Markets ,Shops Closed As Ekiti Celebrates Legal Giant,Afe Babalola 

 Oyebanji, Adebayo, Falana  Others  Grace Ocassion

– Afe Babalola  Floats N200million Soft Loans For Indigenes

By Sola POPOOLA

The people of Ekiti, particularly Ado-Ekiti,the Ekiti State capital  trooped out in their numbers  on Friday ,to celebrate one of their own , an uncommon philanthropist and founder ,Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola,SAN.

The  maiden Ade Babalola Day celebrations was  organised by Ewi-In-Council in conjunction with Ado Progressive Union.

Major markets and shops were closed  as guests and  indigenes thronged the Palace to honour  the elderstatesman. Dressed in colourful attires with caps  and head gears to match, the indigenes  were full of life as they dance to the  music  rendered by Ekit Cultural troop and high life music star BUGA . Some  Ado-Ekiti masquerades also entertained the guests.

The event held at the Ewi’s Palace attracted dignitaries from all walks of life.Notably ,tgovernor Biodun Oyebanji,  former governor Niyi Adebayo, Lagos Lawyer and Humanrights activist, Femi Falana , Bishop Felix Ajakaye and other senior lawyers were at the event .

Religious leaders, heads of government agencies,friends and well wishers  as well as  serving and former Vice Chancellors of the some Nigerian Universities were in attendance.A mongst them was  Professor Abayomi Fasina of the Federal  University,Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), immediate past VC of the Ekiti State University, Professor Eddy Olanipekun and current VC ,Professor Babalola Ayodele and Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde,

Also present were scores of traditional Rulers from within and outside Ekiti, President League of Imams &Alfas, Southwest,Edo Delta,Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere.

Former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu who is also an illustrous  son  of Ado-Ekiti led  Afe Babalola  to the event arena .

In his remarks ,the apparently elated Afe Babalola expressed appreciation to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti,Oba Ruphus Adeyemo Adejugbe and Ado Progressive Union for the honour.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the honour was a big challenge to him as well as to the good people of Ado-Ekiti.

The Aare Bamofin of Yorubaland told  the cheering crowd that no fewer than 2000 Ado-Ekiti Indigenes would  benefit from the first tranche of the  Multipurpose  Cooperative  Society instituted by him .

“I have incorporated two cooperative societies, one for men and one for women. Each of these two cooperative societies  will be given N100 million today in Bank Draft to enable  registered members to apply for loans to start his or her business.

“This sum of N200 million will provide loan for 2000 people at the my minimum rate of N100,000. Members will only pay 5% interest rate on the loan to  the cooperative society as against 20percebt to the bank ”

“First, I am challenged by the declaration of Afe Babalola Day to assist or promote  the under privileged young people  to learn from how I was able to study privately  and  obtain  degrees without attending any secondary or university .

“It is my pleasure to inform you today that i realization of the fact that education is the surest ladder to success and that there are many brilliant  but financially handicapped young men and women around , I have in collaboration with the King’s College, London established   the Afe Babalola Centre for Transnational Education where under privileged  but brilliant young people in whole of Africa and beyond will be trained and obtain university degrees without going to any  College or University.

“The second challenge inherent in Afe Babalola Day declaration is how our people can overcome hunger

“There is no doubt that there is hunger in the land. This is because we  consume more  than we produce . It is not the duty of government to produce  and share food among citizens . I am worried  and ashamed when I saw people queuing  up for food . I have taken up the challenge due to my experience  as a cooperative  inspector.  In economics,  I learnt that only a foolish man spends his money to do business .This is why any person who is knowledgeable about business goes to the bank to borrow money.

In his speech on behalf of the SANs at the event ,Falana described Afe Babalola as one of the greatest Nigerians ever lived.

He said the legal icon excelled both as a lawyer and proprietor, having attained the peak of his career as a Lawyer and mentored many successful senior  lawyers ,and for establishing one of the best private universities in Africa .

Falana described Afe Babalola as a rare gem who is always ready and happy to lift the poor and underprivileged.

The senior lawyer thanked Oba Adejugbe for the proclamation of Afe Babalola Day to be an annual event adding that the legal icon deserves to be celebrated.

Falana said: “Aare Afe Babalola is a man of destiny who rose from the lonely place in the society to the highest.

“He has reach the peak of his career and has also attained a special place for himself in the area of education.“He is a philanthropist who has assisted many people, he’s a man of achievement and attainment. He needs to be celebrated not just by the Ado community but by Ekiti people so that people like him can realize that the sky is not the limit in terms of achievement.

“We thank Ado-Ekiti community for giving honour to whom is due, and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti for the tremendous cooperation with Aare Afe Babalola.

“The Institution founded by Aare Afe Babalola is a challenge to other people in the society who are lucky to make money to invest in the society and when you invest in the society, you will take care of many people who are otherwise denied opportunity.

“There are other privileged people in the country who also need to sponsor students who are unable to further in their education because of family”. He added