The Pan-African Writers’ Association (PAWA) has honoured the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, with its prestigious Noble Patron of the Arts Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to education, intellectual development and the promotion of knowledge across Africa.

PAWA, the umbrella body of 54 national writers’ associations across the continent, with its secretariat in Accra, Ghana, also includes writers of African origin living in North and South America, the West Indies and the Caribbean.

The award was presented on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, by PAWA’s Secretary-General, Dr Wale Okediran, on behalf of the association and members drawn from several African countries.
Okediran, a former member of the House of Representatives, said the nonagenarian legal luminary was unanimously selected for the honour in recognition of his uncommon tenacity and enduring contributions to education and intellectual advancement in Africa.

He noted that the establishment of ABUAD 16 years ago has significantly transformed the Nigerian education landscape, producing graduates who are excelling and making remarkable global impacts.

The PAWA secretary-general reaffirmed the association’s commitment to advocating the inclusion of African literary works in school curricula, promoting African languages, and encouraging the translation of African literature into indigenous languages.

“It is in fulfilment of this objective that we identified our Baba, Aare Afe Babalola, as someone worthy of our honour and admiration,” Okediran said.

“As many of us know, Aare Afe Babalola has paid his dues, having served as a pupil teacher, secondary school teacher, vice-principal, university lecturer, economist, auditor, administrator, farmer and educationist.

“He has crowned this long and meritorious service with the founding of Afe Babalola University, an institution that boasts world-class infrastructure and an enviable record of producing generations of scholars and professionals.”
According to him, PAWA deemed it fitting to honour Babalola as “a worthy son of Africa, an achiever par excellence, a mentor and a sage.”

In his response, Babalola expressed deep appreciation to PAWA for the recognition, commending the association for acknowledging the work being done at ABUAD since the commencement of academic activities on January 4, 2010.

He said he founded the university after his tenure as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, with the vision of redefining education in Nigeria and Africa.

“I established the university to produce graduates who value character, philanthropy, research and the overall development of society,” he said.
Babalola noted that ABUAD has, in recent years, received national and global recognition, including being ranked the best university in Nigeria for four consecutive years by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

“We deeply appreciate this latest award, which will be displayed in the university museum currently under construction,” he added.

“We will continue to raise the bar in quality and functional education and nurture a new generation of leaders who will change society for the better. This continental award is a catalyst that will spur me to do even more in my lifelong commitment to leaving society better than I met it.”

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, described the occasion as a celebration of excellence and legacy.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate not just a patron of the arts, but a living legend and a beacon of inspiration for generations yet unborn,” she said.