Tinubu Extols Justice Ariwoola’s Service to Nigeria and Humanity
In a glowing tribute, President Bola Tinubu has extolled the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, describing his sojourn on the bench as a testament to the reward for hard work, dedication, and selfless service to Nigeria and humanity.
Tinubu made this statement on Thursday at the public presentation of Justice Ariwoola’s autobiography, “Judging with Justice: The Autobiography of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola,” at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Tinubu commended Justice Ariwoola for his long and inspiring career on the bench, which has been marked by reforms and advancements in the administration of justice.
The President noted that Justice Ariwoola’s tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria has been characterized by an increase in the retirement age for judges and other judicial officers to 65-70 years, as well as the pension reform that ensures retired judges enjoy their full pay as pension for life.
Tinubu also praised Justice Ariwoola’s commitment to the ideals of a just and fair society, saying that his story inspires us all. He expressed hope that his successor will carry on the baton passed on by Justice Ariwoola and urged the Nigerian judiciary to live up to its constitutional mandate.
Other notable attendees at the event included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who is tipped to succeed Justice Ariwoola as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The public presentation of Justice Ariwoola’s autobiography was part of the events marking his retirement from the Supreme Court.
In his remarks, Justice Ariwoola’s successor, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, invoked a quote from James Baikie’s “Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Rome” to describe Justice Ariwoola’s leadership, saying that he is a living embodiment of the qualities that make a nation great.
The event was also attended by several other dignitaries, including the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Attorneys-General of States, Senior Members of the Bench and Bar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, among many others.
Justice Ariwoola was born on August 22, 1954, and was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2011. He was appointed substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria in 2022 and formally confirmed by the Senate in the same year.
