Friday 10th May, 2013 had Barristers and dignitaries from all works of life to attend Aare Afe Babalola’s 3rd Annual Lecture that took place at the Multi-purpose Hall of the great Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.
Addressing the audience at the event was the Chairman, NBA, Ado-Ekiti Branch, Mr. J .O Ajewumi (Esq), who acknowledged the founder for his numerous contributions in the restoration of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and paving ways for new educational system in Nigeria.
In his praise, he was delighted and thanked God almighty for His faithfulness in ensuring journey mercies for everyone that was present both from within and outside Ekiti. He said contributions of Aare to humanity cannot be over emphasized, and therefore said his footprints would be found almost in all strata of human endeavour. According to the Chairman, Aare Afe Babalola’s contributions through advocacy skill and to the development of Nigerian Law has made the former chairman of the association described him as Special Specie of Homo Sapiens Creator.
Judging from the empirical records from the Founder’s citation, He said establishment of ABUAD by Aare, is one the greatest contributions to mankind – the University is intellectual in Nature, rare and its unique value is exhaustible and unquestionable.
The Annual Lecture that was specially organized by Aare Afe Babalola discussed the contemporary issues of National and international importance, which was examined by scholars from various fields and those in governance, would pay attention and have the right attitude to the outcome of the exercise. It serves as the veritable source for policy formulations and implementations to government at all levels in Nigeria. It would proffer permanent and lasting solutions to the present security challenge in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Bar Association President, Mr. Okey Wali, who was the chairman of the occasion, gave his remarks by praising the Founder/President Emeritus, Aare Afe Babalola for his unrelenting efforts in establishing one of the best citadels of learning among the Nigerian Universities. He thanked the Executive governor of Ekiti state, who was represented by Mr. Dayo Apata, the Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ekiti State and other guests that were present at the occasion for being part of the event.
The NBA President congratulated the Nigerian Bar Association, Ekiti Branch for organizing a programme that could shape and contribute to the development of Nigeria. He stressed, Aare has been the major pillar behind the (NBA) and prayed that God in His infinite mercy should grant him the strength to continue with his selfless service rendering to humanity.
The Chairman of the occasion laid emphasis on relevance of the theme of the occasion tagged: Nigeria’s Security Challenges: The need for a new legal order? He perceived this as a way of proffering workable solution to current issues on security challenges facing Nigeria.
In the lecture titled Nigeria Security Challenges: Genesis and Possible Redemption–Dr. Jhalil Balewa, a son of the late Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, surgically traced Nigeria’s Security Challenges through the Pre- Colonial era to the contemporary issues and later gave possible recommendations to combat the current security problems in Nigeria.
He stressed on the fact that, out of 250 ethnic nationalities, many of the ethnic minorities are crying of economic and political marginalization and social inequalities. He also traced the lapses of some of our leaders in the past both military and civilian regime that resuscitated the unsolved problems Nigerians are facing in the country today. He argued that good leadership and governance characterized by the honesty, trust, transparency, and confidence building are basic necessities and fundamental tools to handle conflict resolutions in Nigeria.
Dr. Jhalil Balewa suggested in his concluding remarks, that, Nigeria does not need new law but balance the enforcement of those in our Law books, by advocating civic education and charged the Nigerian Bar association (NBA) with the responsibility of disseminating and explaining to the citizenry their right and what they could reasonably expect from those that are governing them.
Despite his inexperience in History and law, the guest lecturer said, in order to promote peace, stability and national integration in Nigeria; national interest should over-ride personal or group interest with larger efforts put in place to strengthen vehicles of social control and social institutions namely: Family, Law, Religion and the political system.
In his response, the Founder, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola thanked the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado Ekiti Branch for organizing the Annual Lecture in his honour and promised to make available the resources for subsequent annual lectures in perpetuity. He specially thanked the President of the Nigerian Bar Association for taking his time in commemorating the efforts of the NBA, Ekiti Branch and urged him to breed spirit of oneness among other members.
Present at the event were: Wife of the Founder of Afe Babalola University, Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) – Okey Wali (SAN), J .O Adewumi (Esq), Chairman (NBA) Ado-Ekiti Branch, Deputy Registrar, Court of Appeal, Ekiti Division – Ezeogu Paul Yvonne Esq, Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, Representative of the Governor, Mr. Dayo Apata, Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ekiti State, Vice chancellor, ABUAD with other principal officers, staff and students of the institution.