Three traditional rulers from Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State at the weekend endorsed the ambition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Mr. Eyitayo Jegede.
Jegede, the immediate past Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, got the backing of Amapetu of Mahin Oba Lawrence Omowole, Olugbo of Ugbo Oba Dr. Fredrick Akinrutan, Olu of Igbokoda Oba Afolabi Odidiomo and Olubo of Obe Nla Oba Kolawole Ikuesan while on a campaign tour to the council to meet his party’s delegates
They said the aspirant, who is from Akure in the Central Senatorial District is eminently qualified to govern the state despite the agitation from some people in the North and South that it was their turn to produce the next governor.
Oba Omowole said Jegede “is qualified to govern the state” based on his pedigree and track records.
He added that no Ilaje indigene has come to seek his royal blessing for the same position.
“I have attended many fora on the upcoming elections, where some of the aspirants jostling for the governorship post were X-rayed and I can say that Jegede is the most qualified of them. Meanwhile, no Ilaje son or daughter has come to me for royal endorsement,” the monarch said.
Oba Akinruntan, who gave Jegede special prayers, said he was convinced about his mandate because of his maturity in handling issues and general acceptability across the state.
“Jegede has this uncommon quality in resolving seemingly tough situations in a calm manner. I can say he is truly our son and we will give him our votes without thinking twice. We will only plead with him to carry Ilajes along in his government,” the monarch said.
Oba Odidiomo described the aspirant as a very cerebral lawyer, who used his position as Attorney General and Justice Commissioner to promote administration of justice even among the traditional institutions.
Jegede hailed the monarchs for the endorsement, which, he noted, is devoid of ethnic or sectional sentiments.
Governorship aspirant on the platform of Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has spoken on why he wants the job.
Jegede said the challenges facing the country required people with extraordinary ideas to put things right.
He described himself as being in a better position to transform the state.
The aspirant, who is the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, spoke in Lagos yesterday.
He said: “I’ve been part of the Mimiko government from inception in 2009 and up till when I resigned in July and with all sense of decency, I was actively involved in the achievements of the government.
“I am in a better position to continue with our attainments in the health sector, education, agriculture, social services and many more, and even raise the bar if I’m elected.”
He assured the people that his focus will be to rev up the state’s economy.
“Dr. Mimiko has done so well in the areas of healthcare delivery, urban renewal and education. I will sustain that momentum and at the same time concentrate on revamping the economy of the state, without necessarily overburdening the people,” he added.
Dismissing insinuations that he was Mimiko’s stooge, the aspirant said his opponents making the claim were already scared of his acceptability across the state.
On the claims that his ambition would disrupt the zoning arrangement among the three zones; North, Central and South in the state since he is from the same Central Senatorial Zone as the outgoing governor, he said zoning has never been a consideration for electing governors in the state.
He said: “Election in Ondo State is never won on the basis of zoning, but on merit. Argument about zoning is being planted and spread by small people who don’t believe in merit. It is an argument that is deceptive and should be discountenanced by those who want the best for the state. Competence, efficiency and integrity should be the requirements and those are what I am offering.”
Jegede, who hails from Akure, the state capital, said: “My governorship ambition is not an ethnic agenda, it is Ondo State agenda. The real voters don’t know zoning; it is a contraption of some politicians who are afraid of merit. I see myself basically as somebody from Ondo State, somebody interested to serve.
“The argument against me is that I come from the Central zone and that I am not a politician. But rather than be a minus, those are my strength because integrity and merit are going to count. I have these and I am bringing them on board in the interest of the generality of the entire people of Ondo State.”
Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) is on the tour of the three senatorial districts to solicit support from delegates, ahead of the primary. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the challenges that will confront him and his party as the state warms up for the poll.
A pattern of succession is gradually being established in the Southwest geo-political zone. The governors appear to prefer technocrats as successors. In Ondo State, Governor Olusegun Mimiko is about to thread the same path. His preferred choice, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), is traversing the three senatorial districts to solicit the support of the delegates for his ambition. But, how far can he go?
Jegede, a native of Akure, the state capital, is not a typical politician. So far, he has been straightforward in his consultations with the stakeholders. He is unapologetic that he is fit to take over from the governor he has served for almost seven years as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. His emergence has drawm the envy of his rivals, following the tacit endorsement of his aspiration by his political leader. Having placed his hands on the plough, the legal luminary is not looking back. In the bar, he has a good tale to tell. But, can he weather the storm politically?
