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Tag: Babalola

  • Recession: Babalola stresses commercial agric

    Recession: Babalola stresses commercial agric

    FOUNDER, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola has advised governments to invest in commercial agriculture to overcome the recession.

    He said the nation should stop exporting raw agricultural products, and emphasise value chain production, retailing and development of local technology.

    The eminent lawyer called for improvement of farming practices and creation of markets for farm produce.

    Babalola, a big-time farmer, gave the advice during his investiture as the Life Patron of the Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologists (NASHCOB) in Ekiti State, yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He praised the initiative of the hairdressers to partner ABUAD in promoting Moringa Hair cream produced by his university, which he noted will promote the products across Nigeria.

    The ABUAD chancellor added that his university will create a programme, where NASHCOB members can be trained to learn more to perform better.

    Babalola said: “For Nigeria to overcome its economic problems, we must add business to agriculture. We need to develop our technology, improve our farming practice, innovate, invent and create massive and robust markets for our unique agricultural products.

    “Before the advent of oil, Nigeria was self-sufficient in many things. We made good money from agricultural products. Our naira was stronger than the British round and the American dollar.

    “But after oil discovery in Oloibiri in 1956, we abandoned that all-important income earner in favour of oil.

    “Now, the price of oil has gone down in the international market. But there is a way out: we should go back to our first love, agriculture. I believe the time has come for Africa to take its pride of place via agriculture.

    The Ekiti NASHCOB President, Mrs. Mary Ayodele, said she had presented the ABUAD’s Moringa Hair Cream to the association’s national body, saying the product will soon take over the hair industry in the 36 states due to its acceptability.

     

  • Babalola for EKSU convocation lecture

    Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Chief Afe Babalola, SAN is to deliver the convocation lecture of the 21st Convocation of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti on June 23, 2016.

    The renowned lawyer would speak on “University Administration: The role of stakeholders” at the event to be chaired by the vice chancellor, Prof Samuel Oye Bandele.

    Bandele said choosing Babalola to deliver the lecture was informed by his contribution to humanity, the rule of law, justice and for founding a university considered to be of high standard in Nigeria and abroad.

    Highlights of the Convocation scheduled to begin June 20, will be the investiture of the Chancellor, The Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Olu Adegoke Adeyemi, and the conferment of first/honorary degrees and awards of prizes.

     

  • Babalola: I won’t impose financial sanctions on students

    Babalola: I won’t impose financial sanctions on students

    Non-receipt of legal advice stalls case

    The founder of the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, has promised not to impose financial sanctions on  students to repair the damage done to the university’s property.

    Some students went on the rampage on February 7, destroying university property.

    Babalola, at a meeting yesterday with ABUAD Parents Teachers Consultative Forum (PTCF), said  taking the step would “unjustifiably make the innocent pay for the sins of the guilty”.

    Babalola said: “I have made up my mind not to impose financial sanctions on all the students as it is the practice in some other institutions .

    “It has to be appreciated that those behind the February 7 disturbances were less than 200 of a total student population of 6,000.

    “It will, therefore, be unfair, unjust and inequitable for me and/or the university to ask every student to pay for the sins and misconduct of just a few of them.

    “If I do it, God will punish me. But I know for sure that the Almighty God, who provided the resources for me to establish the university, is still on the throne.

    “He will provide the money to replace and repair the facilities damaged.

    “I established this university for a purpose: to make a difference, to show how a university should be run and to make the students better than I am.

    “But what a negligible few  have done will not and cannot make us lose focus, neither will it discourage us.

    “We have put our hands on the plough of quality and functional education, we will not look back.”

    The PTCF praised the founder for not closing down the university.

    It eulogised Babalola for his magnanimity.

    PTCF’s Vice-President Prof Olusegun Oladimeji argued that closing down the university would have led to disruption of academic programmes.

    Oladimeji added that it was the unwarranted closure of many a public university  that has made students spend between seven and eight years four a four-year programme.

    The don, therefore, urged higher institutions, public or private, to take a cue from Babalola’s uncommon maturity and understanding.

    He thanked those who empathised and sympathised with the university in its hour of need.

    The non-receipt of legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday stalled the hearing of a criminal case against 31 students at an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court.

    The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Soji Adegboye adjourned the case till Friday, following a request by the police prosecutor, Sgt. Caleb Leramo.

    Sixteen of the 31 students,  were returned to the Ado-Ekiti prison custody as their parents and guardians cried when the prison vehicle left the court.

    Adegboye had earlier stood down hearing to await  legal advice from the DPP, which did not come after the court resumed.

    Leramo then moved application for a short adjournment to wait further for legal advice, expressing optimism that it would have come at the next adjourned date.

