Rare gem of humanity, Quintessential Jurist, Uncommon Philanthropist, Unequalled Diplomat
It was a humble privilege and an unforgettable experience for me to have worked closely with the phenomenal personality Prince Bola Ajibola, during his tenure as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. The diplomatic assignment unarguably made the eminent jurist a uniquely consequential and strategic representative in the international arena at a momentous period of resumption of Nigeria’s democratic journey. I was fortunate to be a witness and participant to this history, it is my unvarnished testimony that our High Commissioner delivered patriotically, brilliantly and remarkably.
A thorough-breed legal scholar, a doyen of jurisprudential science, a legal arbitrator per excellence; Prince Ajibola was a towering intellectual Iroko flourishing from the historically venerable pedigree of the famed Baptist School system and rising through the Holborn College of Law (University of London) to the Council of Legal Education, Inns of Court, London, to the Honourable Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln’s Inn, London. He was called to the Bar in 1962.
Prince Ajibola, a rare gem of humanity, distinguished son Ogun State, a pre-eminent Nigerian and globally recognized African has his name emblazoned in the catalogue of landmark societal, legal and non-partisan events to which he professionally and selflessly dedicated his energies and talents. Whether serving as President and Judge of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal (Washington D.C and London) or the Arbitrator/Commissioner for the Ethiopia and Eritrea Boundary Dispute or as Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo) or as a Judge of the International Court of Justice at the Hague (Netherlands), the legal luminary delivered remarkably with an uncommon sense of responsibility and dedication to peaceful and lawful advancement of humanity.
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On profound reflection, I must note that Prince Ajibola (SAN) effected noiseless gigantic strides on the terrain of human affairs in both his national and international interactions. During his service as High Commissioner, I watched a mostly cheerful, accessible, staff-friendly but highly accomplished diplomat with treasure of unprecedented beneficial initiatives for our country. It is worthy to recall how cordially and respectfully the various international community treated our High Commissioner. I was privileged to be at some of those high-stake meetings with Prince Ajibola because of the access he deliberately created. No agency or personality in the U.K arena in those diplomatic years treated Prince Ajibola and our High Commission with any attitude less than dignifying. In fact, I can still clearly recollect with pride the synergy and energy of reciprocal deference between the High Commissioner and the Buckingham Palace.
Prince Ajibola created an outreach visitation both in London and to distant Nigerian communities in different parts of the United Kingdom from Inverness to Cardiff and from Cardiff to Manchester, thereby encouraging our citizens to relate more actively with the Embassy.
The High Commissioner creatively utilized sports diplomacy and the leverage of Nigerian stars from other sectors to advance our nation’s interest. Prince Ajibola saw the galaxy of Nigerian stars in the English Premiere League like Kanu of Arsenal, Babayaro of Chelsea and Ekoku of Crystal Palace as assets to the diplomatic agenda of the High Commission. Musicians like Patty Boulaye and boxing champion, Herbihide, were persuaded by the High Commissioner to utilize their leverage for Nigeria’s projects. Unforgettable was Prince Ajibola convening of a very successful summit of all Nigerian Ambassadors accredited to Europe for collective examination of issues affecting Nigeria and our nation’s communities in Europe. The now popular idea of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organization (NIDO) was incubated in London (2000) from the contacts and consultations which were engendered by High Commissioner Ajibola.
Nasir Zahradeen (former SA to Prince Ajibola as Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom) was a former Deputy National President of NUJ 1985–1990
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