Analysts are of the view that the contest is in two dimensions. The election is between Mimiko, whose two terms of eight years will expire early next year, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) family. It is a popularity test for the politician fondly called Iroko by admirers. The main opposition party is working assiduously to get power. The PDP is guiding the seat of power jealously. But, it is also a contest between those pushing for the ‘Akure Agenda’ and the exponents of power shift to the North District. Akure, which has not produced a governor in recent times, has a date with history in November. The North, consisting of Akoko, Owo and environs, is undaunted.
However, in Jegede’s view, actors may have started relegating other salient issues to the background, to the detriment of democracy. “Integrity and merit should count,” he said, adding that he only wanted to be an efficient administrator, and not a run of the mill politician. “I want to do more of governance and less of politics,” he stressed.
The lawyer is confident of his ability. He told reporters in Lagos that entrusting Ondo State in his care is not a risky venture, pointing out that he has the understanding of the enormous challenges, its people, the strengths and weaknesses of the current administration and how to build on the feats of his boss. “Challenging times need extraordinary measures,” he said, recalling that he has added value to state administration in the last few years as a trusted ally of the governor.
But, Jegede has some hurdles to cross. Other aspirants are also determined to get the ticket. They are seasoned politicians, unlike him. The struggle for the ticket may be gradually putting the ruling party on edge. Other aspirants have said that they will not step down for him. In the crowded race are Third Republic Senator Remi Okunrinboye, Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi, a prince of Owo, Bamiduro dadam Chief Sola Ebiseni, a grassroots politician, Dare Eniolaa, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Adedayo Omolafe, Dayo Fadahunsi, Pastor Ola Amuda, Benson Amuwa, Dare Bada and Debo Ajimuda. In protest, some chieftains have even defected to other platforms, saying that Mimiko is partial.
According to analysts, the PDP may be warming up for a primary in an atmosphere of strife and rancour. To avoid post-primary crisis, party elders should brace up for the task of reconciliation. Another challenge is the crisis affecting the PDP national leadership, which has spread to Ondo. Some chieftains have pledged allegiance to the embattled National Chairman, Senator Modu Sheriff, instead of the National caretaker Committee, led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi. The implication is that, if the crisis is not nipped in the bud, the primary may be finally resolved in the court.
In a vague reference to his endorsement by the governor, Jegede said Mimiko, a governor, leader and delegate, is at liberty to support an aspirant of his choice. He rejected the label of a stooge or a lackey, saying that, at his age, it is odd to describe him as a mere stooge or lackey, having added value to the administration and the state in the past seven years.
The aspirant also said that zoning is a non-issue. Although he acknowledged that some aspirants have hinged their ambition on the sentiment, he said zoning has paled into a convenient argument for those hoping to benefit from it. Yet, in another dimension, he said he may emerge as its greatest beneficiary, if his campaign orgaisation and supporters decide to exploit it. Jegede claimed that he has roots in the three senatorial districts.
Born in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and the political headquarter of Southwest, his father, a prominent Christian leader, was born in Akure, Central District. His mother is from Ipele, Owo sub-division, North District. His grandfather was born in Igbotako, South District. “So, I can lay claim to any of the three zones. But, what matters are competence and efficiency,” he maintained.
After his primary education at Modakeke, Osun State, Jegede attended Aquinas College, Akure, and later the famous Christ School, Ado-Ekiti. He studied Law at the University of Lagos, Akoka. The turning point in his life was the one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Yola, capital of the old Gogola State. He practised in the Chamber s of Murital Aminu, who later became a judge. He learned at the feet of the eminent lawyer for 12 years. For 25 years, he traversed the North with his wig, winning cases and making friends. His path and that of Boss Mustapha, his senior colleague at the bar, crossed. “Mustapha would ask me to take on a brief for him in those days.” he recalled. In 2008, Jegede became a SAN. Later, he was invited home to serve as a commissioner.
Initially, the legal luminary was drafted into the senatorial race. But, he declined, saying that he could only aspire to the governorship. He entered the race at a time his Akure kinsmen have intensified their clamour for a governor from the state capital. Although Jegede conceded to them their right to agitate within the ambit of the law, he clarified that he did not initiate it. “I see myself as someone from Ondo State, ready to serve,” he stressed. In his opinion, the argument that a candidate from the Central should not succeed Mimiko because the governor is from the same district does not hold water. What is important, he said, is competence.
Jegede paid tribute to Mimiko, saying that he has performed in the last seven and half years. He made references to his strides in the health sector, especially the Abiye Hospitals, which have reduced mother/child mortality, infrastructural development and education. “Our mega schools can rival the facilities in some polytechnics. The school busses that transport children are captivating,” he said.
