A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, has described Governor Ayodele Fayose, as a patriot, not just to Ekiti, the Yoruba race but to the whole of Nigeria.
The legal icon also described Fayose as a magician, among other such superlatives, who had changed the face of the judiciary in Ekiti.
Babalola poured the encomiums on Fayose for completing the ultra modern Ekiti State High Court Complex and naming it after the first Chief Judge of the state, and now a monarch, retired Justice Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti.
In a statement by Governor Fayose’s chief press secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Babalola was quoted as saying that Fayose had surprised ‘doubting Thomases,’ who did not believe he could complete the N1.9 billion High Court complex within the record time and also surpassed his predecessors in performance.
His words: “This is a special day because some 55 years ago, I practised law in this place. It is for Fayose that the face of practising law would be changed for the better in Ekiti. Fayose is a magician, miracle maker, visioner, architect, planner, an executioner, a patriot from Ekiti, from Yoruba land and to the whole of Nigeria.
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“When on October 12, 2016 he promised to change the face of the judiciary to modern structure, and vowed to complete it in 18 months, there were ‘doubting Thomases,’ but now he has done it. He is a wonderful man.
“Our hope was that we would make Ekiti the best place in Nigeria. Those who are blessed and are Ekiti and whom we relied on at that time have not lived up to our expectations, except, of course, for me who has been able to put up a tertiary institution that has become the best in the country.
“We, therefore, urge our blessed Ekiti sons and daughters to come home and develop the state,” he said.
Also lauding the governor for naming the complex after him, Oba Ajakaiye, said: “The plan to have the High Court complex started in 1998. That dream has now been realised by the vision of our dynamic leader, Fayose. It is also noteworthy that this is the first time a High Court complex would be named after an individual. It is more gratifying that it was done when I am alive to savour the honour. I am therefore immensely grateful to the government of Ekiti State, ably led by Governor Ayo Fayose.”
Chief Mike Ozekhome, (SAN) also praised Fayose’s efforts in delivering sound and purposeful leadership for his people.
“Fayose’s efforts have shown that he has ideas that rule the world, not necessarily by wealth. Ekiti State is one of the poorest in Nigeria, but today, it is one of the richest in terms of infrastructure.
“Ekiti State is lucky to have a very strong-willed and determined young man, who is convinced and carries out things according to the convictions of his conscience and according to the directives of God at this critical time,” he stated.
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayo Daramola, commended the effort, stating that “while the immediate past government had given excuses of low income for not being able to build a befitting complex, this administration led by Governor Fayose has demonstrated uncommon love for the judiciary and made our dreams come true. I sincerely appreciate his work.”
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