Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe and Council Chiefs have concluded that every 18th day of October be earmarked as Afe Babalola Day, with commencement this year.
The legal icon,Babalola and the Founder of the Afe Babalola University,ABUAD is a native of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
The decision of the Ado metropolis to begin the celebration was announced at a press conference on Tuesday at Ewi’s palace by the co-chairman of the planning committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
Ojudu stated the event would be graced by dignitaries within and outside the Country to herald the ‘Afe Babalola Day’.
Senator Ojudu explained that the decision to honour Are Babalola was in view of his numerous contributions to the growth of Ado, adding that Oba Aladejuyegbe had consulted relevant stakeholders before arriving at the decision.
Ojudu, a former senator representing Ekiti Central constituency, said the purpose of the event is to celebrate the legal icons that have impacted the state and country in the areas of education, legal, health, and agriculture, among others. He added that Ado Ekiti with the celebration of setting the standard where people celebrate their living legends at their life times.
Ojudu said: “Great people are honoured when they are dead, but Ado-Ekiti wants to establish a new standard of honouring our living heroes so that these will further encourage the living to do good in their community.
“Ever since Afe Babalola became an adult, he has put himself to the development of this town and state when even the state was under Ondo State.
“Not less than 20 lawyers who have served under his chamber have become Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Not less than 4 have become the attorneys general of this country.
“He is a very generous man; he’s willing to give, and that is why God has preserved him for us.” Ojudu said.
