not counteracted, intolerance will take root and spread unchecked, creating regional, ethnic, political and religious tensions. Worse, opinionated youths inebriated by the power of cancel culture which they wield recklessly and irresponsibly will continue to run rampant all over the country and on social media; and leaders lacking in foresight and vision will maliciously and mischievously take short-sighted electoral advantage of this new form of politics. These twisted leaders ignore the lessons of state collapse and failure, with Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Mali, Burkina Faso, and a host of others serving as cautionary stories of why states collapse. By indulging Mr Farotimi with mediatory excursions, Mr Obi obviously appears inured to the dangers lurking in the corner for a deeply polarised Nigeria, a country pulling in many ethnic and religious directions at the same time.

    There are many ways not to write a book. But Mr Farotimi is too heady to take any lesson to heart. He should be allowed to quietly go through the judicial process, since he cannot import a new justice system just yet. Chief Babalola should also be allowed to seek redress unfettered by the idiocies on social media. Authorial violence and the inconsiderate actions and intolerance of some loud and persistent public commentators threaten to destroy the country rather than reform the justice system or the myriad national institutions wracked by bureaucratic and regulatory disease. If care is not taken, and at this rate, the 2027 polls may very well become a tinderbox.

  • When King’s College London honoured legal giant Babalola

    When King’s College London honoured legal giant Babalola

    Legal giant Aare Afe Babalola’s aggressive investment and contributions to education development and his selfless service to humanity have earned him a prestigious fellowship award by the highly-respected King’s College, London. RASAQ IBRAHIM, who was at the epoch-making event in Ado Ekiti, reports

    human eras are replete with great individuals, who defined their history with the magnitude of their accomplishments which confound fellow human beings. One of the few in Nigeria is Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, an accomplished lawyer, elder-statesman and distinguished national figure.

    Last Thursday was one of his happiest days. He beamed with smile as a red carpet was systemically rolled out to celebrate his accomplishments.

    The exquisite Memorial Alfa BeIgore Hall of ABUAD, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, venue of the ceremony, stood still for Babalola as the foremost King’s College, London, literally relocated its base to the ancient town to confer its fellowship on the world-acclaimed and versatile legal luminary.

    Top government officials, community leaders, captains of industries, his family members, friends and well-wishers, who were dressed in various attires, added colour, glitz and glamour to the event. Indeed, it was a celebration of excellence, hard work and diligence of an achiever by all standards.

    Already, Babalola’s closet is replete with avalanche of diadems and honours from diverse educational institutions in sheer recognition of his selfless toil and sweat that have completely changed the face of the nation’s educational landscape. But, the latest award is priceless, being a garland from the “mighty King’s College, London”, a university reputed for historic legacies.

    Honouring Babalola is not a surprise to many, especially those who know his impressive antecedents, exemplary work ethics, inspiring penchant for excellence and humanity. The garland bestowed on him is reward of his selfless service and relentless dedication to the development of education, legal jurisprudence, health, agriculture and industrial growth.

    “Aare”, as he is fondly called, has made an indelible imprint in the sands of time in the realm of human capital development, thereby endearing himself to thousands, who had benefited from his selfless and humanitarian services. He is also reputed to have helped thousands of Nigerians to rediscover lost destinies and provided a veritable compass for those wandering in the cruel wilderness of difficulties and uncertainties.

    His accomplishments have proved those who see Africa as a dark continent wrong. They are wrong going by the story of the foremost lawyer, humanist, farmer and philanthropist per excellence, who looms large. Babalola’s enduring imprints is an eloquent testament to the power of courage, dedication, diligence and hard work.

    At a time like this when anything new and progressive is a great reminder of the sad flight of hope in Nigeria and its replacement by despair, it behoves only some die-hard patriotic optimists to take a progressive leap as an indication that all is not lost in our country after all. One of such optimists is the renowned legal icon, who rose from humble background to become a giant in all fronts as well as a household name in Nigeria and at the international level.

    It was in recognition of these towering exploits that the King’s College bestowed its prestigious fellowship on the ABUAD founder. This came barely a year, after the management of the King’s College visited the institution to study the secret behind its giant feats and announced a partnership with ABUAD on transnational education.

    During the visitation, the leader of the team, who is the institution’s President, Prof. Shitiij Kapur, was excited by the state of the art infrastructure and other facilities in the university, which, he said, are among the best in the world.

    He applauded Babalola for his foresight in establishing a university that could compete favourably with Ivy League universities in promoting scholarship and cutting-edge researches.