The aspirant noted that governance cannot be a child’s play in a period of economic recession. If he becomes the governor, he will inherit some of the economic difficulties that have confronted his successor. But, he said that he is up to the task. “These are hard times. But, I will not run away from challenges. We need to generate money internally. People are not ready to pay tax. IGR is going down. The way to go is a minimal tax without stress,” he added.
Jegede also said that his administration will build on the foundation laid by Mimiko in all areas. “Mimiko and I are different. The unifying factor is the vision,” he said. He promised to develop agriculture and revive the industries, whose resuscitation have been hampered by the power problem. He said Ondo should also return to its first love, which was cocoa production. “We want to grow the economy of the civil service state, create employment and build infrastructure.” he added.
•Aspirant promises to justify supporters’ confidence
There was a mild drama yesterday at the Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, as the party’s 10 local council chairmen worked out from an event, where the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, collected his governorship nomination form.
Six of the PDP council chairmen are from the northern senatorial districts and the remaining four from the south.
It was gathered that they were initially invited for a PDP stakeholders meeting by the state executives, but later discovered that the meeting was organised for the collection of form by Jegede.
The party leaders from the north and south senatorial districts have been agitating that the PDP governorship candidate must come from their districts.
They based their argument on the fact that there was an existing agreement on a rotation of governorship seat among the three senatorial districts. They added that since the outgoing governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is from central, the party’s new governorship candidate must not come from the central.
The party leaders were aggrieved that Jegede, who is the anointed candidate of Mimiko, is from central senatorial district.
Confirming this report, the PDP Chairman of Akoko North East, Mr. Tayo Oyedeji, said 10 of his colleagues from the 18 councils stormed out from the party secretariat.
He said they were not informed that the purpose of their invitation to Akure was for them to witness the collection of nomination form by Jegede.
Oyedeji insisted that the party candidate must come from the northern senatorial district.
But the PDP State Chairman, Clement Faboyede, an engineer, said over 800 delegates would determine the candidate of the party at the primaries.
Jegede, who resigned on July 22 to contest for the top job, obtained the forms at the state PDP secretariat in Akure amidst fanfare and solidarity by former colleagues in the State Executive Council, party leaders, well-wishers, family members and supporters in their hundreds across the 18 council areas.
Speaking after picking the two forms, Jegede said he was overwhelmed with the massive show of love and support by the people, who, he said, transcend religious, ethnic and party affiliations. He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by offering good governance which will consolidate and improve upon the achievements of the Mimiko administration.
Jegede reiterated his position that he is contesting to become the next governor to harness the state’s enormous natural resources to buoy its economic fortunes and enhance the living standards of the people.
Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Eyitayo Jedege (SAN) has resigned his appointment to pursue his governorship ambition. Correspondent DAMISI OJO examines his chances at the proposed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary.
Before his appointment as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State over seven years ago, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN)was a dark horse in politics in the Sunshine state.
He hails from a noble family in Akure, the state capital. His name rings a bell at the bar.
His sojourn in Adamawa State where he runs a thriving Law Chambers has brought him fame to the extent. There, he consummated his friendship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,a strong voice in the politics of the state.
Jegede’s rise to political stardom, however, followed his appointment as a commissioner by Governor Olusegun Mimiko. He is loyal and committed to the governor. The eminent has defended Mimiko, the state government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in court.
For over a year, observers have been speculating that Mimiko is grooming Jegede to succeed him in office. He has been receiving tutelage from the his principal, ahead of the November 26 poll.
His adoption by the governor has generated controversy. Other aspirants-Saka Lawal, Remi Okunrinboye, Adedayo Omolafe, Bakitta Bello, Bamiduro Dada,Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi, Dare Emiola, Gbenga Elegbeleye, Dayo Fadahunsi, Yekinni Olanipekun, Sola Ebiseni and Dare Bada-have kicked against the endorsement.
The PDP primary is scheduled for August 22. It may be a sort of coronation for Jegede as the PDP flag bearer.
Mimiko was said to have dared the aggrieved aspirants, who are not comfortable with Jegede to quit the ruling party and seek the ticket on the platform of any other party.
Jegede is from Akure. Mimiko, whose two-term tenure will expire in February next year, is from Ondo. Both towns are in the Central District.
Agitations for the slot by Akure people have been more pronounced, shortly after the Deji, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, ascended the throne. He is at the forefront of the struggle for power shift on the platform of the ‘Akure Agenda.’
The monarch hinged his clamour on the fact that, since 1976 when the Old Ondo State was created with Akure as the capital, no indigene of the community has ruled the state under any civilian government. Hence, Jegede’s endorsement by Mimiko was greeted with jubilation.
The development has created a crack in the PDP. No fewer than 10 aspirants have rejected his candidacy. Women and youth wings are also protesting.