    He said: “There is no legal advice yet. I will, therefore, request for a short adjournment, hoping the advice would have arrived by then.”

    The prosecutor also revealed that peace moves are ongoing between the parents and the university authorities.

  • APC chieftain carpets Babalola over Fayose

    APC chieftain carpets Babalola over Fayose

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Adedayo Falade, has criticised eminent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) over his alleged tacit support for the state governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

    In a statement issued on Saturday, Falade said Babalola’s “unproductive romance with the Fayose-led administration” is against the common interest of the people of the state, who are being subjected to poor governance by the current administration in the state.  He said: “We all respect Chief Afe Babalola, but we are shocked that he could not raise his voice against the illegalities being perpetrated by the government of Ayo Fayose in Ekiti State; rather, he appears to have chosen the path of injustice and illegalities along with Fayose.

    “Afe Babalola’s warm rapport with the draconian administration of Fayose is a disservice to Ekiti people. We are terribly shocked that Chief Babalola could close his eyes to all the anomalies and abuse of rule of law being unleashed on the people of Ekiti State by the administration of Fayose in spite of his (Babalola) impressive extraordinary exploits in the legal profession.

    “It is also disheartening that Chief Babalola could not caution Fayose when he chased 19 APC lawmakers out of Ekiti State and threatening them with death, while some of lawmakers were placed on wanted list for frivolous charges. It is also embarrassing that he kept mute over the illegal approval of the 2015 budget by seven lawmakers in a State House of Assembly that comprises 26 members.

    “Ekiti State treasury at the moment is in a horrible state. On a daily basis, millions are being pulled out of it without proper accountability and transparency, and Babalola would not see anything wrong about it.”

  • Okorocha approves land for Ayo Babalola University

    Okorocha approves land for Ayo Babalola University

    The Imo State government has approved some plots of land for the establishment of the Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) campus in Imo State.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha made the donation when he received leaders of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at the Government House in Owerri. The governor praised them for sustaining the university, saying it was a welcome development for the denomination to extend its educational services to Imo State.

    “The days of sectional differences are gone as every Nigerian should be treated as one, irrespective of tribe.”

    Okorocha noted that through the Rochas Foundation Colleges in Ibadan, over 70 per cent of the school’s population, who are Yoruba, have gotten free education and thus urged church leaders to embark on laudable projects that will benefit Nigerians.

    Okorocha added that financial assistance and other incentives will be extended to ensure a quick take-off.

    The General Superintendent of the Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria, Pastor Samuel Oladele, described Okorocha as a governor whose regard for God has brought tremendous achievements to the state.

    Pastor Oladele said as part of activities to mark the university’s 10th year, church leaders have come to Imo State to conclude arrangements for the establishment of a campus and seek the government’s assistance.

  • Babalola bags University of London award

    Babalola bags University of London award

    Eminent lawyer Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) is to be conferred with the honourary Doctor of Law (LLD) by the University of London.

    Chief Babalola will be receiving his 12th honourary doctorate from the foremost British university at the Barbican Centre in London, March 11.

    The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) gave the eminent lawyer his 11th honorary doctorate on December 20, last year.

    Chief Babalola has practised law for over 50 years, handling landmark cases at the Supreme Court . He is the first African to get the LLD of the London University in the 179 years of the institution.

    Former South African President Nelson Mandela was in 1996 conferred with honorary doctorate in Economics by the university. Archbishop Desmond Tutu also received a honorary doctorate in Divinity in celebration of the anniversary of the foundation of the university on December 2, 2008. Other past awardees include war hero Winston Churchill and the distinguished poet T.S. Eliot.

    However, unlike Tutu who had a close working relationship with the University of London and consequently served as Associate of King’s College and visiting professor in post-conflict societies in 2004, Chief Babalola simply stayed put in Africa building education institutions and investing his energy and resources in his homeland.

    A letter dated January 16 and signed by University of London Vice Chancellor Prof Adrian Smith, said the Collegiate Council of the university found Babalola deserving of the honour, which forms a part of the university’s international graduation ceremony.

    “Each year, the University of London International Academy is eligible to award honorary degrees on persons of eminence and distinction,” the letter said.

    According to Smith, a potential awardee must have met certain requirements, such as being ‘a person of conspicuous merit’, or one ‘who is outstanding in  a chosen field’, ‘commands international recognition’,  ‘has given exceptional service to the community’, and ‘has made important contributions to the university’.

    Interestingly, Babalola is a beneficiary of the opportunity offered by the University of London as external candidate of its examinations, which were first introduced in Africa in 1865.

    Reputed as the mother of British universities, the University of London has birthed numerous colleges in the United Kingdom as well as the Commonwealth countries, many of which later metamorphosed into autonomous universities. The University of London also nurtured Nigeria’s premier university – The University of Ibadan – which was established in 1948.

