Crescent Varsity Honours Three Ngos At 17th Founder's Day

Crescent University, Abeokuta has bestowed the 2023 Bola Ajibola Community Service Awards on three Non Governmental Organizations during its 17th Founder's Day Celebrations which also coincided with 89th birthday of the institution's founder and a former judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) His Excellency Judge Bola Ajibola.

The annual award is to recognize organizations and personalities who tow the legacy line of Judge Ajibola started in 1994 in an address tagged "A Call for Action" in Lusaka, Zambia, under the banner of a Non-Governmental Organization called African Concern which, apart from carrying the burdens of Africans, sought the collaboration of Africans to solve Africa's problems.

Her Royal Majesty, Olori Adijat Bamidele Matemilola is one of the recipients of 2023 Bola Ajibola Community Service Award on behalf of Oba Matemilola Oluyalo, Otileta VII Foundation for her contributions to education, health and socio-economic programmes.

For his contributions to Islamic advocacy and multifaith harmony, Mr Disu Kamor who is the Executive Chairman of Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) also bagged 2023 Bola Ajibola Community Service Award while the Executive Director of The Grassroots Aid Initiative, Dr Kadijat Kehinde Kadiri clinched the same award in another category for her contributions to grassroots social and economic empowerment.

Presentations for the three categories of the award were done by His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr) Olufemi Ogunleye, Towulade of Akinale, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom and a member of the Board of Trustees of Crescent University, Barr. Mahruf Adesegun Ajibola (SAN) respectively.

Earlier in his welcome address, the vice chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila explained that the numerous national and international achievements of Judge Bola Ajibola were crowned by the establishment of Crescent University as his ultimate vision about 19 years ago when Judge Ajibola was already 70.

The vice chancellor was proud that the university had attracted students from all 36 States of Nigeria with female alumni making the most first class at graduation ceremonies.

A professor of Jurisprudence and International Law and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Charles Olufemi Adekoya delivered the 17th Founder's Day Lecture on Human Rights and Elections in which he condemned sharp practices within the jurisdiction of the Nigerian law system.

In a related development, foundation laying of the Bola Ajibola Gallery was also done as part of this year's tripartite anniversary to immortalize Judge Ajibola who was referred to as "An Exemplar of Service to Humanity at 89".

The Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, Otileta VII led the turning of the sod, supported by Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila and a BOT member, Barr. Adesegun Ajibola (SAN) with other children of Judge Ajibola namely: Mrs Modupe Afikuyomi, the university registrar, Barr. Zakariyya Ajibola, Mrs Oluwatoyin Awosika, Miss Saanu Ajibola and Mr Islam Ajibola.