By: Tunde Olofintila
Shortly after breakfast tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the South-West Chapter of the Association of Independent Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria, AINPN, will roll out the drums to celebrate the stellar qualities inherent in the Founder & Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), Fellow, King’s College, London, FNAE, and some other eminent Nigerians at its 2026 Leadership Icon Award Ceremony.
The other deserving Honourees include Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Chief Lateef Akande Bakare, Ajirowa of Ijesaland and CEO, Nigeria Wire and Cable, Prof. Kayode Oyebode, Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Chief Isaac Tapere, CEO, Tisco Nig. Ltd, Dr Oluwasegun Alade Musa, Business Mogul and Industrialist and Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, Founder of Agidigbo FM.
Yet others are Comrade Ayobami Olusegun Adeogun, Oyo State NULGE President, Amb. Prince Sarajudeen Oladotun, President, Ajilesoro Foundation, Ile-Ife; Prof. Bayo Ilawole, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Local Government Service Commission; Dr. Kayode Akande, Founder, Glo FM; and Amb. Dr. and Amb. Dr. (Mrs.) Agboola Olaoluwa, Founders of Unique Fertility Help Consult, Ibadan.
In its letter dated April 7, 2026, signed by its Secretary General, Mr. Dupson Collins, AINPN predicated the nonagenarian’s nomination for the Award on his sundry achievements and contributions in Education, Philanthropy, Law and Jurisprudence, Community Development and Agriculture among several others of human endeavour.
In his Collins’ words: “Sir, you are a renowned Nigerian Lawyer, Educator, and Philanthropist with numerous notable achievements which combine to position you for this lifetime achievement award in all spheres of life”.
He added: “Here are some of your accomplishments. In education, you founded Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in 2009, a university has been rated in 2026 by Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings as No. 1 University in Nigeria for five consecutive years (2022-2026), No. 2 in Africa, and No. 72 globally, thus making it the only Nigerian university to attain that height.
“In the realms of Awards and Honours, you have received over 50 titles and Awards, including Honorary Doctor of Laws and Doctor of Letters from 10 universities, 12 Fellowships from frontline Professional Associations and reputable institutions such as King’s College, London, and a two-time winner of the African Man of the Year in Food Security Award (2014 and 2024).
“As a practical demonstration of the fact that it is not only when one is fabulously rich that he/she can help and raise other people, the very moment you started earning a living from your Law Practice, you did not wait to become a millionaire or billionaire before you turned your attention to philanthropy by giving Scholarship to the needy and outstanding brilliant students.
“As an acknowledged Philanthropist, you have made some monumental donations to tertiary institutions, Communities, Hospitals and Unions/Societies. All of this in addition to your establishing two Cooperative Societies with N200 million to provide loans for 2,000 people in 2024 and donating N100 million towards completing the Ewi’s Palace Pavilion in 2025.
“In your legal career spanning over six decades, your Law Firm, Emmanuel Chambers, has produced 37 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the highest by any Law Firm in Nigeria, Attorneys-General both at the State and Federal levels, Judges and Justices of Appellate Courts. In 1987, you rose to the pinnacle when you became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)
“In leadership, you served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 2000 to 2007, during which you were instrumental to upgrading the profile of UNILAG, contributing immensely to the eradication of corruption, strike actions, cultism admission racketeering and other ills on the campus.
“It is in the public domain that you never took any allowances for your services to the university. Rather, you built a gigantic Auditorium for the university after which you used your influence, contact and goodwill to invite your clients like Julius Berger, Shell, Mobil and Wema Bank to assist you in developing UNILAG. No wonder you were voted the Best Pro Chancellor in the country for two consecutive years (2005 and 2006).
“Learned Silk, you might have received several Awards in the past, but this particular award is being given to you based on popular demand and opinion polls conducted, in which your achievements stand out as a first-rate legal colossus in the country”.
The Award Ceremony which will take place at Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, is designed to celebrate outstanding leaders and deliberate on strategies to drive economic growth and security across the Southwest region.
The event, themed “Fostering Regional Prosperity: Economic and Security Integration in Southwest Nigeria”, will be chaired Chief Adeniyi Michael Akintola, SAN, while Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is the Special Guest of Honour.
Two of Nigeria’s most revered monarchs have also been named Royal Fathers of the Day: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, Olubadan of Ibadan.
According to the organizers, the Award ceremony will feature a keynote lecture to be delivered by Prof. Emilolorun Ambrose Ayelari, former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Ibadan.