WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF AFE BABALOLA UNIVERSITY, PROF. E. SMARANDA OLARINDE FCI. Arb, FCAI, AT THE EKITI SUMMIT MAGAZINE TO AWARD HOLDEN AT 11.00 AM, ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025.

• Protocols.

On behalf of the Founder, Chancellor, and President, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), LL. D (UNILAG), LL. D (UI), D. Lit (NDA), FNIALS, FCI. Arb, FNSE, his amiable wife Yeye Aare Modupe Babalola, FSM, FNIMN, FFPA, the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, the Senate, Members of Management, Esteemed Members of Staff, Distinguished Guest, and, most importantly the Management of the Ekiti Summit Magazine, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with immense joy that I welcome you all to this momentous occasion,

This welcome address is to set the tone for why we are gathered here this morning. Just a couple of days ago, I was intimated with the decision of the Management of the Ekiti Summit Magazine to award, Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), LL. D (UNILAG), LL. D (UI), D. Lit (NDA), FNIALS, FCI. Arb, FNSE, the Person of the Year Honour. I am not surprised at the decision of the organizers to confer this honour, on our Chancellor.

The idea of magazines having a person of the Year Award is not an alien practice, it is a rich tradition where person(s) with exceptional qualities and contributions to the advancement of humanity are chosen for such honour. Our Chancellor is eminently qualified on account of his sterling and ennobling contributions to the advancement of humanity. In this instance, the publisher of the Ekiti Summit has chosen, a great man with achievements too many to ignore, and for us this is a unique opportunity to further celebrate our highly revered leader.

While this is a responsibility-filled day for me, it’s also an emotional moment as we have gathered once again to celebrate a man of great value, international reputation and tireless energy. His contributions to mankind are outstanding and eternal. That is the central theme of his life, a life donated in service and advancement of mankind with a resolute determination to uplift and enrich the human race. At every opportunity, our Chancellor’s commitment for a greater and better world remains his ultimate motivation.  

A special gratitude goes to Mr. Femi Alufa, Publisher and Managing Editor of the Ekiti Summit Magazine and his entire team for proposing this event and for the choice of Aare Afe Babalola as the Man of the Year. I make bold to state that Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), LL. D (UNILAG), LL. D (UI), D. Lit (NDA), FNIALS, FCI. Arb, FNSE, is a man of eternal seasons whose illustrious contributions to the advancement of humanity will stand the test of time and outlive him and many generations to come. We shall continue to pray to God to grant him many years of excellent health and strength, “Human race. At every opportunity, our Chancellor’s commitment for a greater and better world remains his ultimate motivation.* 

A special gratitude goes to Mr. Femi Alufa, Publisher and Managing Editor of the Ekiti Summit Magazine and his entire team for proposing this event and for the choice of *Aare Afe Babalola as the Man of the Year.* I make bold to state that *Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), LL. D (UNILAG), LL. D (UI), D. Lit (NDA), FNIALS, FCI. Arb, FNSE,* is a man of eternal seasons whose illustrious contributions to the advancement of humanity will stand the test of time and outlive him and many generations to come. We shall continue to pray to God to grant him many years of excellent health and strength, for us to continue to draw endless inspiration, guidance, lessons, and practices from him. Our great Chancellor still has a lot to offer, which is branded in his VERY NAME “ENIAFE.” 

He is a “special man” born into grinding poverty and absence of opportunities to advance in life, yet he has created opportunities for generations of people. He took on when lack of funds had shut the doors against him for secondary and university education. The Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, SAN, after primary school education, soldiered on and attained all post-primary education by correspondence. What a great achiever! 

I am happy and excited today to be here to join the host of admirers and lovers of Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, on this occasion to celebrate another worthy milestone in his life. Every day is a dawn of a new and greater achievement for Aare Afe Babalola. This is a man indeed. Many are born, but not many know why they came to this world! 

We cannot adequately celebrate this iconic figure enough. It is a *lifetime assignment for some of us. Only a day ago, his Imperial Majesty the Ooni of Ife; his Royal Majesty, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, and many leading traditional rulers paid the Aare a visit. The purpose of it has been widely reported by the media. 

During the visit, many things struck me, and my respect for the Aare further climbed in astronomical progressions. I do not have enough time, but let me just mention two lessons which I gained personally from that event. The first is that our Founder is a highly cultured gentleman with tremendous respect for his tradition. That is not entirely new to me, having related closely with him in the last few decades. In this age, we need to inculcate into the present generation of youths the need for respect for our culture. Aare Omoluabi’s ethos is simply incomparable. The second essential lesson from the meeting which I want to amplify is the Chancellor’s well-known compassionate nature. During the said meeting, the great Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola said: 

“I have nothing to gain from the lawsuit.” 

Speaking to journalists, Aare Afe Babalola, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, explained that the case had lingered due to professional advice from his legal team, “The request is simple: to take away this criminal case in court. When President Obasanjo wrote, he came here, I said no. When Bishop Kukah phoned and came, I said NO, but on this occasion, I say yes. Thank you, Kabiyesi. I will speak to my lawyers to withdraw it.” 

I rejected an oil block, defended the EFCC law, and turned down ministerial nominations twice. “I often wonder why someone would suddenly try to tarnish all I have worked so hard to achieve,” Aare Babalola said. 

Once again, we thank the Ekiti Summit Magazine and by extension the entire media platforms present. 

On behalf of the Board of Trustee, the Governing Council, the Senate, and indeed the entire ABUAD Community, I heartily welcome you to today’s celebration. 

Thank You!

Prof. Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde, FCArb, FCAI

Vice-Chancellor, ABUAD.

28^th January, 2025.