    Prof. Kapur said ABUAD had established itself as a reputable tertiary institution by bridging the educational divide on global scale and expanding the frontiers of 21st century knowledge at higher pace.

    He described the achievements recorded by ABUAD in education and healthcare as unparalleled and supersonic, saying he was amazed that the institution has over 8,000 students within 10 years, a feat which took the King’s College more than a century to achieve.

    The college’s president stated that his team came from London to learn from ABUAD how it was able to change the hitherto status quo and institutionalised itself as a dynamic force on the global educational map within the short time.

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    “It’s a privilege to see ABUAD University,  my colleague and I being inspired by what we saw. We come here not to teach but to learn. What we came to learn is the ambition and mission of this great university.

    “I am surprised that it takes ABUAD to go from zero to over 8000 students in less than a decade. It took the King’s College centuries to build a world class hospital that we have and you have built one in less than a decade.

    “So, I think the future is in your hands. They say humanity began from Africa and I think the century belongs here. We are here to embrace and we are here to contribute in whatever little way we can to your success,” Prof. Kapur said.

    He asserted that it was not by happenstance that the college, decided to confer its fellowship on the ABUAD proprietor, “but rather an audacious recognition of his immense impacts on education development and the society at large”. 

    Speaking during the investiture, leader of the King’s College delegation, who is also Vice President, International Engagement and Service, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, told the gathering the fellowship award bestowed on Babalola was a meritorious honour.

    Prof. Olonisakin, who extolled Babalola for his spirited efforts in advancing the frontiers of knowledge, said the King’s College’s management decided to honour him in appreciation of his efforts in advancing the development of education and the cause of humanity.

    He described the elder-statesman as a “magician” who has revolutionised the international education system within the short time of establishing ABUAD by raising the standard of education at the global level and grooming generation of future leaders.

    “We are here to award the fellowship of the prestigious King’s College, London to Aare Afe  Babalola, whose fellowship is typically bestowed  on people who have made transformative contributions to the development of education and society at large.

     “Usually, the recipient of the Fellowship of King’s College, London would be conferred at a graduation ceremony, but exceptionally, we have come here to present this award to Aare Afe Babalola,” she added.

    Urging the ABUAD founder to rev up the pedal and sustain the tempo that had made the institution a shining star, the leader of the college’s delegation prayed that the Almighty God will uphold the educationist in good health and grant him more strength to keep serving his country, Africa, the world and humanity.

    In his reaction, the elated Aare Babalola, who thanked the leadership of the College for the honour, described the fellowship as a further challenge to do more for the society and the education sector.

    He lauded the college for seeing the immense value that he and ABUAD have brought to the development of education and the society at large.

    He said: “I consider it a great honour to receive this Fellowship of Kings College London. I was very proud to receive the invitation signed by the Chairman of Council of Kings College, the Lord Geidt, stating that this Fellowship ‘is awarded to people who have had a transformative impact on the college through their work or activities or whose accomplishments are exceptional and align with the King’s aspirations and values’.

    “I am enormously delighted and pleased to have been found worthy of such a rare honour. I sincerely thank distinguished Prof. Funmi Olonisakin and all members of her team, who travelled all the way from London to Nigeria to present this award to me.”

    He added: “In 2015, I received Honorary Doctor of Law from University of London for which I am grateful. Kings College London is a respected college of University of London. However, receiving this Honorary Fellowship today gives me additional joy.

    “It is indeed an open secret that I have a special admiration and bond with the University of London and by extension Kings College London.”

    The ABUAD founder, who went down memory lane, said apart from primary six leaving certificate, all the education he received was through correspondence study. According to him, his partnership with Kings College, London was targetted at reviving the correspondence study system.

    Acknowledging that millions of underprivileged but brilliant people in Nigeria, Africa and around the world had similar problem, which deprived him from continuing school after primary school, the elder statesman said: “It has since been my earnest wish to provide same opportunity (correspondence study) for transformative education.”

    He expressed joy that the “Kings College, London warmed up to the idea and we established Afe Babalola Transnational Education Centre with the aim of reviving the correspondence education system and infuse with modern technological enhancements for greater reach and impact”.

    The ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, appreciated King’s College management for the honour bestowed on the renowned legal colossus.

    Prof. Olarinde added that the investiture bore an eloquent testimony that Babalola was an “uncommon exemplar of the power of transformative and purposeful education in Nigeria, Africa, and the World at large”.

    She added that the fellowship award has thus become a further acknowledgment of the academic excellence and quality inherent in ABUAD.

