Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the late former attorney general of the federation, Bola Ajibola, was his role model, who served Nigeria selflessly.

In a statement, Mr Osinbajo’s media aide Laolu Akande said the vice-president was at the interment of the deceased in Abeokuta on Sunday.

The vice-president said the late Ajibola was his mentor.

Accompanied by his wife, Dolapo, Mr Osinbajo was received by the deceased’s first son, Segun Ajibola, on the premises of the Islamic Mission for Africa, an institution established by the former World Court judge where he was also interred.

Other dignitaries at the event included former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Governor Segun Osoba. Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele was also present at the burial.

Mr Osinbajo also met with the wife of the deceased, Amatulaye Ajibola and their children, expressing his condolences and offering prayers. 

Speaking with journalists afterwards, Mr Osinbajo described the deceased as a man of integrity with a deep commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

“He was a man who believed that the worth of a person is what he is able to give back to society and he demonstrated it throughout his own life. So, I think it is a life that ought to be celebrated and it is a life that is an example to us all. Something he demonstrated while I worked with him was a belief in this nation, a belief in our country as a united nation,” said the vice-president.

He added, “But more importantly, is that one could serve in the public domain with integrity and with altruism. He demonstrated this all his life. First, he did not accept to be paid a salary when he was attorney general. At some point in his life, he told me that he wanted to establish a university, which turned out to be the Crescent University and that he was going to sell everything that he owned to establish that university.”

During a special prayer session, the vice-president spoke about his personal feelings and interaction with the late elder statesman. Mr Osinbajo said it was a privilege to be mentored by the deceased.

“I am sad that he is gone. As Segun the first son said, I am actually ‘his first son’. It is really a great honour to have known him and to have been mentored by him. It was when I worked for him that I gained the knowledge and experience that eventually helped me when I became attorney general in Lagos state,” Mr Osinbajo recalled.

(NAN)