- Prince BOLA AJIBOLA’s Son, SEGUN AJIBOLA (SAN)
Segun Ajibola (SAN) is the eldest son of late eminent Jurist, Prince Bola Ajibola who died a few days back in Abeokuta. Segun, like his late dad is a Lawyer and a Senior Advocate.
In his lifetime, the image of Prince Bola Ajibola loomed large in the legal profession. He was a collossus who at various times occupied key positions in government. He held both International & National posts. Let’s tell you how great he was. He was the President and Judge of the World Bank Administrative. Tribunal (Washington D.C and London). He was Arbitrator/Commissioner for the Boundary Dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea (EEBC) Chairman of the Nigerian Delegation, Cameroon/Nigeria Mixed Commission, set up to resolve the boundary dispute between the 2 countries after the International Court of Justice Judgement of 10 October, 2022.
He was a Judge of the International Court of Justice, The Hague (5 December 1991 to 5 February 1994) appointed Judge Ad-Hoc in the case concerning the Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria (Cameroon vs Nigeria) 12 April 1994-10 October 2022. He was Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (10 November 1999-8 March 2022). He was Judge of the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo) 1994-2001, He was member of the Panel of Commissioners of United Nations Compensation Commission set up to review the claim submitted by the Government of Kuwait and other Governments and Corporation against the Government of Iraq as a result of the Gulf War (Geneva), 1994-2000, He was a member, Permanent Court of Arbitration. The Hague, Netherlands, He was a member of the Steering Committee of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague, Netherlands., He was a member of the Governing Board of International Maritime Law Institute of The International Maritime Organisation (Malta).
He was President of World Association of Judges of the World Jurist Association (Washington D,C), He was an Arbirtrator Court of Arbitration for Sports CAS Ad-Hoc Division for the Commonwealth Games in Juala Lumpur, 1998, Ad-Hoc Division for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, He was President, Pan African Council of London Court of International Arbitration (1994-1999), He was a member, International Law Commission, United Nations, Geneva (1986-1991). He was a Member International Court of Arbitration of the ICC, Paris (1975-1999), He was a Vice Chairman, the Commission on International Arbitration, ICC, Paris. He was a Member International Maritime Arbitration Commission, Paris. He was Member of the Board of Trustees of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (The Hague, Netherlands). He was a Member of Board of Directors of the International Development Law Institute (Rome). He is a Fellow, Charted Institute of Arbitration (London). He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board University of Buckingham (England). He is a Honourable Bencher of the Lincoln’s Inn. He is a Honorary Vice-President, Association of Arbitrators (Southern Africa).
His Posts In Legal Profession And Others In Nigeria, include the following: He was a Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Federal Republic of Nigeria (12 September 1985-4 December, 1991). He was the President, Nigeria Bar Association (1984-1985). He was the President, Association of Arbitrators of Nigeria (1974-1999). He was the Vice Chairman Body of Bencher (1989-1990). He was the Chairman Body of Benchers (1990-1991). He became a Life Bencher (1991). He was Chairman Disciplinary Committee of the Bar (1985-1991). He was Chairman, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (1985-1991). He was Chairman, Advisory Committee of the Prerogative of Mercy (1998-1991) and Chairman of the Task Force for the Revision of the Laws of the Federation, 1990.
And many more. The list is endless.
A few days ago City People spent quality time with Segun Ajibola in his chambers and we got him to talk about what he will miss about his late dad. We asked him to tell us intimate things about his dad, which he did.
What sort of a man was this eminent jurist who did Nigeria proud at the International Court of Justice, the Hague, in those good old days when Nigeria dominated the world stage.
Is it possible for us to get someone who will step into the big shoes his father left behind? He told us what he thinks.
How has it been since his Daddy passed on, we asked him. What has been life like? “It is almost like a new life, if I may describe it as one, interms of a lot of revelations, flowing in from several quarters about our father.
It is almost as if we are just beginning to know who he really was. Or we are just beginning to discover how far his tentacles spread and his impact on peoples lives. There has been quite a lot of accolades and eulogise, appreciating the life he has lived, by people who we probably didn’t even know he met before, over 89 years of life, effectively living 60 years of it in full interactions with people across the world. It is quite hectic, so to speak, in trying to come to terms with his departure and speak, in trying to come to terms with his departure and the very hefty legacy of Goodwill that he left behind for us to cope with.”
“But by and large, we give glory to God for his life and the way he chose to spend it and the positive impact that he has had on people and we are gladdened that a lot of people appreciate their interactions with him and remember the good times that they had spent with him. That is for us, quite elating. And quite defined and inspiring and uplifting. It has in a way, softened the blow, or the impact of his departure, at least for now. We are quite overwhelmed, so to speak.”
When he looks back at his dad’s life, and that of, Segun Ajibola’s growing up years, what are the things he recalls about his dad and the man called Prince Bola Ajibola? “I grew up knowing my father as a very tough personality, much tougher than a lot of people will probably know or are aware of. I think he was very good in moderating his strict disciplinarian character such that he reserved that for us within the family, within the home, where he felt he was much needed. As a growing up youngsters we get up into all sorts of things which needs to be corrected and well guided. He was a very strict person, very loving and very passionate and very deep. As a matter of fact, it was difficult for us to find the difference between how strict he was and how loving he can really be. So, as a result, we found ourselves as children, particularly in the home, struggling to do it the way he desires. One, to avoid his wrath, and 2ndly to attract his love and affection. We were always caught up in that struggle to win his affection and avoid this things that will make him come down on us like a thunder”.
What will Segun Ajibola miss most about him? “I will miss the positive aspect of his domineering nature. My interpretation of his domineering character is positive, in terms of what it helped us to achieve and in terms of what he himself was able to achieve and what he was able to pass on to us, and how he helped us to achieve certain milestones in our lives.”
“I for one, I appreciate the need to be tough about the way I go about my things. But as you grow older, you realise that diplomacy, also can win the day. You will realise that being subtle atimes, can be the key to the door. So, you employ your tools well, at relevant times, and where and how needed. I think his own domineering character helped him a lot because he seemed to have an idea of where he wanted to go from the beginning of everything he does. So, as a result, he never looked left or right in going forward. He never allowed any distraction, to come his way. One, he was a very resolute fellow and person. And once he decides this is his direction, he is going that way, regardless of what ever he may encountered. He has succeeded in a number of efforts in that manner. And he is an inspiration to those of us who want to emulate him in one way or the other. We are not saying we want to be like him. I think that is a very tall order as most of us can see. But at least in our own contribution to adding value, and living an impactful life. We draw inspiration from the way he has lived his own life.
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