  • Babalola seeks 40% representation for women in political positions

    Babalola seeks 40% representation for women in political positions

    The founder of Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekitii (ABUAD), Chief Afe Aare Babalola (SAN), has called for 40 per cent representations for women in elective and appointive positions at all levels.

    The eminent lawyer harped on the importance of women to national growth and development.

    He suggested constitutional amendments to accommodate 40 per cent of women in political positions.

    Babalola spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, at an event organised by ABUAD’s Law Students’ Society (LSS) to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) in the memory of his late mother, Chief Abigail Babalola.

    The elder statesman said God did not create women to be at the back seat in the society.

    He urged women to support one another and be ready to participate in the political activities in the country.

    Babalola argued that when given enough space and opportunities, women have proven to be committed and dedicated to duty in achieving desired results.

    He said: “You know as much as I do that at all levels – local, state, and federal – only men are voted in. Thus far, all the Presidents in Nigeria have been men while all the governors too have been men.

    “We have a few instances where women are deputy governors. Is it a sin to be a woman? Did God create them to be dominated by men? Certainly not!

    “My suggestion is that women should acknowledge that nature does not make them inferior to men. Both have the right to rule this country. After all, women are not as susceptible to corruption as men.

    “Women respect the law more than men. Put in positions of power, they are more committed and more dependable. If you want an example, go to my university.

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    “I dare say that if women were at the helm of affairs in this country, we would have got in Nigeria another Goldam Myer, Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel (former Chancellor of Germany), or Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.

    “I suggest that the constitution be amended to ensure 40 per cent representation of women in the State Assembly, National Assembly, and in government. With that, Nigeria will witness progress in their partnership.”

    Delivering a lecture, titled: Inspiring inclusion: Men and Women As Partners in Progress, the wife of the Ekiti state governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, called for equal political opportunities for men and women to foster a just and equitable society.

    The governor’s wife deplored low percentage of women in political positions across Nigeria, saying this has prevented the voice of women from being heard.

    She said the Ekiti State example could be improved upon for men and women to occupy leadership roles without any bias.

  • Babalola urges Fed Govt to revive moribund farm settlement

    Babalola urges Fed Govt to revive moribund farm settlement

    • ABUAD founder is Africa Man of the Year

    The Founder of Afe Babalola University at Ado- Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has urged the Federal Government to revive the moribund farm settlements across the country.

    Babalola spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing reporters on his selection as the 2024 African Man of the Year in Food Security by the Initiative for Green Sustainability.

    The legal icon noted that revamping the moribund farm settlements across the regions would boost food security, agricultural production for local consumption and export as well as provide raw materials for industries.

    He said this would also create jobs for unemployed youths and reduce insecurity.

    Babalola recalled how the late Premier of defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, used the farm settlements to boost the region’s economy.

    The eminent lawyer noted that the establishment of the farm settlements brought development to the region as the revenue generated from them was used for building critical infrastructure and institutions that remained the pride of the Southwest.

    He stressed that the revival of the farm settlements should be made the nation’s economic springboard to rediscover the dying agricultural potential.

    According to him, the future of Nigeria lies in agriculture and not in crude oil.

    He said: “It may not be a crime to abandon agriculture but it is certainly a sin. Don’t forget the place of the Garden of Eden placed under Adam and Eve in Book of Genesis. This is a divine instruction that man must work and provide for whatever he needs.”

    “A special tribute goes to the First Premier of old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who appreciated the importance of agriculture. Between 1960 and 1966, he promoted agriculture more than any of his peers in other regions.

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    “A part of the activities of Chief Awolowo in promoting agriculture was the establishment of 20 farm settlements, the Western Nigeria Marketing Board, as well as providing healthy and improved seedlings to the farmers.

     “Others include encouraging production of food and cash crops, making local government to provide implements for farmers and making agriculture a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.

     “Consequently, people became interested in agricultural practices as a result of which the Western Region became the leader in the production of cocoa and palm oil.

    “Regrettably, most leaders after the exist of Chief Awolowo abandoned agriculture since the discovery of crude oil and relied solely on its proceeds as a major source of revenue. Its neglect has contributed in no small measure to the spiralling inflation, unemployment and food insecurity.”

    Babalola called for increased annual budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector, saying it has the potential to lead millions of Nigerians out of poverty and provide food security.

    He also urged the government to implement sustainable policies and provide modern farm implements, improved seedlings and soft loans to make agriculture more attractive for youths to develop interest in it.

  • Babalola urges Fed Govt to revive moribund farm settlement

    Babalola urges Fed Govt to revive moribund farm settlement

    Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has appealed to the Federal Government to revive the moribund farm settlements in the country.

