Aare Afe Babalola Honoured with 21st Century Lifetime Achievement African Gold Merit Award

• … for his enviable, unmatched record in the legal profession and leadership strides that have inspired moral growth and development in millions worldwide — Afrikanwatch

A diligent farmer, legal icon, philanthropist, and renowned educationist, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado‑Ekiti (ABUAD), was honoured over the weekend with the 21st Century Lifetime Achievement African Gold Merit Award by Afrikanwatch Network Communications.

The award celebrates his outstanding achievements in the legal profession and his leadership, which have fostered moral integrity and development across generations worldwide.

Leading the delegation to receive the award on behalf of the living legend and Bamofin of Yorubaland, the Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI, expressed deep gratitude to the organizers. She also reaffirmed ABUAD’s commitment to academic excellence that transcends Nigeria’s borders.

“This award inspires us to redouble our efforts in fostering academic distinction, social responsibility, and innovation,” Prof. Olarinde stated.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, addressed the theme: “Daemon & Demons: Nigeria’s Search for a Genuine Hero.” He emphasized the need for collective heroism over reliance on individual feats.

“A society that needs a hero will not make progress if it relies on the exploits of one man,” he said. “A hero is a man who is not afraid to run away. Our hero must be ready to help us rise from our differences. This is how we can banish the demon and find the daemon—with an ‘a’,” he added.

He also referenced iconic figures in Nigeria’s socio-political history and called for a new wave of supranational consciousness to foster genuine national heroes.

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Olatunde Babawale, praised the organizers for highlighting national excellence. He emphasized that leadership is crucial to the success or failure of any society and called for a shift in Nigeria’s national narrative—from one of division to one of unity and progress.

“Leadership must rise above the foundation designed to make Nigeria fail,” he emphasized.

Drawing from the keynote speech, he added that cultural values and purposeful leadership rooted in integrity are essential for societal advancement.

Before the unveiling of Afrikanwatch’s 11th Memoir, titled “The Nigerian Leadership Structure and Its Unsung National Heroes”, a panel of discussants emphasized that adherence to the rule of law is vital for the emergence of authentic national heroes. This sentiment resonated with Mr. Omatseye’s address.

In total, 15 distinguished personalities were honoured at the ceremony, including philanthropists, lawmakers, vice-chancellors, youth advocates, and Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of National Planning and Coordinating Minister of the Economy

Other dignitaries present included Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Anthony Adefuye, the Olugbon of Lagos; Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government Area; and several notable public servants and community leaders.

Meanwhile, Afrikanwatch Network Communications, which began as a magazine 16 years ago, has spent past 14 years consistently recognizing transformative leadership and the often-overlooked contributions of Nigeria’s unsung national heroes.