Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, among other personalities, are expected to attend the celebration of the Afe Babalola Day on October 18 in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
The co-chairman of the planning committee and former presidential aide, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, while addressing newsmen on Tuesday, said the Ewi of Ado, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, has set aside the date every year to celebrate the revered legal icon and philanthropist in recognition of his service and contribution to humanity.
Ojudu revealed that the community will play host to dignitaries from all walks of life in the celebration of the nonagenarian over his efforts and impact on the lives of the people in the last seven decades.
According to him, the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) has demonstrated through his law profession, iconic educational and health institutions, and the industrial park that he is committed to the advancement of society.
The senator, who represented Ekiti Central senatorial district between 2011 and 2015, called on the state government to honour him, and the federal government should confer on him the Grand Commander of Officers of the Niger (GCON).
He said, “ Our revered traditional ruler, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, after due consultations with the chiefs and every son and daughter of the community, set aside the date to celebrate and honour one of our own, Aare Afe Babalola, for his contributions to humanity.
“ On October 18, our monarch will be hosting personalities across the globe in the palace for the celebration of a man we can describe as a rare breed and special being. You will agree with me that Baba deserved to be celebrated.
“ I have been searching and looking around across the world to see any man or woman who established a university at the age of 80. I could not find anyone, and Baba Afe is that man who has done the unusual with the iconic university, hospital, and the rest.
“ What we are doing is the best we can do for our Baba because honouring him at home here is the greatest we can offer him.
“ Now that we have done this, we hope the Ekiti state government will honour him as well, and we will be happy to wake up on October 18 and hear that the federal government has decided to honour him with the GCON title.”
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