For the first time ever, the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado Ekiti Branch, has instituted an annual Law Week for the Association. The main rationale behind the Law Week is to immortalize Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, LL.D, OFR, CON, through an Annual Public Lecture. The proposed Annual Lecture series are in recognition of the unquantifiable philanthropic contributions of the legal icon to humanity in general and the Ekiti people in particular, and also the prime place he occupies in the legal profession within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Over the years, exclusively in the law ramification, Aare Afe Babalola has trained over 2000 lawyers amongst whom are Judges, Ministers, Attorney Generals- both at the State and the Federal levels, State Commissioners and over 14 Senior Advocates. He has as well authored several law books. Aare Afe Babalola has an unequalled passion for human and community development which he has demonstrated through annual scholarship awards, and cash donations for projects, among which is the newly completed ultra modern Bar Centre donated to the NBA, Ado Ekiti Branch which was commissioned on Thursday, March 3, 2011.
According to Barrister Owoseeni Ajayi, “We considered it necessary to do this in appreciation of what Baba has done for us in this Branch and for humanity in general”. This year’s annual lecture, the epoch-making in the series, organized by the Nigerian Bar Association in honour of the philanthropist, Aare Afe Babalola, was titled: “The Role of the Legal Profession in promoting an Enduring Democratic Culture in Nigeria” and was delivered by Honourable Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi, C.O.N., JSC (Rtd).
In his lecture, the retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Pius Aderemi disclosed that the various pronouncements made by the nation’s courts have helped to uphold the democratic culture in Nigeria but like any other human institutions, there was always room for improvement.
Justice Aderemi who held his audience spell bound for a period of time, revealed that the judiciary has contributed immensely to the growth of democracy in the country.