The Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has applauded eight members of the institution’s alumni network who were recently appointed and elevated as High Court judges, describing them as the pride of the University. He said the professional accomplishments of the distinguished former students would remain a source of inspiration to current students as well as the younger generation.
Prof. Agboola gave the commendation at a cocktail organised for the newly appointed judges by the Faculty of Law of the University on Wednesday, 1st March, 2023.
The Visitor to the University and Governor of Ogun State, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, MFR, had in February, this year, approved the appointment of eight new judges into the State High Court sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Seven of the judges graduated from OOU and were sworn in at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. They included the Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Ogun State, Oluwafunke Omolara Odubanjo, Esq; Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Ogun State, Adeola Ireti Adelaja; Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ogun State, Adebayo Bamidele Adedapo; and Secretary, Judiciary Service Commission, Ogun State, Basirat Bolanle Adebowale.
Others are a Private Legal Practitioner based in Ilaro, Ayodele Adebayo Omoniyi; a Private Legal Practitioner based in Lagos, Sunday Olufemi Adeniyi and another Private Legal Practitioner also based in Lagos, Abimbola Christopher Shokunbi.
In addition, Hon. Justice Oluwakemi Olokede-Obadina of the Osun State Judiciary, who is equally an alumnae of the University, was also honoured alongside her counterparts from Ogun State.
Making his remarks during the Faculty of Law event, the Vice-Chancellor said the celebration of the new judges was a delight, especially as it coincided with the ongoing 40th Anniversary celebration of the University. He noted that the University has come of age and could boast of graduates who are leading lights in their respective fields. “It is a good thing that we are celebrating all of you today. So many things are happening at the same time. This is the first time we are having seven judges out of eight appointed from OOU. This is also the first time we are having all the Principal Officers of the University being alumni. For the first time, the CMD of OOUTH is also one of us. I can continue to reel them out on and on,” he enthused.
Prof. Agboola charged the former students of the University to take active interest in the affairs of the institution, stressing that they should use the opportunity of the 40th Anniversary to make positive contributions to their alma mater. He added that the University had already set aside the Alumni Week, coming up in May, as an opportunity for all former students to interact and project for the future.
The Vice-Chancellor further intimated the judges of the importance of partnership and collaboration between the academia and industry stakeholders to enhance the quality of University products. This, he pointed out, was encapsulated in his three Es agenda which involve education, employability and employment creation. According to him, the University plans to set up academic industry advisory committee to enhance the relationship between the academia and relevant industries for the benefit of students. “Again, what I’ve seen today makes me happy. The Faculty does not need to start looking for Advisory Committee anymore from outside. We have enough from inside. Because we want to start having academic industry advisory committee in such a way that what they are doing outside there, before our students leave the University system, they should be able to do all those things. I want a situation whereby before the students finish from this school, they should be able to have those three Es that we are talking about,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor lauded the Faculty of Law for organising the event and expressed optimism that the institution would in no distant future have the opportunity to celebrate one of its own as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome charge at the event, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr Gbade Akinriimade, said it was a thing of joy that the State Government, for the first time, appointed and elevated “quite a very large number of our alumnus” to the higher Bench. He noted that the development confirmed the fact that OOU had been making waves in a lot of human endeavours.
Akinriimade said, “We have all gathered here to celebrate some of our alumni. We thank God for helping them this far, and we have been blessed with a set of alumni that have benefitted the Faculty. Like Oliver Twist, yes we may probably have the intention ofasking for more but it is only fair in the circumstance that we make efforts to appreciate those who have passed out from here.”
“While it is a time to interact, it is also a time to see how we can project our Faculty in the nearest future. While we have needs and a host of others, we believe that with God on our side, the sky is the limit for us.”
Responding on behalf of the honourees, Hon. Justice Adeola Ireti Adelaja appreciated the University Management and the Faculty of Law staff for considering them worthy of celebration. She assured of the readiness of the judges to contribute their quota for the development and growth of the institution.
Other Principal Officers of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olatundun Oderinde; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya; Registrar, Mr Femi Ogunwomoju; Librarian, Dr Adebambo Oduwole, and the Bursar, Mr Semiu Makinde, graced the cocktail.
Some other dignitaries in attendance were former Commissioner for Information in Ogun State, Chief Fassy Yusuf, and former President, OSU/OOU Law Alumni Association, Mr Olusegun Sipeolu.
