Idris Katib
“A good example is the best sermon”
— Benjamin Franklin (American Statesman, Scientist and Philosopher 1706-1790)
Like other world’s Giants, His Excellency Judge Bola Ajibola made impressive footprints on the sands of time.He wrote his name boldly, in diamond, on the wall of history as a good model for those who seek to be inspired by his exemplary life.
Although of royal ancestry, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As an optimist, Prince Ajibola targeted the sky in his career and succeeded in reaching the peak of it. His life served as a shining example for those who lived in his time and beyond. But he is a better example for the coming generation who will seek to emulate his virtues and ideals.
This is evident in the history of past heroes. From Jesus Christ to Mustapha Muhammad, their generations did not seem to value them as much as later generations.
It was not a coincidence that Judge Ajibola’s international legal and arbitration mission spanned 23 years just like his father, HRH Oba Abdul Salaam Gbadela II ruled Owu Kingdom for 23 years. Like father, like son, you would agree! Looking at it critically, Allah has made 23 years a unique benchmark even for Mustapha Muhammad as he was given the revelation of the Quran piecemeal for a period of 23 years (thirteen years in Mecca and ten years in Medina).
Judge Ajibola was lucky to have shared this prophetic number with the best of mankind. It was a deliberate fashion by the Creator of all existence.
Although of royal ancestry, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As an optimist, Prince Ajibola targeted the sky in his career and succeeded in reaching the peak of it. His life served as a shining example for those who lived in his time and beyond. But he is a better example for the coming generation who will seek to emulate his virtues and ideals
Judge Ajibola was absolutely a good model of optimism.He was a positive thinker and this helped him a great deal in all spheres of life.To him, anything was not over until he won.He was a great achiever who would encourage people to be winners in all they seek to achieve. He was a good time keeper, having spent his entire lifetime prudently and judiciously. His saying “arrive not on time; arrive before the time” influenced his noticeable punctuality at a every event one or two hours before the programme. An epitome of magnanimity, he delighted giving out than receiving. His belief was that ” the hand that gives is better than the one that receives”. But miraculously, whatever he gave out to people in need came back to him in multifold.
Miraculously, he received God’s blessings where he least expected. Out of generosity, only God knows the number of family members and acquaintances’ house rents and hospital bills he settled till his last breadth. It was interesting to always witness how Judge Ajibola consistently doled out money to people in distress. He relished it.
Until his passing, a number of non-staff members of his Lagos chamber headed by his first son, Barr. Mahruf Adesegun Ajibola (SAN) were on the payroll. Surprisingly, as staff salaries were reviewed upwards, so also were of those people. Some aged, others out of jobs. Since these people needed support, as they knock on Ajibola’s doors with tears, they would always return with smiles on their faces.
Characteristically of him, Judge Ajibola would make people happy, telling them stories of hope, thereby using his life as a typical example. His beneficiaries who were fragile, owing to their old age to visit his chamber, had their allowances sent to them and promptly too. And trust him, he would always crosscheck once in a while to confirm if those allowances got to their destinations. Baba was an altruist to the core!
Judge Ajibola was absolutely a good model of optimism.He was a positive thinker and this helped him a great deal in all spheres of life.To him, anything was not over until he won.He was a great achiever who would encourage people to be winners in all they seek to achieve. He was a good time keeper, having spent his entire lifetime prudently and judiciously. His saying “arrive not on time; arrive before the time” influenced his noticeable punctuality at a every event one or two hours before the programme. An epitome of magnanimity, he delighted giving out than receiving. His belief was that ” the hand that gives is better than the one that receives”. But miraculously, whatever he gave out to people in need came back to him in multifold
As his tradition, Judge Ajibola would secretly donate to refugee camps, motherless babies’ homes and hospitals. He promised less and delivered more to all that worked with him.
Judge Ajibola was a good manager of human and material resources. Like a football coach, he knew who did what efficiently and would assign the right lieutenants for the right tasks, although some may find it difficult at times because of their own laxity and complacency. He would put the round peg in a round hole. Judge Ajibola detested squanderers and preferred those who used money, time and resources moderately.
Judge Ajibola enjoyed the blessings of God as much as he deserved same. I beseech the Almighty to crown his good deeds with Jannatul Firdaus (the highest paradise), sustain all his projects and bless his generations abundantly.
. Katib is a Senior Assistant Registrar (Public Relations) at Crescent University, Abeokuta