Today is exactly one year the enigmatic Jurist, Judge Bola Ajibola, departed this world to the greater beyond. Remembering him, Secretary-General Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, says he lives on. Excerpts:
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” (Albert Einstein).
A man of many colours whose track record speaks volume (of intimidating credentials!).
A man with an unbelievable profile, Prince Bola Ajibola was a legal luminary of International repute, a world class arbitrator, a peace promoter of global reckoning, a philanthropist of no mean value, a religious and community leader, truly an all round achiever and administrator.
Ascertaining Judge Bola Ajibola’s valued life contributions to humanity is like the proverbial elephant whose part was described in different forms upon touching by the bind. The Nigerian envoy of blessed memory lived a life that was worthwhile which becomes heritage and legacies. These legacies will continue to positively impact on people till eternity.
Remarkably, the quintessential legal practitioner was passionate about education and scholarship. He invested considerable resources in the promotion of education, ideas and knowledge acquisition.
He established Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA) primary and secondary schools,(co-Educational). He was “Promoter” of the IMA, founded Crescent University, Abeokuta (CUAB), an institution he committed his resources to by selling his property, home and abroad to ensure the university survived. Uniquely, Ajibola founded primary, secondary and university education as gifts to humanity.
Moreover, in noting that “fingers are not equal” and that both the children of the affluent and the masses need be educated and that there should be no barrier to knowledge acquisition, he gave scholarship to indigent and deserving undergraduates. Some of these beneficiaries are shinning and have attained echelon positions in their respective career jobs.
These Crescent University products will continuously celebrate him in death as he made their university education dream a reality.
Even though the Egba Owu born Prince was educated in the Western Christian way and tradition having attended Baptist mission (founded) schools, he never forgotten he was born a Muslim and raised according to Islamic codes. The Christian experience and training never debarred him from knowing the “Oneness of God” and that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”.
He founded the Islamic Movement for Africa which later became Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA) in December 1996, for Islamic propagation, promotion, research, training, education and enlightenment.
This Mission encourages its members to attain steadfastness and devotion. The organisation with its Centre in Abeokuta is corporate by all standard, making the Abrahamic faith to be attractive, caring friendly and supportive.
IMA Centre in Oke-Apata, Off Abiola Way in Abeokuta can boast of magnificent mosque, research library, guest house, hall and administrative block.
Adjoining the centre is IMA hospital serving the IMA school boarding house and the locality. The IMA hall and premises have served as venue for several Islamic programmes and marriages. The IMA facilities have become legacies bequeathed to humanity by IMA founder and President, Prince Bola Ajibola. Hence, “Omo Oba Abdul-Jabal Bolasodun Adesunbo Ajibola lives on.
Interestingly, his remains were interred in the premises of the Mission and as a mausoleum. He had for long before his passage given that instruction to his successors the exact point he would like to be buried.
The world acclaimed Jurist also exhibited concern and passion for Africa, exemplified in an NGO (non-governmental organisation) he floated, African Concern, registered in Lusaka, Zambia in 1995. This initiative, a brainchild of Prince Ajibola ventured into caring for people disposed from their homes due to natural and human disasters, occasioned by violence, war, famine and other human induced disturbances as witnessed in Rwanda, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
African Concern collaborates with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in addressing refugee problems in Africa, especially in the provision of social amenities like borehole, electricity, schools and medicals to warring and disadvantaged communities, complementary to government effort as a cardinal responsibility.
Here I recall on the occasion of Prince’s 70th birthday in March 2004 that I led a lorry load of foods and items to the then Oru-Ijebu Refugee Camp as a charitable gesture, courtesy, the “birthday boy”.
As a philanthropist, he donated an Orthopaedic and Trauma ward to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, in fulfilment of a promise made to his Creator that he will build an Orthopaedic ward for FMC if he should be healed in a record time as against a prolonged time for treatment and healing of a fracture he sustained in a domestic accident.
This white painted amenity has continued to serve the hospital till date. His act of philosophy, benevolence or generosity also extended to individuals, Associations and institutions, corporate organisations, formal and non formal.
Judge Bola Ajibola was not just one man, he was an institution and therefore, his legacies will remain indelible, with sustainable impact on the people, the larger society, nation and the international community.
Truly, “a life lived for others is a life worthwhile”. Bola Ajibola entrusted and devoted his life callings and undertakings to the service of His Creator and the people.
Definitely, he did this, expecting the bountiful reward from l nobody safe Allah Subuanau wa t’ala, noting the Qur’anic Scriptural saying, “my services and sacrifice are for God alone.” Allah repose his soul and make him a dweller of paradise.