    He spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti while briefing reporters on his selection as the 2024 African Man of the Year in Food Security by the Initiative for Green Sustainability.

    The legal icon said revamping the moribund farm settlements in different regions of the country would boost food security, agricultural production for local consumption and export and provide raw materials for industries.

    He added that this would also create job opportunities for unemployed youths in the country and reduce the level of insecurity to the barest, as they would be gainfully engaged.

    Babalola recalled with nostalgia how the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as premier of the defunct Western Region made use of the farm settlements in the region to promote its economy.

    He said the establishment of the farm settlements brought development to the region, as revenues generated from there were used to build critical infrastructures and institutions that have continued to be the pride of the Southwest.

    The elder statesman said that the revival of the settlement should be passionately considered as springboard to rediscover the country’s dying agricultural potential, as the future of Nigeria lies in agriculture and not in crude oil.

    Babalola lamented that the governments at all levels were not doing enough in the agricultural sector, saying Nigeria which used to be one of the leading exporters of cocoa and palm oil, has lost its place due to neglect of the sector.

    He said: “It may not be a crime to abandon agriculture, but it is certainly a sin. Don’t forget, the place of the Garden of Eden placed under Adam and Eve in Book of Genesis. This is a divine instruction that man must work and provide for whatever he needs.

    “Special tribute goes to the First Premier of old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who appreciated the importance of agriculture. Between 1960 and 1966, he promoted agriculture more than any of his peers in other regions.

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    “Part of the activities of Chief Awolowo in promoting agriculture are establishment of 20 farm settlements, Western Nigeria Marketing Board, providing healthy and improved seedlings to the farmers.

    “Others include encouraging production of food and cash crops, making local government to provide implements for farmers  and making agriculture a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools.

    “Consequently, people became interested in agricultural practices as a result of which Western Region became the leader in the production of cocoa and palm oil.

    “Regrettably, most of the leaders, after the exit of Chief Awolowo abandoned agriculture since the discovery of crude oil and rely solely on its proceeds as a major source of revenue. Its neglect has contributed in no small measure to the spiralling inflation, unemployment and food insecurity.”

    He, however, called for increased annual budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector because it has potential to lead millions of Nigerians out of poverty and provide food security.

    He stressed that the government must as a matter of urgency, implement sustainable policies and provide modern farm implements, improved  seedlings and soft loans to make agriculture more attractive so that the youth would develop interest in it.

  • Babalola splashes N 11.2m on farmers in Ekiti

    Babalola splashes N 11.2m on farmers in Ekiti

    Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, has rewarded outstanding farmers across Ekiti State as part of efforts to encourage farming and support farmers financially.

    Babalola, who doled out N11.2million to the best farmers in the state, said the yearly gesture was in fulfilment of his dream and to revive the interest of ordinary man in farming.

    The legal icon spoke in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend during the grand finale of 2023 edition of the annual Afe Babalola Agricultural Expo, where he distributed cheques to the benefitting farmers.

    He regretted the neglect of the agriculture sector, saying the Federal Government could encourage farming by giving successful farmers national awards, instead of limiting it to politicians.

    He noted that the current situation where the politicians are considered for awards will not encourage ordinary Nigerians to excel, urging the Federal Government to direct the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture to provide credit facilities for farmers’ cooperative societies.

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    As parts of ways to revive agriculture, Babalola said universities and other institutions where agriculture was taught should reduce their fees by 50 per cent, “as is done in ABUAD”, adding that this would encourage more students to study agriculture.

    “The monthly subvention to the state government should include allocation specially meant for the farmers in the local government. Local governments should form cooperative societies for farmers to enable them access such funds.”

    Underscoring why government should give better attention to farmers, the legal icon said “farmers are going through very difficult time at the moment, especially due to the recent removal of fuel subsidy and suffocating loan conditions by banks.”

    He said the era of cutlasses and hoes must stop, noting: “How many of us in Ekiti can buy modern equipment for farming? The modern equipment enable rich and highly educated people to engage in large scale farming, whereas in Nigeria, we continue to use cutlasses and hoes, thereby engaging in small scale farming. This must stop. “

    Babalola praised the farmers for their commitment to food security, saying “you have been here for a week now. Our university and the whole of Nigeria appreciate your interest, enthusiasm and in particular your cooperation in making our dreams come true.”

    The Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of other monarchs at the event, regretted that despite the fact that God gave the country fertile land and population, it could not feed itself not to talk of feeding Africa.

    He urged youths to stop chasing white collar jobs and embrace farming, saying agriculture had value chain that could be exploited.