Former Oyo State governor and Deputy National Chairman (South) All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has described late Chief Richard Akinjide as a bride of Ibadan and the Nigerian society.
Ajimobi in a statement said he received with great sadness the transition of the legal luminary and an illustrious son of Ibadanland, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide.
He said, “Though he died at an advanced age of 88 years, his death still came as a rude shock to me and many other Nigerians who heard about it.
“As a legal icon, he was the pride of Ibadan and the Nigerian society, proving his worth at different legal fora.
“As a nationalist, he gave his best to the world of legal practice and the best came back to him in terms of recognition. He was indisputably recognized as a brilliant jurist and was deservedly accorded the honour. He was Queens Counsel (QC), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a life bencher who brought his wealth of experience to the Nigerian Bar.
“As a statesman, he served his country diligently being Minister of Education in the first Republic and in the second republic, he was the Chief Legal Officer. Chief Akinjide would forever be remembered for his contribution to the body of knowledge in the legal profession with some prominent lawyers of today taking tutelage by his feet.
“As we fervently pray for the repose of his soul, we are consoled by the fact that his legacies of good works will continue to live on after him. In the words of former American President, Abraham Lincoln, “In the end it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years”, Ajimobi said.
