Akande, Beacon of Integrity - Obasanjo
From Josephine Lohor in Abuja and Chika Amanze Nwachukwu in Lagos
President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday described the death of Chief Adebowale Duro-saiye Akande (SAN), as a departure of "a beacon of courage and integrity."
The president, in a condolence letter to Jadesola, his widow, he said Akande paid him a visit on the eve of his departure to England, where he passed on.
While conveying his heartfelt sympathy, Obasanjo said "it was with immense sadness indeed and a great sense of loss that I received news of his demise in London last Saturday."
Part of the letter reads: "When Chief Akande paid me a farewell visit on the eve of his departure to England, little did I know that it was to part and not to meet again on this side of the veil.
"My family and I join you in mourning the passage of this great Nigerian whose life-long commitment to the noble principles of equity, justice and fairness to all will remain a glaring example to present and future generations.
"While we pray that God Almighty grant you and your children the courage and fortitude to bear the pains of losing such a dear husband and father, I urge you to also take comfort in the knowledge that Chief Akande lived a most worthy and accomplished life.
"As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and chairman of the Body of Benchers, Akande had risen, most deservedly, to the pinnacle of his profession in our country. He also exhibited uncommon courage and commitment to great ideals, in his contributions to the political development of our country.
"With his death, a beacon of courage and integrity has sadly departed from our midst and we will all miss him greatly," Obasanjo added.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will on August 19, at the Nigerian Law School, hold a valedictory session in his honour.
President of the association, Chief Wole Olanipekun, (SAN), who announced this yesterday, said the session was necessary in view of the deceased's immense contributions to the legal profession.
Akande, who he noted was a life member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the association, one-time General Secretary and Chairman, Body of Benchers, died last Friday, August 6 in a London hospital.
Olanipekun who said the special court session will start at exactly 10 a.m, urged members to endeavour to attend, as a mark of respect to their departed colleague.
Meanwhile, Nigerians from all walks of life have continued to visit the deceased's Surulere, Lagos home, to commiserate with his widow, Professor Jadesola Akande and the children.
Those who called yesterday were Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Chief Adebayo Adefarati, erstwhile former Governor of Ondo State, Professor Akin Oyebode, Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Ado-Ekiti and former Information Minister, Chief Alex Akinyele.
Others were immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Mr Musiliu Smith, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Augustine Ade-Alabi, who described Akande's death as a rude shock. The body of the late lawyer is expected to arrive Lagos at the weekend.
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