Sources said there are powerful forces behind the adoption of Jegede. It was even speculated that the choice was even beyond the governor.
The leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement(PDM), Atiku Abubakar, some notable lawyers and other conservative politicians have indicated interest in bankrolling Jegede’s campaign.
There are hues and cries, following the controversial endorsement. Aspirants from the North District are bitter. In their view, the governor had taken a wrong step by picking his successor from his district of birth.
Mimiko had earlier intimated some political leaders and aspirants about his intention. But, they advised him to have a rethink. The stakeholders urged Mimiko and other leaders promoting the Akure Agenda to align with the rotational/zoning principle of the party. According to the aspirants, there was a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)on zoning. The agreement was to rotate the ticket among the three districts. Thus, they believe it is the turn of the North to enjoy the slot. It was signed by late Governor Olusegun Agagu, the late Chief Olaiya Oni, Saka Lawal, Otunba Fasawe(now in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusola Oke(now in the APC),Dr Gbakinro, Hon.Victor Olabimtan(now in the APC)and Kayode Pelemo.
Ondo North stakeholders have vowed to resist the imposition of Jegede on the party. They chided the governor for what they described as “a miscalculation that will further put Ondo North District at a serious political disadvantage, putting the state PDP at a loss and laying bad precedence in the state.”
The communique of the forum reads: “The signatories to the agreement align their position with the rotation/zoning principle of the party in accordance with the MoU reached by the party leadership towards the October 20,2012 poll that the governorship of the state should be rotated amongst the three senatorial districts.
“Eventually, that election was won by Mimiko for a second term from the Central,following a six year governorship of late Agagu from the South District.
“We stand by the MoU signed by the PDP leadership in 2012 that Ondo North should produce the next governor after the expiration of Mimiko’s tenure”
Aspirants from the North have vowed to shun the primary.
Another group, thePDP Elders Forum, in a communique signed by its Chairman, Senator Omololu Meroyi, Secretary, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi and Public Relations Officer, Hon. Yemi Mahmoud rejected Jegede’s endorsement. They vowed to resist the imposition by the governor.
According to the communique: “The next governorship slot should not be retained in the Central after an unprecedented eight years of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who hails from the central senatorial district.
“Aspirant from both the North and the South will not participate in any primary election where central senatorial district will be involved.”
However, Jegede is unperturbed. He resigned his position as commissioner last Friday to focus on his ambition. He said he hoped to serve in a higher office with his energy, time and sacrifice.
The former commissioner listed his achievements while in office. These include the review and publication of Laws of Ondo state and the signing into law the administration of criminal justice law 2015 by Mimiko.
In a carnival-like procession, the former AG was led to the Governor’s Gffice, Alagbaka, by the crowd, who were mainly Akure indigenes. He was later led to the Deji’s palace to pay homage to the monarch.
The members of the Deji-in-Council, including the kingmakers, palace and quarter, and honorary chiefs, congratulated the lawyer and promised to support his bid.
In the last two years, Professor Emeritus at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, United States, Prof dele jegede’s paintings most ly chronicle Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Apart from the celestial aesthetics series, the works are meant to provoke reactions as well as stimulate aesthetic cognizance to reconstruct the nation. As art historian, his works attempt to ‘disrupt the canonical imbalance in the historicisation of texts by privileging the Black perspective’.
But as a painter, he employs a ‘variety of media to inveigh against economic constructs and political shenanigans that wreak unimaginable havoc on unsuspecting publics while perpetuating the subaltern condition of the underclass.’
These and many interrogations and knocks form the thrust of jegede’s solo art exhibition of paintings and drawings entitled Transitions opening tomorrow at the Terra Kulture, (Nigerian Cultural Centre) on Victoria Island, Lagos. Instructively, the art of jegede who is not only a teacher but also a critic and social crusader, offers him the ‘channel to vent, chastise, and sound a knell about the state of the Nigerian nation.’
Transitions, which will run till July 23, is a body of works ‘inspired by events, political misadventures, life, and personal aesthetics, with the force of ideological proclivities that show him as a protector of the socially disadvantaged and the psychologically troubled’.
Unlike many of his colleagues who are stuck with landscape and common place paintings, the former President, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) finds social ills in the society as primary subjects of his works that mirror the ‘conundrum of our flawed and fractured sensibilities.’
The collection, which is thematised, is in two broad categories: First the non-objective celestial aesthetics series of colourful abstract paintings that show works dedicated to his late son, Ayo and secondly, paintings and drawings that provoke reactions on political imbroglio, poverty in the land and Chibok girls, internally displaced people among others. Serious as some of the issues are, jegede sometimes give a knock using satire and humour to convey his message.
