The news of the death of Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN this morning, in the Holy month of Ramadan, marked the end of a golden era in the history of our country.
The departed jurist impacted our world, partly the country's jurisprudence in a manner unprecedented - in the league of such legal giants at the bar such as the late Frederick Rotimi Williams SAN aka " Timi the law", the late Chief Kehinde Sofola SAN, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, the late Chief GOK Ajayi SAN, amongst others and on the bench such jurists of note such as Hon justice Chukwudifu oputa, JSC, Hon Justice Anthony ldigbe JSC, Hon Justice Kayode Eso JSC, amongst others.
The departed was one of our finest in terms of stellar contributions.
Name it, he achieved them all. He was a foremost legal practitioner. He was a bar man par excellence, rising to the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association as one of its former Presidents. He was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on account of distinction and excellence in legal practice.
The departed was appointed to the exalted position of Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and served in that capacity meritoriously. He was one of those who first discovered the talents of the current Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN, who he appointed as his Special Assistant during his tenure.
The departed jurist also served as a Judge of the International Court of Justice at the Hague, thereby contributing to the body of world jurisprudence in strengthening International peace, order and security.
At the end of his service years, he returned home to found and float Crescent University, Abeokuta as his major contribution to quality education in the country. The Crescent University, Abeokuta stands today as one of his lasting legacies for which he will forever be remembered.
Prince Bola Ajibola raised successful children. One of them is the cerebral Adesegun Ajibola SAN, a remarkable symbol of excellence.
At the University of Lagos, the departed institutionalised yearly awards for outstanding law faculty graduating students as a mark of his commitment to excellence. I feel proud to be one of the recipients of his award in 1986 when l won the Bola Ajibola's prize as the best-graduating student in Public International Law. It is one award that l cherish greatly and serves for me as a permanent reminder of the stellar contributions of the departed jurist to our body of jurisprudence- at least one of them for which many have benefitted and will continue to benefit for many years to come.
In closing, it can be said in favour of the departed jurist that he came, saw and conquered.
He was brilliant, intelligent, cerebral, deep, scholarly, quintessential and engaging. He was an uncommon patriot of the finest hue- perhaps one of the very best this country has ever produced.
The departed was a man of faith and contributed enormously to the propagation of Islam and its teachings.
He will be sorely missed. He deserves a National burial, except that being a devout Muslim, burial arrangements by tradition, are devoid of fanfare and ceremonies.
Farewell, Prince Bola Ajibola SAN.
Life levels all men,
Death reveals the Eminent.
Here goes the Truly Eminent soul.
Farewell, Farewell, Farewell.
Wahab Shittu SAN