An Ogun State chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Otunba Segun Showunmi has paid glowing tributes to the departed international jurist and former Attorney-General of the federation, Prince Bola Ajibola who died early hours of Sunday at 89
While celebrating the purposeful life and times of the Egba-Owu, Ogun State born former Judge of International Court of Justice, The Hague in Netherlands, Otunba Segun Showunmi disclosed that rather than mourning, the almighty God should be thanked for giving the late jurist grace to live an undeniable impactful life leaving behind uncommon legacies as a very knowledgeable Moslem and renowned promoter of sound education laced with strong morals and fear of almighty Allah.
Showunmi said that the avowed love the renowned jurist had for education made him established Crescent University, Abeokuta which has continued to blaze the trail in academic excellence.
The public affairs analyst recalled when he hosted the Late Judge on his rested television programme, The Lion’s den during when the former Chairman of Ogun State Council of Elders gave a good account of himself as one of the few respected voices on international affairs in Nigeria.
Showunmi said “for some time now, our baba had been out of public view, certainly, it was a result of the infirmity of old age, so it was not surprising that Abdul Jabar Bola Ajibola has gone the way of all mortals, His creator has called him and his earthly sojourn has ended!
“Shall we mourn his loss or shall we be thankful to God for an impactful life of service with numerous landmark achievements, a world-class jurist, a devoted and knowledgeable moslem man of faith, a promoter of education cum morals with his Islamic-influenced university, a man of deep tradition of Owu royalty, an administrator and respected international arbiter.
“We must do both, we mourn the passing of a man whose impact will live after him for a few generations In Sha Allah, we will be thankful that it pleased his creator to birth him within us granting us the time we shared.
“I remember having him in The Lion’s Den, a no hold barred interview session I had with him, he was honest and straight talking, I asked him about Bakassi and why we should lose our land, I challenged him that he did not go far enough especially as I thought he failed to bring up the exchange between Germany and France that gave room for that part of the partitioning.
“I asked him why our Egbaland should lose Bakatari to Ibadan, it was a mutually respecting encounter and we kept the respect till age prevented him from more engaging conversations.
We have lost an easy to talk to elder, one of our iroko has fallen, Omo Oba, Omo Olowu, Omo Amolese bi alari, Omo Asukun Gbade, Omo Afi Isu fo Igba Epo. Sun re o. Fair thee well Bola Ajibola” the statement concluded.