According to him, thematising his exhibition is a strong policy he chose in order to comment on topical issues. “I don’t randomly throw works out in colours. I don’t produce works for collectors to like,” he said at a preview session in Lagos last Friday.
“My work attempts to rupture the boundaries that are installed in the way that we construct and affirm self hood in the way that we re-construct nationhood. Above all, I work primarily to express my individuality. It is conceivable that my work may touch a nerve or two, provoke a reaction, or stimulate aesthetic cognizance. That will be a plus,” he added.
Transitions will feature 30 works which include Internally displaced police, Boko Haram, Chibok agony of a mother, Generation what, Sambisa forest, Celestial aesthetics 1 to 3, Roforofo fight, Internally displaced politician among others.
As part of activities marking the 70th birthday of its former president, cartoonist, painter and renowned scholar Prof dele jegede, the Society for Nigerian Artists (SNA), will hold special events with the theme Introspection: dele jegede at 70. The events will hold at two venues; Department of Creative Art Complex University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos from July 23 to 24.
A conference will hold at the, University of Lagos followed by a Creative confab (stampede) at the Art Complex Foyer of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos by 3pm and would close with an art exhibition that runs for a week, July 24th to 31st respectively at Yusuf Grillo Gallery, YABATECH where works of Nigerian artists such as Joshua Akande, Kolade Oshinowo, David Dale and others will be featured.
According to chairman, Planning Committee for the event Dr. Kunle Filani SNA has decided to choose the Dele Jegede@70 event to commemorate and celebrate Prof. dele jegede’s 70th anniversary in appreciation of his unforgettable contributions to the development of contemporary Nigerian Art as well as the society.
“If we have five of dele jegede from different zones of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Nigerian art won’t be the same. When he was appointed as the president of SNA in 1989, he reluctantly and grudgingly assumed the office with the excuse of his age and availability of other senior artists. Within his three years in office, Nigerian arts witnessed transformations that turned SNA around for better,” he said.
He disclosed that the celebration will be of two categories, which include introspecting dele jegede’s contributions to the development of contemporary Nigerian art and contemplating the undercurrent of artistic creativity in contemporary Nigerian art with papers to be delivered by Prof. Jacob Jari of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Frank Ugiomoh of University of Port-Harcourt and the key note will be delivered by Prof. Ola Oloidi of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Dele Jegede@70 would open on the platform of a conference from July 23rd to 24th, 11am daily at the Department of Creative Art Complex , University of Lagos followed by a creative confab (stampede) at the Art Complex Foyer of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos by 3pm and would close with an Art Exhibition that runs for a week, July 24th to July 31st respectively at Yusuf Grillo Gallery of YABATECH where works of Nigerian Artists like Joshua Akande, Kolade Osinowo, David Dale, and so forth, the works of those he influenced and some of the works of the Icon as an artist in the studio as well as his academic life as a lecturer would be featured.
President of SNA Oliver Enwonwu said that the celebration is in concert with the society’s visionary statements of encouraging and promoting the works of artists in Nigeria as well as protecting the Nigeria artistic heritage by fostering understanding and appreciation of visual art in Nigeria through ensuring the highest professional standards.
He however used the opportunity to decry the notion that SNA has not been moving forward in executing the reasons for which it was established. He explained that the society has put so many structures in place to foster the development of Nigeria artists and arts. Some of the structures, he said, include removal of restriction placed on membership of the society as it is now opened to all trained students in the tertiary institutions, self- taught and Nigerian artists in diaspora unlike when it was strictly limited to formally trained artists alone, provision of funds for members of the SNA, hosting of local conferences, exhibition like the Introspection: Dele Jegede@70 and sponsoring of international trainings, conferences, and exhibitions which has spurred member artists.
“One of the problems of Nigeria is that we don’t chronicle the achievements; hence people tend to forget that SNA is making progress as the number of artists in the society keeps increasing as a result of these structures that have been put in place for all.”
The Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held a valedictory in honour of the late Prof. Michael Iyiola Jegede(SAN), who was its Dean from 1976 to 1980, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA.
Members of the legal profession, including Professors of Law, Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SANs), fromer students and the university community, gathered in Lagos last week at a valedictory, at the main hall of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, to honour a late legal icon and the fourth Dean of the Faculty of the university, Prof. Michael Iyiola Jegede.
