Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has mourned the late Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin, stating that the late Jurist was one of his consultation arrowheads and contact points for many years.
He described Babalakin as a true elder brother and confidant whose death will be solely missed by him.
The late Babalakin was the father of Dr Wale Babalakin, and one of the country’s eminent jurists, who died on Saturday at aged 94.
In a condolence letter to Babalakin’s junior, a copy made available to newsmen by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said he so much valued the Hon. Justice “so very much for his wise and sagacious counsel,” declaring “he will be sorely missed by me.”
The letter reads, “I write, on behalf of my family and on my own behalf, to express our deep sense of loss at the transition of your beloved father, Hon. Justice Bolarinwa Oyegoke Babalakin, one of the nation’s most eminent jurists. Although we are deeply saddened to hear of his transition, we are comforted by the knowledge that he lived a full, distinguished 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 a 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. Indeed, throughout his entire career in the Public Service, he demonstrated rare qualities of commitment and courage, always upholding the cherished traditions 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.
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“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, who I valued so very much for his wise and sagacious counsel. He will be sorely missed by me.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that his death has robbed the nation of the services of a great patriot and public officer of sterling character but his service record will remain a noble challenge to subsequent generations to emulate.
“As you mourn the loss of your father, you can draw solace from knowing that he lived a fulfilled life and left behind a good name, lofty reputations and high standards. In all his life, he was a true follower of the tenets of Islam. I have no doubt, however, that you and the rest of the family will carry on from where he stopped especially in the areas of promotion of peace, justice, education and community development.
“I pray that Allah will grant him sweet repose, and you and other family members grace to bear the heavy and irreparable loss.”
