‘He Was My Counsellor And Confidant’ – Obasanjo Mourns Babalakin

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of former Supreme Court Judge, Bolarinwa Babalakin, as a painful and sad one.

Ezenwoko’s Blog had earlier reported that the eminent jurist and the father of Dr Wale Babalakin, had passed on Saturday, at the age of 94.

Obasanjo also stated that the late jurist was his counsellor, mentor, friend and confidant who would be sorely missed by his friends and associates.

He made this known in a condolence letter issued by his spokesman, Kehinde Akinyemi, and sent to the deceased son on Sunday.

The former President appreciated the deceased for his wise counsel and contribution to national development while he was alive, adding that the late Babalakin was one of his consultation arrowheads and contact points.

He said: “Although we are deeply saddened to hear of his transition, we are comforted by the knowledge that he lived a full, distinguished and useful life of service and devotion to his community, his state, the nation and to humanity.

“We commiserate with you and the entire good people of Osun State and pray that Allah, in His mercy, will comfort you and other members of his family.

“Justice Babalakin will for long be remembered for his immense contribution to the building of this great nation, Nigeria.

“In all respects, he was a titan: a good man, an inspiring leader and remarkable statesman whose intellect, integrity, hard work and vision impacted significantly on the legal profession.

“He served the nation in many challenging positions, notably as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from where he retired in 1992.

“In all of the positions he held, Justice Babalakin earned the respect and confidence of Nigerians and non-Nigerians by dint of hard work, professional excellence, devotion to duty and resourcefulness.”

Obasanjo added that the deceased was committed and upheld the cherished tradition of the public service while he was alive.

The former leader stated the late jurist’s name left behind a good name and will be remembered by those who experienced his warmth, generosity and guidance.

He added: “Indeed, throughout his entire career in the public service, he demonstrated rare qualities of commitment and courage, always upholding the cherished tradition of the public service and left behind a name that was thoroughly bathed in honour and dignity.

“Justice Babalakin’s name will live forever in the minds and hearts of those who experienced his warmth, generosity and guidance.

“As a community leader and a prominent patriot, Justice Babalakin earned the respect of his people, not only for the great commitment that he had for the progress of Gbogan, his hometown, and the rest of Osun State but also for his abiding faith in national unity.

“He exhibited very good leadership qualities, wisdom and wealth of experience which indeed he put to use in the discharge of his responsibility to his community and the nation as a whole.

“Until his death and for many years, he was one of my consultation arrowheads and contact points, majorly on the socio-political issues in Nigeria. He was indeed a true senior brother, counsellor, mentor, friend and confidant.”