The Emir of Ilorin and the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari (CFR) has advised the founder/ President Emeritus of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola to be strong in his pursuit of excellence for mankind because he will face a lot of challenges. He gave the advice at Ado- Ekiti, during his two day courtesy visit to the Afe Babalola University, Ado- Ekiti (ABUAD), in Ekiti State.
The Emir lauded Aare’s contribution to the growth, development and sustainability of legal education and practice in Nigeria. Alhaji (Dr) Sulu Gambari who described Aare Afe Babalola as a self made man, an excellent visioner, hope of the country Nigeria, who is absolutely ahead of his peers, commended Aare for establishing the University and maintaining it to the forefront level which the institution now occupies.
He thanked the founder for keeping him abreast of happenings from when the university was simply a dream and a concept that had life only in the imagination of the founder. Today, that dream is a reality, you can touch it, you can feel it, and you can see it. It exists.
The Emir expressed gratitude to Aare Afe Babalola for greatly enhancing his own strategy of approach and analysis, adding that Aare’s philosophy that “Nothing is impossible, and that good intentions are not always enough whereas, the smallest deed is better than the greatest intention” will forever remain evergreen in his memory.
Alhaji (Dr) Sulu Gambari After visiting various colleges, the Multi-Purpose Hall, hostels cafeterias and the ABUAD Ventures comprising, the Bakery, Laundry, Water Plant, he expressed his delight at the significant physical and academic developments going on in the University by alluding in a Yoruba, maxim, “Iroyin ko to afoju ba” meaning that words alone cannot express what he had seen on campus. The concept, according to him, is splendid, while implementation is extra- ordinary. That ABUAD is less than four years old with all these infrastructure which are second to none, in beauty and aesthetic designs is a vote of confidence and credibility of the Aare Afe Babalola brand and a true representation of his impeccable personality of hard work, determination, excellence and passion.
Addressing the Press, Alhaji Sulu Gambari announced the institution of an Endowment Fund from which the best Student in Land Law and Equity would be rewarded and the best Student in Leadership Skills.
He called ABUAD the beginning of good things for Nigeria, a veritable hallmark of excellence, a factory for transformatory University education and the greatest gift by any Nigerian to the present generation and generations yet unborn.
The Emir, while praying to Allah to grant Aare Afe Babalola long life and good health, also committed the university to the care of Allah, affirming that “No weapon fashioned against the school shall prosper.”
At the ABUAD farms where the Emir was amazed when he saw fifteen fishponds, another fifteen under construction, with over a million fish at a time, over half a million teak trees and currently nursing, over 250 thousand Melina trees, thousands of Palm trees, Oranges and other perennial crops, he said the Nigerian economy, which today is “Like a vehicle with bad tyres”, acknowledged, that with, Aare’s efforts, there is a good pointer that Nigeria will be great again.
Earlier, the Founder/President Emeritus of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola in his remark, expressed his appreciation to the Emir for finding time, out of his very busy schedule, to visit the university. He explained the rationale behind the establishment of the institution which he said was packaged to be an invaluable contribution devoid of vices like cultism, student demonstrations and incessant strikes.
Aare further explained that ABUAD was meant to be a model of what a real University and a world class educational centre of excellence should be in academics, character, sports and vocational development, with the singular aim of producing highly skilled and socially relevant graduates, capable of applying scientific knowledge for the resolution of social problems.
He thanked the Emir for identifying with his goals and called on other patriotic citizens, to visit ABUAD with a view to encouraging us.
Aare Afe Babalola later commiserated with the Emir for the death of Baba Oloye- Dr. Olusola Saraki. He prayed for the repose of the late political juggernaut.
On the Emir’s entourage were some of his Chiefs and religious Clerics, while the ABUAD family was led by the Founder and his wife, Yeye Modupe Babalola.
Written by Ayo Omotoso