Those at the event included the Deputy Governor, Osun State, Prof. Laoye Tomori; former Deputy Governor, Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama; former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia; UNILAG Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Rahman Bello; Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) Academics, Prof. Jide Alo; his Management Service counterpart, Prof. Duro Oni; the Dean of the Law Faculty, Prof. Akin Ibidapo-Obe; Sub-Dean, Dr. Kemi Adekile; the Registrar, Dr. Folashade Ipaye; Bursar, Lateef Odekunle; Prof. Akin Oyebode; Prof. Taiwo Osipitan; Prof. C.O. Olawoye; Prof. C. K. Agomo; Prof. Ayo Ogunye; Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo; former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Dr. Oluyemisi Bamgbose; Dr. Iyabo Ogunniran and Wahab Shittu.
• Wife of Prof. Jegede Oluremi flanked by her children Damilola (left), Ibilola; and Modeleola.
Also, at the session were members of the late law icon immediate family, including his wife, Oluremi and children, Damilola, Modeleola, Ibilola and Oluseye.
Bello, in a tribute, described the late Jegede as a great pioneering intellectual and towering legal icon who has left his giant footprints in the sands of time. Quoting from the words of the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike, the VC said: “He was a university teacher par excellence. He taught Equity anf Trusts with uncommon and ingenious clarity. He was a role model in academic leadership and great motivator of young lecturers and subordinates. He led by power of examples.”
Ibidapo-Obe, who gave a “hearsay evidence” of his knowledge of the erudite professor of law, said the faculty benefited immensely from his wealth of knowledge. He described the late Jegede as a titan in the legal profession during his life time who had an illustrious and unique career in the department.
“Counting his deanship in acting capacities, he occupied the post for seven years at various times – acting dean after Justice Elias for two years (1972 – 1974), acting dean (October 1975 – May 1976) after Prof. Kasumu was appointed Attorney-General of Lagos State and as substantive Dean from 1976 to 1980”, emphasising that no one had occupied the position of Dean for a longer period.
He also noted that as Dean of the faculty, Jegede instituted the departmentalisation of the faculty, expanded the staff profile and of the faculty and started the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) during his tenure as dean and became its first de facto Director-General from 1975 to 1978.
Prof. Taiwo Osipitan said his was a “first-hand evidence” of his relationship with Jegede. He said his admission into the faculty paved the way for his almost 40 years of uninterrupted association, with Jegede. He said his set, Class of 1977-80, matriculated and graduated during his tenure as Dean, noting that they were his last graduating set as Dean of Law.
‘’In Prof, we found a teacher, counsellor, friend and mentor. He encouraged some of his students to seriously consider lecturing in the Faculty of Law, UNILAG. He was never tired of recommending his deserving students for postgraduate admission in the four colleges of University of London. Prof followed up on his students in the various colleges of University of London, whenever he was in London. The meeting point, was the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Russel Square in London. Between 1979 and 1982, Prof. embarked on aggressive recruitment of young and vibrant Lecturers to the Faculty.”
He recalled that the first trial he conducted, was a case in which Jegede was a party. “ It was my privilege to lead Prof in evidence. He was a confident and delightful witness. The trips by road with Prof. to Ilorin, Kwara State, to attend Court Proceedings in the case were exciting and devoid of stress,” he said.
He also recalled that aside from pioneering departmentalisation of the faculty into four departments in 1978 during Jegede’s tenure, namely, departments of Commercial and Industrial Law, Jurisprudence and International Law, Private and Property Law and Public Law, he said many faculties of Law in universities have copied and are still copying, the departmental arrangement introduced by Prof. Jegede. ”Seven Professors of Law were appointed in the Faculty in 1980 during his tenure as Dean of Law.
University of Lagos is yet to witness such harvest of Professors of Law in one year. The first two students to be awarded 1st Class degrees in Law by University of Lagos (established in 1962), emerged in 1978 and 1980 respectively, when Prof was Dean of Law”, he recalled.
Former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan (UI), Dr. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, said hers was neither “hearsay evidence” nor “first-hand evidence” but ”historical evidence”.
Bamgbose recalled that when in 1981 the UI authorities wanted to set up the Law Faculty, after its searches, the lot fell on Jegede. Bamgbose, who was a 200 level student in the Faculty of Law, UNILAG in 1981, when Jegede was setting up the Law Faculty in UI, said she later became Dean of the faculty 27 years later. Bamgbose testified that the late Professor “built the Faculty of Law, UI, on a solid rock and solid foundation. Our Law Faculty would not have been what it is today but for a law structural engineer in the person of Prof. Jegede”.
Olawoye said the late Jegede was close to him and had a very good relationship. He said his notes to students were words of encouragement, stressing that he benefited from it immensely.
“He was a big brother, colleague, friend and many of his students became his personal friends and a great man in many respect,” he said.
