Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize excites Afe Babalola

AFE Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) Founder Aare Afe Babalola, SAN has expressed his excitement for winning the 2018 Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize award.

The frontline lawyer was named the winner of the prize by the selection committee chairman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, at the unveiling of the new look Tribune at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Anyaoku said: “Afe Babalola had distinguished himself in the provision of quality education just like the sage, advocacy for the masses through legal intervention and other means and, therefore, deserves the award.”

His emergence as the latest winner of the prestigious award came after former South African President Mr. Thabo Mbeki won the award in 2014.

Earlier in 2012, Nobel Prize winner Prof. Wole Soyinka won the award. Chief

Speaking on the feat of winning the award, Chief Babalola said: “When I heard the news, I was very happy. It was a minister, who called my attention to the announcement.

“I am happy that my contributions in the field of education is being rewarded by the reputable Obafemi Awolowo Foundation. That I am found worthy to be equated with the sterling leadership qualities of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, especially in the area of education, excites me and I am encouraged.

On the uniqueness of the award, Babalola said: “It was in 2016 that the London University awarded LLD (Honoris Causa) for my landmark achievements. I was the third African, apart from President Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu, to be given such award.

“I understand that the Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize has only been won by two persons, Prof.  Wole Soyinka and former South African President Dr. Thabo Mbeki, since inception. This speaks to the profundity of the award.”

The ABUAD founder asked well-spirited individuals to join him in the task of building the nation, especially in giving back to the society, to make it better than it was.

“Like I keep saying, I want Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of giving. All about ABUAD is about giving back to the society to make it better than one met it.

“Harvard University, Oxford University, among others, were donated by well-spirited individuals. Wealthy and public-spirited Nigerians are admonished to do more in the area of giving back to the society,” he said.