President felicitates with Afe Babalola at 85

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated legal luminary, educationist and philanthropist, Chief Afe Babalola, as he turns 85 on Oct. 30.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

The statement said Buhari joined members of Babalola’s family, professional colleagues and the academia in felicitating with the legal luminary.

According to the President, Babalola represents the life of a man who epitomizes unique and enviable qualities that every nation will want projected in its leadership and citizenry.

“The legal luminary’s lifestyle exemplifies discipline, diligence, honesty and wisdom, virtues he employed from childhood to succeed against the vicissitudes of poverty and deprivation and climbed steadily to reach the pinnacle of his career as Senior Advocate of Nigeria,’’ it stated.

Buhari maintained that Babalola could look back with pride at his achievements, “which include the God-fearing act of always catering for the poor and under privileged, and mentoring of lawyers from his Emmanuel Chambers that have turned out Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Attorneys-General and Ministers of Justice’’.

The President also extolled the patriotism and commitment of Babalola to nation building through regular counseling of leaders, representation of the Federal Government and founding of one of the best universities in Africa.

He prayed that the Almighty God would grant the philanthropist longer life, good health and wisdom to sustain the good works.