Colleagues, friends fete Adebayo, as he takes silk

It was a gathering of who is who in the legal profession as eminent jurists, judges, lawyers, political and business associates, clients, friends and family members recently converged on the ancient City of Ibadan to celebrate and honour the former Attorney General of Oyo State, Asiwaju Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, as he joined the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The event, chaired by Justice Aderonke Aderemi, former President Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State, was a testimonial of his contribution to the legal profession as his colleagues, and eminent personalities paid glowing tributes to his character of purpose and doggedness.

The speakers attested to the fact that his attaining the status of SAN was long overdue. Adebayo and 61 others were recently conferred senior advocate by government.

Justice Aderemi, in her welcome address, commended the celebrant for his hard work and dedication, describing him as a very brilliant lawyer, and a pride of the legal profession who has contributed to legal scholarship.

“Even if the honoree did not invite me here today, I will be here for you any day any time. I want all of us to celebrate and rejoice with him. I want all of us to be happy.

It’s an occasion in which we should rejoice and dance with the latest silk in town,” Justice Aderemi said.

The immediate past President, Customary Court of Appeal in Osun State, Justice Wasiu Akanbi, described the celebrant as a bold and fearless advocate.

Justice Akanbi recalled that during his tenure as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Judiciary of Oyo State enjoyed a cordial relationship with the executive.

In his remarks, Justice Diran Akintola said: “OJ as he is popularly called, is so likeable by many just as some may dislike him. And the reason some may dislike him is because he can be brutally frank. OJ is not known to double speak. His yes is yes and his no is no.

“I recall that the judiciary of Oyo State enjoyed a cordial relationship with the executive during his tenure as the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice. He is extremely generous. I know that through him, a number of projects were carried out successfully by the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan.”

Also speaking, Mr. Abiodun Olatunji (SAN) commended the celebrant for his commitment and dedication to law as a profession.

“You are a fantastic role model for all those seeking to understand how to make an impact with their lives, you have proven yourself to be a leader of moral and ethical values. Over the years, you have exhibited uncommon wisdom, remarkable vision, and exemplary leadership,” Olatunji said.

In his remarks, a senior lawyer, N. O. Oke (SAN), described Adebayo, as a man of integrity, and urged him to continue to hold firm to such principles.

He said: “The foundation upon which a success is predicated is integrity. If a man loses his money, he has lost nothing. If he loses his health, he has lost something, but by the time he loses his name, virtually everything is lost. I want to sound a note of warning, do not forget the foundation upon which your elevation is predicated.”

Alhaji Lasunkanmi Sanusi (SAN) charged him not to be found wanting.

He advised him to know that the leadership position, which he occupies comes with challenges and part of the challenge is to know that the era of making numerous social media comments, either negative or positive is over.

In his remarks, Mr. Kunle Sobaloju, commended the celebrant and advised him to be circumspect in all his dealing as the world would be watching him going forward.

A childhood friend of the celebrant, Oluseun Abimbola (SAN), in his remarks, stressed the celebrant keeps his friends.

Also, former commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Alhaji Fatai Owoseni urged him to continue to tell the truth.

Dr. Festus Adedayo said the former AG is bold and courageous, always ready to speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. He said: “In the history of this country, we have an individual who could look at the face of the governor and said he was going to resign as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.”

Muritala Abdulrasheed (SAN) during the toast, said: “He is my senior at the Bar. He is “Afenifere” personified. In honor of a Bar man, an epitome of courage, an Ibadan indigene, who will never forget his roots, a loving husband and father, a friend to all his friends, can we toast to this wonderful human being, may you live long.”

Responding, Adebayo (SAN) said: “I must confess that I’m at a loss. I don’t have the appropriate words to describe this show of love. Let me say this, I am a child of destiny. My parents had six females, while looking for a male child. I was the last and only male child. I’m a product of God’s benevolence. I want to thank everyone for the show of love and support given to me.”