Oyebode said the late Jegede was a consummate teacher of equity and trust. He recalled: “He was a good mentor who exuded such camaraderie to younger ones like us.”
Oyebode also recalled that the late Jegede was one of the founding fathers of Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU) when it was known as Association of University Teachers of Nigeria.
“He was in a class of his own and we don’t have his type again,” he added. Former Minister, External Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, who spoke on behalf of his former students, said: “Obviously, all of us – Professor Jegede’s former students – generations of now accomplished professors and scholars; private practitioners; judges in the highest court of the land and pre eminent public servants, will have warm personal recollections of our former dean in this foremost law faculty, that will be as varied, as they are inspiring.
“Suffice it to recall how easy it was to love and admire Professor Jegede in his trademark French suits, with his athletic gait and generous smile. He was conscientious and cared deeply for us his students and about improving our law faculty. He was always available, extremely patient and courteous to all, even to the least of us academic, non academic staff and students alike.
emic experience of his tutorship, and helicit our untapped potential, was his divine calling for which he sought neither acknowledgement nor reward.
“As a law teacher, and an elegant and persuasive writer, Professor Jegede was perhaps best known as an unrivalled expert in property law and a first rate scholar in the related subject of equity & trusts. His famous book “Principles of Equity” which was published a year after he left the deanship in 1980, and Trusts, Bankruptcy and Administration of Estates, quickly became standard works on the subjects”, Ajumogobia added.
It is not common knowledge in the legal profession that Property Law is made up of two crucial components. They are (1) Land Law and Conveyancing and (2) TRUSTS.
In Land Law and Conveyancing we contend mainly with the vicissitudes of Black-Acre among others while in the subject of Trusts we grapple with decoding the dizzying maze of concepts woven around FEOFMENT.
It is in this very difficult field of Trusts that Prof Michael Iyiola Jegede (SAN) held sway, control and dominance in the past five decades to the exclusion of any other Nigerian living or dead. Consequently in all the Faculties oF Law in Nigerian Universities where the subject of Trusts is properly taught, the name Prof. Jegede rang a bell, is appreciated and revered. Jegede and the Late Prof. J. A. Omotola (SAN) were indisputable icons of Property Law in Nigeria, nay Africa.
Founder of Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan
The late Prof Jegede set up the faculty of Law, University of Ibadan in 1982. He established the broad policy that entailed that to enrol for the LL.B programme of the University of Ibadan, a student must have acquired a strong first degree in Social Science, or Arts or Humanities. This freshivating programme produced great legal minds, such as Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), Niyi Akintola (SAN), Wale Akoni (SAN), Tunji Oyeyipo (SAN), Kunle Oyesanya (SAN), Justice Uche Onyemenan, JCA (Justice of the Court of Appeal), Kunle Omotola (President Real Estate Practitioners of Nigeria), among others.
Prof Jegede was a university teacher par excellence. He taught Equity Trusts with uncommon and ingenuous clarity. He was a role model in academic leadership and a great motivator of young lecturers and subordinates in the faculty. Every lecturer felt at home with him. He ran the faculty without geographical or tribal cleavages. In fact, nobody came close to Prof Jegede (SAN) without loving him. He was clearly lovable. His tenure at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan was marked by what American Constitutional lawyers refer to as power of example rather than example of power. The students and academic staff loved him dearly because, among others he led by example.
His cook and colleague
Prof Jegede facilitated my employment as Lecturer Grade Two at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan in March 1983. When I resumed duty, the Estate Department could not provide me accommodation. Prof Jegede invited me to share his professorial residence at No. 6 Parry Road, with him. He asked me to make use of all the rooms except the master bedroom which he used any time he came from Lagos. He stayed in Ibadan every Monday, Thursday and Friday. For the days he stayed at Ibadan, we lived together at No. 6 Parry Road, University of Ibadan – his professorial residence. I prepared the meals which both of us shared, polished his shoes and kept his room very tidy.
Sometimes as we reflected over lunch and dinner, I would wonder if it was the same Prof Jegede who, as my Dean of Faculty during my undergraduate years at the Faculty of Law University of Lagos, was so distant and awesome. I use the word “distant” because during my undergraduate years, the student’s problems were solved at the office of the Faculty Officer. We rarely saw the Dean except at the lecture hall. At Ibadan, he was humble and disarmingly human.
When he eventually resigned from the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, because the Senate and Council tried to disturb his enviable vision for the faculty, I felt seriously deprived and deflated. I began to count my days at that prestigious and highly revered premier university.
