Where there is injury let me sow pardon, where there is doubt, let me sow doubt, let me sow faith, where there is despair, let me give hope – Thomas Aquinas
In an age where mental indolence, moral decadence and buck passing is the defining order and enjoying astonishing and distressing decimal, I stumbled on a fascinating figure with sterling accomplishments. Until very recently, he lived beyond my reach, matter of fact, nothing could have ushered me into his presence, but providence. I was asked by a team of friends led by Rev. Tunde Afe to join them on a courtesy visit to the grand-old man of Law at the last minute. I wasn’t excited, but I now thank goodness that I did.
I didn’t set out to find him. We operate miles and world apart, but his colourful, engaging, productive personality is undeniable and well known to all and sundry. It is indeed true that dynamites come in small packages, but it comes with such deafening impact that nothing can neglect its sound. His genius in law, education, and other spheres of human endeavour has made many to consider him a lawyer’s lawyer, an educationist par excellence and an elder statesman with flair for pushing the frontiers of success by dint of industry.
Here I am talking about no other that the legendary Aare Afe Babalola whom I met fortuitously only a couple of days back and I have not remained the same since then. The impact of that meeting has altered the trajectory of my life’s course in ways not imagined hitherto and I dare say for good. I cannot not fathom if it is the norm for Chancellor and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD), to deliberately cultivate people or mine was an exemption, but his exemplary conduct even days after my meeting with him remains indelible – I’m tempted to think of it as a life time experience which will remain with me for as long as I live.
It is said that a sense of destiny is often a strong feature of the inner life of great leader and long after meeting such characters, they light up sparks of fire that burn with unimaginative propensity that could either re-fire or refine beyond the wildest imagination. His message is inspirational, captivating and sounds unbelievable, yet it is true this man of such tremendous accomplishment didn’t have the benefit of a formal education beyond standard IV, yet his razor sharp mind remains alert and suffused with power of clarity even at such an advanced age of 86.
He regaled us with a particular story of how he desperately wanted scholarship to further his education. The narrative wouldn’t have bordered me much but for the fact that in his word, the event told place on December 5, 1947. I was simply blown away by the power of his recall. Here, he was telling of an incident that took place approximately 71 years ago with such clarity and precision. Blessed with sound health of the body and of the mind, he is still roaring with pursuit of new goals even in the eventide of his life. His life continues to inspire and make imperishable pointer to the possibilities within the reach of man.
Aare is the real deal, a bold, imaginative, dynamic, committed, prodigious, yet extremely humble man. He is indeed a colossus, a legend, humanist, de-tribalized and father-figure to a vast array of people across many cultures, land and region. His mind is a goldmine of insight, wisdom and knowledge from which he dishes in his engagements in life. He dutifully took notes as we spoke during our meeting and when it was his time to respond, it was evident a skilful lawyer was at play: he presented facts based on analysis and made realities (perspectives) more pertinent to deny. A lively and vivid man, he doesn’t take his articulation as an opportunity to put people down, rather it is for him an opportunity to unleash the fountain of ideas he has acquired over the decades.
The legendary Winston Churchill once said that “a man’s life must be nailed to a cross either of Thoughts or Actions”. In Aare’s case, he is a fount of both-with corresponding proportions. While opinions and perceptions of his persona, contributions and engagement reverberate with all that know him closely, the lament is that contemporary times lack the space for his type and I wonder why?
Unfortunately, the life and contribution of this great figure is yet to receive commensurate recognition from the government, especially from his native state beyond mere platitude and gratuitous remarks. His life of rag to affluence, how he broke the shackles to the pinnacle is worth documenting for posterity. It is a measure large heartedness that motivates him to continue to contribute to humanity and especially the advancement of his beloved state of Ekiti. The story is told of how when he was given a brief on behalf of the Federal Government in the 2nd Republic, rather than accept the agreed fess of 5,000, 000 Naira, he lobbied the Shagari led government to site a Federal University in Ado-Ekiti and when the idea was enmeshed in the politics of UPN-NPN rivalry, he settled for a Federal Polytechnic in Ado-Ekiti. He made massive contribution in capital and infrastructure for the successful take-off of the school.
Aare’s maxim is simple: ‘do you best and never abdicate your responsibility under any guise’ that’s what drives and sustain him through the trajectory of his life’s journey thus far. In the presence of this giant, a truth was reinforced in my mind, which is that leadership is fundamental to everything. Leadership is the core ingredient that can motivate and transform a society. That he has achieved much and is still galloping on to more achievements boils down to leadership. Unfortunately, that Nigeria remains perennially developing is partly because (wo) men of his hue have left the political space for people who have refused to lead the crusade for the healing and immediate transformation of our country. The parallel is evident for all to see.
The essence of such sublime lives is that the study of personal leadership ought to be taken seriously. The burden of mis-governance, unthinking leadership makes it necessary to begin to interrogate the lives of such character as Aare with a view to reversing the ugly trend that has since define our national narrative. Nigeria’s divisiveness and cold indifference and to some degree government mishandling of the situation ought to make us read about the silent life of triumph of the likes of Aare with the hope to renew our vows to make our country great with a birth of purpose: we need purposeful leadership, it is what will make the difference.
In reading and acknowledging their enormous sacrifices and devotion to the best of humanity, we open a new vista of opportunities to renew dashed hopes, journey to a milestone of hope and attain peace and stability which are natural pre-condition for development. Aare Afe Babalola’s life is essentially built on ideals such as trust in yourself, have faith in God and extend your share of the bounties of life which it has pleased God to bless you with. I am happy that my path crossed his-such a man of boundless energy who at 86 ought to be retired to enjoy the fruits of his years of toiling yet is still up and doing.
Lately, a lot of commentators dismiss our country as a place where probably nothing good can thrive. They are indeed disillusioned. I do not blame them; nobody ought to blame them because it takes a man of great resolve to confront the present day realities in Nigeria. Aare Afe has shown with his demonstrable leadership skills that we can build a great country. He built one of the best private universities in Nigeria from a thick forest. Buildings are still springing up almost daily in the school. He is speaking to us as a nation: out of our weakness, we can replace with it strength. We can rebuild and forge a more perfect union where the abhorrent killings and mindless destructions of properties can end. Aare’s life has shown us that where preparation meets with purpose, greatness is inevitable. He has demonstrated with resolve, sacrifices and by dint of hard work, nothing is impossible.
Aare has shown us that glory is attainable even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. He has shown us and we are wired to be masters of our destiny and not throw up our hands in surrender to fate. He is calling us to be visionary. He is demanding unequivocally that we must solve the challenges facing us as a nation. He is stating that failure to have and demonstrate that will, will only lead us away from greatness. His life has shown that no limitation can stop a people with sufficient strength to prevail. Aare freed himself from the shackles of poverty; we can as a nation do the same with critical thinking.
Even though Aare found success as a lawyer, his life has been devoted to helping and advancing the course of humanity with an evangelical zeal. His chamber has trained more than 1,500 lawyers, including 15 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (SAN), several judges, academics and a number of Attorneys-General of the Federation. His world is not threatened by the rising of another. He is a builder of men and a creator of possibilities for the greater majority of people around and beyond him.
-Rotimi Opeyeoluwa
(Abuja)