Ado-Ekiti—The founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has been named the 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot by the Association of United Nations Ambassadors for Peace.
The award is coming on the heels of the alleged defamation of the nonagenarian by a human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’
The award notification was contained in a letter addressed to the legal icon and co-signed by the selection committee chairman and secretary, Prof Joseph Mfon and Prof Barika Saro-Laka respectively.
According to the association, Afe Babalola is described as a detribalised nationalist whose impact of selfless activities is novel and cherished by leaders within Africa and beyond.
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The legal luminary will be honoured for being a ranking provider of employment to over 1,600 Nigerians across different tribes and cultures
He will be also awarded for his giant strides in the legal profession, by producing the highest number of lawyers in Africa, 100 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), numbers of Judges and Attorneys General of the Federation.
He will also be celebrated for the establishment of his self-funded University, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), to reduce illiteracy, crimes and ignorance.
The award ceremony will take place at the Labour House, Abuja on Thursday, 9th January, 2025.
The letter read in part, “Approval of nomination for conferment of our pioneer merit award of 2024 best Nigerian patriots award on your dignified personality
“Let it be know to the world test we have approved the conferment of our pioneer merit award of 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot’s Award on your dignified icon, as a result of the quality and consistent points of merit you have posted in impacting the lives of humanity while improving the society in different sectors of the economy.
“As a mark of celebrating your perpetual honour and spreading the impact of your iconic figure, we shall fete 300 widows verified and registered under the National Association of Nigerian Widows (NANIWO) with Christmas raw food packs/ingredients and a token cash for transport.
“We are honouring you for being a detribalised nationalist whose impact of selfless activities is novel and this cherished by leaders within Africa and beyond
“Top ranking provider of employment without discrimination to over 1,600 people cut across different tribes and cultures
“Cherished for producing the highest number of lawyers in Africa
“Credited with producing over 100 Senior Lawyers known as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and respected for producing some Judges and Attorneys General of the Federation”.