The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has revealed that a former attorney general of the federation, late Chiief Richard Akinjide was a living legend in the field of legal practice in Nigeria.
Fayemi, who revealed that he was a neighbour to the late elder statesman at his Ibadan residence, said the late politician was not only synonymous with the law but was also a political juggernaut, an astute investor, religious chieftain and a cultural icon.
The governor, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed this in a tribute signed in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.
He noted that the late Akinjide will be remembered for his brilliance, doggedness and accomplishments as a renowned legal icon and astute politician par excellence.
He stressed further that the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice will be remembered for his brilliance, doggedness and accomplishments as a renowned legal icon and astute politician par excellence.
Akinjide’s brilliance and competence, he added, saw him being appointed as Minister of Education at a relatively young age of 33 years.
According to Fayemi, Akinjide was a legal giant, a brilliant advocate, an astute prosecutor and jurisprudential philosopher of note belonging to the second set of those awarded the prestigious honour of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1978.
The Governor pointed out that although Akinjide’s controversial and iconoclastic stances on topical national issues were often unacceptable to many, his patriotism, resilience and conviction could not be faulted.
He then wrote: “On behalf of my wife, government and good people of Ekiti State, I hereby express my sincere condolences to his family, the Ibadan Traditional Council, Oyo State Government and the Nigerian nation.
“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
