*Photo: Retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON (left) and H.E. Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor of Oyo State *
This immediate past weekend, the entire township of Iseyin – the ancient home of the weavers of the popular yoruba textile, named “aso-oke”, came under friendly bombardments from a deluge of legal luminaries led by the Justices of the apex court in Nigeria- the Supreme Court, State Officials, Royal Fathers and other numerous well-wishers from accross the country, all gathered in a glowing honour to the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, for whom a befitting birthday/retirement prayers, thanksgiving and reception were held.
*L-R: Retired CJN Olukayode Ariwoola; CJN Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; representative of the Sultan of Sokoto(2nd right) and Oba Sefiu Oyebola, the Aseyin of Iseyinland, during the commissioning of OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA MOSQUE at Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH *
Holding the torch of this momentous occasion is an illustrious son of the soil , who himself is a legal titan – Dr Ahmed A. Raji, SAN, had lined up for commissioning an array of developmental projects such as a hospitality/tourism infrastructure named OKE-OGUN GATEWAY HOTEL,- the first of its size in the Oke-ogun region of Oyo State, Real Estate Development Projects, as well as religious worship centres with a magnificent mosque built for the Muslim community of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Iseyin Campus, named after the retired CJN – OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA MOSQUE.
The activities which kicked off on Friday witnessed the august visitors from accross Nigeria, driving in a long convoy of vehicles through major roads of the town, appreciating nature’s hilly and green endowments of the ancient city to the admiration of both the indigenes and the dwellers who were joyfully waving at the visitors as their convoy snaked round the city to the various project venues.
The events for the day climaxed with the commissioning of the LAUTECH mosque named after the retired CJN by the representative of Sultan of Sokoto and witnessed by dignitaries led by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria – Mrs Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and her Husband, Justices of the Supreme Court, Chief Judges of Lagos, Kwara, FCT, and other states, high court Judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Magistrates, Royal Fathers, hosted by the Aseyin of Iseyinland, the Academia, led by the LAUTECH VC, Former NCC Board Chairman, Prof Adeolu Akande, Islamic Clerics, led by the Chief Imam of Iseyinland, Financial Advisory Expert & Partner @ Deloite – Amofin Beula Adeoye and many others.
Dr Ahmed Raji, SAN, in his welcome remarks welcomed the dignitaries to Iseyin and thanked them for the love they constantly exhibited towards the outgone CJN. The ex-CJN himself in his speech expressed his happiness over the spirit of comraderie as displayed by their Lordships from the Supreme Court and other courts, he thanked Dr Raji, SAN, for the great honour of naming the mosque after him, urging the Clerics present to keep praying for the donor, who he described as a great Philanthropist who has helped numerous people and organisations unannounced.
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mrs Kudirat Kekere-Ekun in her remarks eulogised the leadership style of the retired CJN while at the helm of affairs at the apex court, describing this honour accorded him by his community as a testimony to his contributions towards the development of the town and as a good ambassador.
The Sarturday that followed witnessed a grand special prayer session for the honouree under the auspices of Istijabah Prayer Group of Nigeria – (IPGON).
In his lecture at the session, Alh K.A.R. Abdul-Azeez, the National Chief Missioner, IPGON, advised the guests, particularly the stakeholders in the justice delivery sector to always dispense justice with fear of God, who, according to him, is the only Supreme Lordship.
He admonished the celebrant to move closer to the Almighty Allah through observance of prayers having crossed seventy years of age.
Guests were thereafter moved to the adjoining Hall, the venue for the equally impressive reception and treated to sumptuous meals- local and continental, and exotic drinks. The legendary juju music maestro- Chief Ebenezer Obey entertained the guests.