    Reacting to the award, Babalola said aside his “monumental” achievements in the legal profession, the strings of landmarks recorded by the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), an institution he established five years ago as a pacesetter in quality and functional education, also contributes to his new achievement.

  • Enoseregbe, Babalola, Atseye qualify for semis

    Enoseregbe, Babalola, Atseye qualify for semis

    Tournament’s top seed player, Clifford Enoseregbe, on Thursday beat unseeded Christian Paul 7-6, 5-7,6-0 to qualify for the semi-final of the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Tennis Open.

    Enoseregbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match in Lagos that he could not afford to lose the game.

    “It was not easy beating my opponent. He was a good player; I am impressed with his performance and his skill. It was a tough game; the game dragged to third set because he defeated me in the second set. I know that, at this stage of the competition, every player wants a win at all cost, and I cannot afford to lose my game either; so, I had to prove my worth,” he said.

    NAN reports that the game lasted for about an hour before Enoseregbe won.

    The defending champion, Henry Atseye, also defeated Thomas Otu, seeded Seven, in a match that lasted for two hours. Atseye won the game 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to also qualify for the next round.

    Abdulmumuni Babalola, a four-time winner of the championship, has also qualified for the semi-final.

    He defeated unseeded player, Moses Michael in two straight sets 6-1, 6-3.

    In the women’s category, Aanu Aiyegbusi beat Osereimen Airhunwunde, winning in two straight sets 7-5, 6-0 to qualify for the next round. In the wheelchair men’s singles, top seed player, Yusuf Wasiu, defeated unseeded player, Tomisin Adebowale 4-0, 4-0 to qualify for the quarter-final stage of the event.

    Alex Adewale also qualified for the quarter-final stage. He defeated Effiong Emma in two straight sets of 4-0, 4-0, while unseeded Adebayo Saidi beat Olanipekun Gbenga 4-1, 4-2.

  • Our products combine academic with moral–Afe Babalola varsity VC

    Our products combine academic with moral–Afe Babalola varsity VC

    THE Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Sidi Oso has said the greatest achievement of the Institution was that all the graduates are successful academically and also wellcultured. The VC spoke yesterday at a press conference, as part of activities marking the commencement of the maiden convocation ceremony of the university. Oso said: “Reports that we have on some of our students who went on internships and industrial attachments are that they were very wellbehaved, dutiful and innovative. This did not come to us as a surprise, because moral education is part of what our students go through. Even visitors to our school also affirm this. “The purpose is for us to have a total education system in which every student is taken through, not just the normal curriculum as recommended by the National Universities Commission (NUC), but extra efforts involving whole lot of other trainings, including food security, entrepreneurial and leadership trainings and international languages proficiency classes. “In a way, this will always give our products an edge over other graduates, as it would help them survive the supersaturated labour market.” The VC further disclosed that out of a total of 103 students who would be graduating from the Colleges of the Sciences and the Social and Management Sciences, 18 made first class grades. She also disclosed that the institution started with three colleges, including the College of Law, College of Sciences and College of Social and Management Sciences in the 2009/2010 academic session.

  • Afe Babalola’s appointment as UNILAG pro-chancellor successful mistake, says Obasanjo

    Afe Babalola’s appointment as UNILAG pro-chancellor successful mistake, says Obasanjo

    •Jonathan, Ajimobi, Fayemi, Mimiko, others pay tributes to legal giant 

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday described the appointment of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) during his tenure as a successful mistake.

    He spoke at the 50th anniversary of Aare Babalola’s qualification as a lawyer, held at the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Chief Obasanjo confessed that the mistake he made by appointing Babalola had turned out to be a successful mistake.

    According to him, when he was looking for somebody for UNILAG pro-chancellor, “and I picked Afe Babalola, some people said it was a mistake.”

    “I made a great mistake in appointing him, but today I have the opportunity to say it was a successful mistake”.

    Obasanjo, who chaired the event, said: “It was unfortunate that people go through life without making any impact, but when Afe Babalola took over as the pro-chancellor, what happened was mistake upon mistake.”

    He said the first mistake was that the university became the first in the country, and the Vice-Chancellor became the best in Nigeria.

    The former President said Afe Babalola also became the best pro-chancellor, adding that the mother of all the mistakes was that following Afe Babalola’s exposure and involvement as a pro-chancellor, he established Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).

    Responding to Brig.-Gen- Alabi-Isama’s interview in The Nation on Sunday, he said: “Aare Babalola used the opportunity he had as a Pro-Chancellor of UNILAG to build one of the best and a model university in Nigeria. If you want to compile the mistakes I made in life that would be another mistake.