His legal practice
He returned to his lucrative legal practice in Lagos. The late Prof Jegede practised law with extraordinary strength, grace, resourcefulness, decorum, dignity, intelligence and elegance. He paid his juniors and interns very well and demanded fidelity and hard work from them. He showed great respects to the courts and judges even where the judges were his former students. Numerous successful lawyers in Nigeria and Cameroun had their post-call training at his posh office at Yaba, Lagos.
He was one of the greatest Brief-Makers in the legal profession. My friends at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court bear tribute that his appellate briefs were second to none in Nigeria. The briefs bred intimacy between him and the appellate courts and conveyed some hidden appeal.They were marked by orderly progression of premises and organisation seldom seen elsewhere. They narrowed issues to their tiniest edge and provided legal authority for every point.
It was said that he once turned down appointment to the Supreme Court of Nigeria because of his priced personal freedom and his feeling that there was no higher professional calling than teaching the law in our classrooms and espousing the law in high and appellate courts.
Le-ultimo vagio
Death came to Prof Jegede so unexpectedly at 81 in circumstances in which medical negligence could be surmised. He energetically walked into a hospital for routine check-up and had to be carried out stone cold dead.
As he begins his ultimate journey to mother-earth on July 10, he does so with an outpouring of our unchanging sentiments of deep love and nostalgia. We shall miss his good nature, strategic piece of advice, his comforting presence, his unremitting ability to render assistance in times of need and his equanimity in moments of crisis. We shall also miss his infectious smiles that might mistakenly portray him as shy.
Adieu, my mentor, my boss and my friend. May the Good Lord receive your beautiful soul in that beautiful city of gold.
Prominent lawyers described yesterday the death of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Chief John Kayode Jegede (SAN), as a huge loss to the legal profession.
Jegede, who spent 24 years at the Law School, nine of them as the D-G, died on Wednesday. He was 77.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, said the late law teacher was a focused and a noble man who was passionate about the profession.
“He was a teacher of teachers, a lawyer of lawyers. May his soul rest in peace,” Osipitan said.
Another SAN, Malam Yusuf Ali, said Jegede was the Secretary of the Law School when he was a student there.
“He became a SAN when he left the school and was a gentleman par excellence. He was someone we all respected. He carried himself well. Nigeria will miss him greatly because he served the country well,” Ali said.
Chief Rickey Tarfa (SAN) said the late Jegede was more than a teacher to him.
“I acknowledge him more as an uncle to my close friend, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), the present Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. We were in Akure less than a month ago to bury Pa Jegede, Eyitayo’s father, who is Prof Jegede’s elder brother. His contribution to legal education and development is immeasurable. I commiserate with the Jegede family and the legal community and the country,” Tarfa said.
Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), who was Jegede’s student, said the late Law teacher would be missed.
“Prof Jegede was a distinguished academic and Law teacher. His contribution to legal education in Nigeria cannot be easily quantified. I was privileged to have passed through the Law School at a time he was there. His sense of lawyering and penchant for discipline was emulated by most of us at the time.
“I can say that with the passage of Chief Jegede, Mr Adubi, Justice Orojo and Chief Ibironke, the early generation of Law School teachers has substantially faded away,” Nwobike said.
For Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said: “Prof Jegede was a kind-hearted man, an astute administrator and a shining light in the legal profession. He was my teacher. A good and noble man has just departed. We will all miss him. May his soul rest in peace.”
Former chairman of the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Taiwo O. Taiwo said: “It is so sad that the Bar has lost one of the ‘old brigade’ again, coming on the heels of the death of G. O. K. Ajayi (SAN) and Chief Theodore Ezeobi (SA)N.
“He (the late Prof Jegede) taught me and several others at the Law School when there was only one Law School. He was a great teacher who taught with ease and made us understand easily too. May his soul rest in peace.”
A human rights lawyer Mr Bamidele Aturu said: “He was dedicated to his work and he moulded us in a very positive way. So, his death is a loss to the legal profession, especially practising lawyers. I pray God TO give HIS family the fortitude to bear the loss.”
A lawyer and public affairs analyst Mr Jiti Ogunye said the late Jegede’s contributions to nurturing lawyers could not be quatified.
“…He the nurturing of our young Law graduates to become lawyers in Nigeria,” he said.
NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) said: “This is really sad. Mr Kayode Jegede was a very good man: gentle, humble and very unassuming. He taught me Law of Evidence at the Nigerian Law School as lecturer/Secretary of the Council of Legal Education.”
Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), who was also taught by the late Jegede, said: “He was a great teacher and administrator. He did his best for his country.”
A law lecturer at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mr Wahab Shittu, said: “Prof Jegede was an astute administrator and law teacher who had great impact on students who passed through the Law School…”
