Chief Akinjide was a pride of Ibadan and the Nigerian society—- Senator Abiola Ajimobi

Immediate Past Governor of Oyo State and the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sent a message of condolence to the family of former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide, describing him as a pride of Ibadanland and the Nigerian Society.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ajimobi described the death of Akinjide as sad notwithstanding that he died at an advanced age of 88 years. Reproduced below is the full statement:

“I received with great sadness the transition of a legal luminary and an illustrious son of Ibadanland, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide.

“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”.

“On behalf of myself and my family, I pray that his soul continues to find rest in the bosom of the Almighty God. And May God grant his family and those left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”