    “Some people call me General of blunders. If I commit a blunder and successfully ended the civil war that is good. If I commit a blunder and I monitored transition from military to civil rule, if I commit a blunder and after 20 years and spending three years in prison, I was persuaded to come and contest the election, great blunder. Spending eight years as Nigeria’s President is another great blunder.”

    Gen. Alabi-Isama had said in the interview: “Obasanjo missed the point again. I am not a politician. The politicians in the country will judge his stewardship. I am just a military personnel. It is unnecessary to twist the story.

    “The story in my book is on the spot account of my stewardship as a Chief of Staff of the Third Marine Commando and Sector Commander.

    “I am saying that his blunders include running away from the enemy and he was shot in the bottom. He lost over a thousand men in one hour of battle.”

    Delivering the anniversary lecture, titled: ‘The Future of Law in Nigeria’, the former President of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, said Nigeria could only attain greatness with a great legal system.

    He said the path to greatness was through a reliable, efficient, trustworthy and value-driven legal system.

    Said he: “We deceive ourselves with the notion that our legal system is as healthy as it should be and delude ourselves that we can be a great nation without a great legal system.”

    Justice Ayoola went on: “Our concern should be how to make law work and rekindle the spirit of respect for law and the rule of law.”

    President Goodluck Jonathan described Afe Babalola as one of the greatest legal icons Nigeria has ever had, adding that he deserved to be celebrated because he has lived a life of dogged determination.

    President Jonathan, who was represented by the Solicitor- General of the Federation, Mr. Abdulahi Ahmed Gulag, said: “He is a man of humility and uncommon generosity. He has served Nigeria well and has continued to uphold its image. He has remained a pillar of support for true democracy and has also established a legacy for sustainable education with the founding of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).”

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi described Babalola as the father of the nation and an epitome of excellence.

    He said: “Baba Afe Babalola stood for hard work and perfection. You are a leader and a fisher of men. Those you have produced as lawyers in this country are lawyers of repute and outstanding character.”

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi said Babalola represented the best of Ekiti people, stressing that he is a workaholic, who always protects the interests of the masses.

    “The grace that God has given him is worthy of celebration. He taught us what humility and brilliance with hard work is. He teaches the core values to a successful life. You are a pathfinder. You have perfected many lives.”

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko said:” We are here to celebrate one of Nigeria’s best, who stood for true justice. We are proud of his accomplishments and exemplary lifestyle. You have made a great mark in your profession and contributed to the rule of law in Nigeria.”

    Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Caleb Olubolade; former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni; former President of the World Court, Prince Bola Ajibola; an industrialist, Chief Jimoh Ibrahim; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; Olugbo of Ugboland; Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Aladesanmi Adejuyigbe; the Ohiloyi of Igberaland, Alhaji Ado Ibraheem and retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Moronkeji Omolaja.

    Other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) present are: Wole Olanipekun, Akin Olujimi, Folake Solanke, Gboyega Awolomo, Yusuff Alli, among others.

    Appreciating the dignitaries, Aare Babalola described Chief Obasanjo as a determined person, who is hard to change.

    He added: “He is a hard working man, a lover of this country because he suffered in his field to bring peace to Nigeria. He is a lover of this country but many people do not believe that.

    “I thank President Jonathan for honouring me with a high representative, and other well-wishers, who have made this occasion successful.”

    Clarifying the reason for establishing ABUAD in Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola said the former Ekiti State Governor Oni and Ewi of Ado-Ekiti were responsible for it.

    “Although Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala promised to give me acres of land in Ibadan, Oni told me that he would give me land, electricity and water, but I’m regretting it today because the promises were not fulfilled,” Afe Babalola said.

    He attributed his success to his late teachers, his parents and family, who stood by him and encouraged him.

  • BABALOLA HOPEFUL GLO LEAGUE’S SECOND STANZA WILL BE BETTER

    BABALOLA HOPEFUL GLO LEAGUE’S SECOND STANZA WILL BE BETTER

    THE League Management Committee (LMC) has said that the Globacom Premier League would improve by the time the second stanza kicks off.

    The Executive Secretary of Glo League, Tunji Babalola, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the first stanza of the league ended on Sunday after Week 19 fixtures and went on a two-week break. The second stanza will commence on July 2.

    Babalola told NAN that all outstanding matches would be played during the break, to ensure that the league ended as scheduled. The secretary added that most of the outstanding matches were as a result of the continental engagement by some clubs.

    “Most of the outstanding matches are as a result of continental engagements, especially for Rangers International of Enugu. So, we have to give concessions. We intend to use this break for all outstanding matches, we are positive that we will trash this out before the commencement of the second stanza.