Hear what legal luminaries are saying about ABUAD’s college of Law:
‘’My visit to the college revealed the quantum of facilities and faculty as a world class institution. It is a testimony to the astuteness of the Founder Aare Afe Babalola. The award as the Best College of Law in Nigeria is appropriate because the College towers above others. The award is a catalyst of further development of the Law profession’’ Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘’The College has raised the standard of Law teaching in Nigerian University, which, no doubt, will breed thorough-bred Lawyers. The award is not a surprise to me, I saw it coming. Infact, it is an eye opener to the greatness of the College’’ Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN)
‘’The award is an honour well deserved. The College, though young, has contributed immensely to Law education by raising the benchmark for teaching Law in tertiary institutions. It inspires awe in the mind of established Lawyers and Students’’ Prof. Akinseye George (SAN)
‘’The award is the perfect icing on the cake of the Founder and President Emeritus of the University, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN); a legal icon who has spent his immense wealth in boosting Law profession and University education. The award, therefore, is an avenue to say thank you to this great patriot for bequeathing a worthy legacy to generations yet unborn’’ Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)
Without any iota of doubt, the truth has been established through comments from respectable legal juggernauts in attendance at the ceremony. Their comments also laid credence to the award bestowed on ABUAD College of Law as the best in Nigeria.
And so, Nicon Luxury Abuja, venue of the African Governance and Corporate Leadership Award 2012, was a beehive of activities. It witness the conferment of the best College of Law Award in Nigeria on the most beautiful and fastest growing private University – The Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti.
The impressive ceremony which was the brainchild of the Institute For Government Research and Leadership Technology attracted outstanding business moguls, captains of industries, top government functionaries, political big wigs, distinguished legislators from the National Assembly, experience academics and dignitaries from all walks of life, all resplendent in different award-winning attires. Indeed, it was a show of style and panache. The Atilogu dancers from the eastern part of Nigeria was on hand to add African cultural spice to the occasion.
Justifying the nomination, the authorities of the awarding Institute, described the College of Law as a performance-driven and result oriented institution, training future lawyers the art of employing sharpened skills to maintain peace.
The College was also commended for its programme contents and the available teaching facilities, adjugded to be the best in Nigeria and capable of competing with the best Law College in the world.
While presenting the commemorative, ‘’Ready-to-hang certificate and solid glass pillar plaque’’ to the Provost, College of Law, Associate Professsor Smaranda Olarinde; the Guest of Honour and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Senator (Engr.) Lee Meaba described the founder of ABUAD Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) as a man that exudes a disarming humility that belies his immense clout. He commended him for his vision and strong determination in reducing the rot in Nigerian University educational system.
Senator Meaba observed that the greatest challenge facing University today is inadequate teaching facilities. He called on wealthy Nigerians to assist the government because of the future of our children.
The Senator, disclosed that the documentary film on facilities in ABUAD College of Law which was shown at the ceremony depicted it as ‘’Simply outstanding’’ adding that, ABUAD is an interesting exception to the dearth of modern teaching facilities in many institutions of learning.
According to him, the award was not a surprise to him, rather it was a befitting honour to a man that deploys his massive investment into education, all anchored on efforts to educate, empower and develop the human capacity of our youths.
Senator Meaba therefore expressed appreciation to the organisers of the award for their thoroughness in identifying the College of Law as the best thing to happen to Nigeria of recent. He urged them not to relent in rewarding excellence.
In her acceptance speech, ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sidi Osho eloquently chronicled the facilities in the College which include the largest library with over a million Law books, 1500 seater fully air-conditioned lecture auditorium with E-Learning capabilities, Moot Court, Law Clinic and the introduction of Law curriculum that accommodate entrepreneurial studies.
She thanked the Abuja based Institute for the award which she said will forever remain an important milestone in the life of the three year old University.
Prof. Sidi Osho further disclosed that the award is an energizer to work harder for greater laurels and a confirmation that ‘’hardwork never kill those who thirst for genuine achievements, rather it pays handsomely’’
Earlier, three keynote lectures were delivered by eminent academics at the occasion. ‘’The Nigerian Constitution and Issues in the Cost of Governance’’ was delivered by Professor Olufemi Odekunle who described Nigeria’s democratic experience as one bedevilled with corruption, hence ‘’the government of the greedy, by the greedy and for the greedy’’
He called for the implementation of the aspect of the Sharia Law which recommended amputation of both Limbs for corrupt Nigerians. This, he opined will reduce to the barest minimum, the rate of corruption in the country.
The second lecture entitled, ‘’Reducing the cost of Governance in Nigeria-the constitution and the corruption factor’’ was delivered by Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan while the Director-General National Orientation Agency, Mr Mike Omeri spoke on ‘’Cost of Governance, Issues in Values and Attitudinal Change’’.
It was the general consensus of the Lecturers that Presidential System of Government was too expensive and provide breeding ground for corruption. They agreed that endemic prevalence of corruption and its magnitude has led to unquantifiable damage and definitive consequences for our economy and society.
They suggested a new constitution that will embrace parliamentary system of governance in Nigeria. They jointly called on citizens to move closer to God.
Contributing to the lecture, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) also enjoined Nigerians to be determined and work for the survival of the country. He reiterated his earlier calls to citizens not to vote for corrupt politicians adding that not all Nigerians are corrupt. He gave kudos to Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) for being an exception to the rule.
A dinner was later organised in honour of the College of Law by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and his wife. Speaking at the dinner, Chief Awomolo give kudos to the Founder for his sterling qualities of determination, perseverance and humility.
He said ABUAD was a manifestation of a dream and urged all members of staff to keep it alive. Chief Awomolo congratulated, the Council, the Senate and the entire ABUAD members of staff for their dedication and team work. He said the award has justified, that, they had not worked in vain.
Giving the vote of thanks at the dinner , the Acting Provost of the College of Law, Associate Professor Smaranda Olarinde thanked Chief and Mrs. Awomolo for the wonderful reception. She urged him to continue his outstanding contributions to the development of the University. Barrister Olarinde promised that the vision of the Founder will not die.
The Registrar of Afe Babalola University, Lady Christie Oluborode and the Officer in charge of Students Affairs, Barrister I.K Okafor were also in attendance.