The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), urged Nigerians to emulate the late Bola Ajibola—former Attorney General and Minister of Justice—by showing commitment and sacrifice for the country. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, at the 8th Day Fida’u for Ajibola held at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Buhari said Nigeria would experience greater socio‑economic development if citizens embraced the values left by the jurist. He described Ajibola not only as a Pan‑Africanist and world‑class legal scholar but also as a philanthropist who used his wealth to help the less privileged. The President offered condolences to Ajibola’s family, the Ogun State government and its people, adding, “Prince Ajibola made Nigeria proud and was well disposed to issues relating to the development of Islam and education. Your loss is our loss.” He noted that Ajibola’s illustrious career saw him tower above his colleagues as a judge of the World Court and said the best way to honour him was for Nigerians to commit to the nation’s socio‑economic development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State described Ajibola as a man who lived an impactful life, notably by establishing Crescent University to provide quality education. He called Ajibola a great icon and an industrious son of the state who sacrificed his time, energy and resources in service of God and humanity, urging Nigerians to lead lives that would make people proud after their demise.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recalled his childhood days with Ajibola, noting that the late legal luminary was a workaholic who seized opportunities and strived for excellence. He said Ajibola embodied integrity and professionalism, committing himself not only to his work but also to his family, and warned that the vacuum created by his death would be hard to fill.
The Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, praised Ajibola as a man of high integrity and a community figure who left an indelible impact on those around him. In his sermon, the Mufaseer of Egbaland, Dr Taofeeq Amolegbe, spoke on “Life after death,” reminding listeners that no one arrives with possessions and everyone departs empty‑handed, urging continual good deeds because death’s timing is unknown. Similarly, the Grand Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Sulaiman Farooq, delivered a sermon titled “Sustenance of Islamic Projects,” admonishing people to distinguish God’s projects from man’s and to pursue initiatives that serve God and benefit humanity.
Prayers were subsequently offered for the repose of the deceased, for Ogun State, and for Nigeria at large.
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