Buhari, Senate President, Obasanjo, Afenifere, Jonathan, Atiku, Others Extol Ex-AGF, Richard Akinjide’s Sterling Qualities

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State over the death of Chief Richard Akinjide announced on Tuesday, April 21, 2020

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President described late Akinjide as one of Nigeria’s most illustrious son and patriot.

The statement said; “President Buhari condoles with family members, friends, professional and political associates of the legal icon, who made remarkable impact on the country as Minister of Education in the First Republic, Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the Second Republic, and member of Judicial Systems Sub-committee of the Constitutional Drafting Committee from 1975 to1977.

“The President joins the Olubadan of Ibadan, Nigerian Bar Association and the entire judiciary in mourning the legal luminary, affirming that he used his rich experience and knowledge in serving the country and humanity.”

Similarly, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, have condoled with the family of late Chief Akinjide.

Commiserating with the family, government and people of Oyo State over the loss, Senator Lawan noted that late Akinjide made great contributions to the legal profession as well as Nigeria’s political and constitutional development.

On their part, Afenifere described Chief Akinjide as a brilliant attorney with a forensic knowledge of the law.

In a statement, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumaki, said the late Akinjide has played his part in the game of life.

The statement reads: “The bell has rung for Chief Richard Akinjide after a full length. We pray that God will grant his soul eternal repose and protect the family he has left behind. He would always be remembered as a brilliant attorney with a forensic knowledge of the law.

“He has played his part in this game of life and may he get all the rest that he needs and deserves. Good night from all of us in Afenifere.”

For the Senate President, the ex-Justice Minister lived a fulfilled life and carved a nitche for himself as a walking encyclopedia of the law profession having made his mark on the sand of time before his exit.

Senator Lawan acknowledged the erudite lawyer’s contributions as Minister of Education under late Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa in the First Republic, as Minister of Justice under late President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic and as a leading light of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) of 1975-1977.

“Nigeria will miss Chief Akinjide’s sharp legal mind, broad knowledge and wisdom gathered over several decades of discipline and hard work,” Lawan said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi

The Senate President prayed to God to grant late Chief Akinjide’s family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

A Star Gone Home – Obasanjo

Reacting to the sad news, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said the country has lost one of its shinning stars.

In a condolence message released to newsmen through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said; “The life of Chief Akinjide is really a testimony of great service built on hard work to his community, profession and fatherland.

“Chief Akinjide was a titan in the study and practice of the law as is evident from a stellar career spanning almost the entire spectrum of the legal profession.

“His life as a most cerebral legal luminary, a profound thinker, a well-informed writer, an astute administrator and a die-hard patriot and democrat, were most inspiring.”

According to the former President, “It is indeed noteworthy that he was constant on Nigeria’s political scene for the better part of the past six decades, both as a passionate participant in both the executive arms of government and constitutional matters in the country and as an avid chronicler of our evolution as a people and a nation.”

Jonathan Describes Late Chief Akinjide As Forthright Jurist

Another former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, also described the death of Chief Akinjide as a great loss to Nigeria.

In his condolence message to the Akinjide family and people of Oyo State, Johnathan said, “I commiserate with the Akinjide family and the government and people of Oyo State on the death of elder statesman, Chief Richard Akinjide.

A statement by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, quoted Johnathan as saying; “He was a forthright jurist and politician who served Nigeria meritoriously as Minister of Education and Attorney General of the Federation at different political eras. As a patriot and legal icon, he worked to improve the nation’s jurisprudence.”

He Was Impactful – Atiku

On his part, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, noted that Chief Akinjide lived an impactful life.

A message on his verified personal twitter handle, @atiku, quoted the Wazirin Adamawa as saying, “He lived an impactful life as a lawyer, politician, administrator and a family patriarch.

“On behalf of my family, I express my condolences to the Akinjide family.”

Akinjide, Epitome Of Dedication – Tinubu

For the National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Akinjide would be remembered for the dedication with which he served the country during late President Shehu Shagari’s administration in the early 80s.

Tinubu said, “I commiserate with the family of the Second Republic Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide, over his passing early on Tuesday.

“Chief Akinjide was an extraordinarily brilliant lawyer and an undisputable giant in the legal profession.”

Akinjide, Our Shining Light, Pride – Makinde, Ajimobi

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State described the death of Akinjide as end of an era and a huge loss to the state, the legal profession, the nation and the world at large.

Acknowledging Akinjide’s death as the loss of a gem and a shining light, Governor Makinde expressed sadness at the demise of the foremost legal luminary.

The governor, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, described Akinjide as a legal luminary who served his state and country to the best of his ability.

“The news of the death of our father, leader and one of the last men standing among the foremost politicians of the country, Chief Richard Akinjide, came to us as a shock.

“This is because Baba, for those who know him or has seen him in recent time, did not show any sign of slowing down; he continued to lead intelligent and history-laden conversations, offer golden advice on governance and leadership and remained a great pillar of experience in politics and law.

“His death, no doubt, is a huge loss to Oyo State, Nigeria and indeed, the world, because he was an exemplary indigene of Ibadan and Oyo State; a detribalised Nigerian, who served the country to the best of his ability and a citizen of the world”, the governor said

He said; “We have lost a gem and a shining light in Baba Akinjide. I commiserate with my sister and chieftain of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, and the rest of Baba’s biological and political children.

“I condole with all indigenes of Oyo State and Nigerians on the exit of a giant of Akinjide’s standing.”

For former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, the late legal luminary was a pride of Ibadan in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Ajimobi said; “As a legal icon, he was the pride of Ibadan and the Nigerian society, proving his worth at different legal fora.

“As a nationalist, he gave his best to the world of legal practice and the best came back to him in terms of recognition.”

Akinjide, Nigeria’s Legal Icon – NBA

Also sharing the moment to appreciate one of its greatest minds, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) expressed sadness over the death of Chief Akinjide.

In its condolence message through the National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, the NBA applauded Akinjide’s selfless contributions to the legal profession in the country and beyond.

The Association said; “It is with grave regret that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN received the news of the passing of Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN – an icon of the legal profession and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

“Chief Akinjide’s contributions to the Bar as President between 1970 and 1973 were immense. And until his demise, he was always on hand as the oldest member of the exclusive ‘Former NBA Presidents Group’ that the NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) often consulted.”