PRESIDENT Buhari has mourned former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola.
Ajibola, a former Judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, Netherlands, died on Saturday at midnight aged 89 years.
Shortly after, the President in a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, sympathised with the family of Nigeria’s ex-High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
“His contributions to the development of our legal system cannot be overstated, serving as the Attorney General and Minister for Justice at a critical period in the nation’s history,” the President said.
“His patriotic inclinations, integrity, and passion for service and advancement of humanity will continue to resonate after him.”
In commiserating with the legal community in Nigeria and worldwide, President Buhari said that the outstanding lawyer and eminent jurist used his God-given knowledge, intellect, and talent to advocate for justice, fairness, and equity in all his undertakings within and outside Nigeria.
According to the Nigerian leader, Ajibola, having risen to the pinnacle of his career, took his brilliance in law practice to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, where he served meritoriously between 1991 and 1994.
He was also the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, from 1999 to 2002.
The President also sympathised with the government and people of Ogun State as they mourn this illustrious citizen for the educational and social development he brought to his community and environs.
Similarly, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the death of the jurist and elder statesman is “a severe blow to all of us who knew him.”
The governor “sympathised with his bosom friend, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and all alumni of BBHS over the demise of a dependable ally and a loyal schoolmate and the Nigerian Judiciary over the loss of its greatest assets and benchers”.
He equally prayed that God will grant the Ajibola family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
In a condolence message on Sunday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the ex-ICJ Judge for his legacies, sacrifice and dedication to nation-building and service to mankind.
Sanwo-Olu also praised Prince Ajibola’s contribution to the judiciary and education sectors as a lawyer, World Court Judge and founder of one of the foremost private universities in Nigeria, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The governor also commiserated with Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the entire people of the State, especially, indigenes of Owu Kingdom, on the demise of their illustrious son and elder statesman.
He said: “On behalf of the government and people of the state, I want to express my sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Prince Bola Ajibola on the demise of our elder statesman and renowned jurist.
“Prince Ajibola lived a fulfilled life having made positive impacts during his lifetime. The elderly and wise counsel of the jurist will be sorely missed not only by his family but the entire people of Owu Kingdom and Ogun State where he played active roles in its development for many years before he passed on.
“I want to urge the late Prince Bola Ajibola’s family, friends, judiciary and education sectors and the entire people of Owu Kingdom to immortalise the good name of the late lawyer and educationist.
“I pray that God will grant him eternal rest and give his immediate family, friends and the people of Ogun State, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
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