The Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University (APU), Patigi, Kwara state, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has described the former President of the Court of Appeal and pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), late Honourable Justice Mustapha Muhammed Adebayo Akanbi as a highly revered jurist, an exemplary statesman and an embodiment of piety whose great contributions to the progress and development of Nigeria cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
Prof. Adedimeji made this description penultimate Sunday (June 5, 2022) in his lecture at the 4th year remembrance prayer in honour of the late Akanbi held at Munfa’atu Aduke Akanbi Memorial Mosque, G.R.A Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
The Vice-Chancellor said for Nigeria to move forward and attain greatness among the comity of nations, the country needs leaders who are endowed with the qualities of the late Justice Akanbi.
Prof. Adedimeji, who spoke on the topic ” Late Hon. Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi: Lessons from the Life of a Legend”, said Justice Akanbi lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation by the leaders and the led us to move forward as a nation.
The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Ahman Pategi University explained that the late sage was a unique legal practitioner and an eminent jurist who was known for integrity, piety, sincerity, fairness and God-consciousness in all his actions and interactions while he was alive.
He stated further that the late Akanbi was detribalised Nigerian who believed strongly in the principle of Justice and equity in whatever he laid his hands upon.
Prof. Adedimeji called on Nigerian leaders to take a cue from Justice Akanbi’s virtues if they are serious about moving this country out of the shackles of poverty, insecurity, and other related social and economic problems the nation is facing currently.
In his goodwill message on the occasion, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University and one-time Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof. Musbau Akanji, extolled the virtues of Justice Akanbi and called on Nigerian leaders to imbibe his leadership style.
Also speaking at the programme, the Director-General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, described Justice Akanbi as a kindhearted man who cared about the welfare of Nigerians and Africans in general.
According to him, Justice Akanbi believed in fixing Nigeria, saying that Justice Akanbi taught some of them that were very close to him to be optimistic about Nigeria as they work towards fixing the country rather than complaining.
He disclosed that Justice Akanbi believed in hard work, unity of the country and the power of prayers.
Also in his message,one of the associates of late Justice Akanbi who is currently the Chairman of Mustapha Akanbi Foundation, Dr. Mudasiru Salami, described late Akanbi as an exceptional leader whose leadership style is worthy of emulation.
Dr. Salami, who is also the President of Amicus International, the position Justice Akanbi held until his death in 2018, explained that late Akanbi taught them good lessons which he said are very supportive and helpful to them in their respective lives.
Speaking on behalf of the Akanbi family, Justice Suleiman Akanbi said the Akanbi family is very proud of producing a prominent and widely respected figure like Justice Akanbi.
Appreciating people that came from far and near to grace the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi SAN, said the large number of people in attendance attested to the fact that the love people had for Justice Akanbi during his lifetime is still radiating even after his demise.
The event was attended by associates of late Justice Akanbi, staff of the University of Ilorin and Kwara State University, friends and admirers of the Akanbi family among several others.