Kehinde Fajobi
Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has been honoured as the 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot by the Association of United Nations Ambassadors for Peace.
This recognition comes amid recent controversies surrounding allegations of defamation by human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.
The award notification was delivered in a letter co-signed by the Chairman, Prof. Joseph Mfon, and Secretary, Prof. Barika Saro-Laka, from the Selection Committee.
The association praised Babalola as a “detribalised nationalist” whose selfless contributions have had a profound impact not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
The association highlighted Babalola’s achievements, including:
Employment Creation: Providing over 1,600 jobs to Nigerians from various backgrounds.
Legal Excellence: Producing the highest number of lawyers in Africa, including over 100 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Judges, and Attorneys General of the Federation.
Educational Development: Establishing ABUAD, a self-funded institution focused on reducing illiteracy, crime, and ignorance in Nigeria.
The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, 9th January 2025, at the Labour House, Abuja.
The letter stated: “We have approved the conferment of our pioneer merit award of 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot on your dignified personality due to your consistent and impactful contributions to humanity and societal development across multiple sectors.”
In addition to the award, the association has organised a humanitarian gesture in Babalola’s honour.
They will provide support to 300 verified members of the National Association of Nigerian Widows (NANIWO) with Christmas food packs and transportation allowances.