Justice Ariwoola served the judiciary meritoriously— Oyo Gov

The Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described Rtd. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as a pride of the state and a man of integrity who served the judiciary meritoriously without blemish.

The governor gave the commendation during a special Thanksgiving Celebration programe held in honor of the legal icon on Saturday at his home town, Iseyin, Oyo state.

Represented by his Deputy, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, the Governor noted that justice Ariwoola’s retirement called for celebration having performed creditably well as justice of the Supreme Court.

He described his sojourn in the Legal profession as a real privilege that came along with integrity, and good characters.

In his words: “First and foremost, to really go into this trajectory in the judiciary from High court, to court of appeal, to the Supreme Court, not only in the Supreme Court, to really become the CJN of Nigeria is a real privilege and that comes along with integrity, good character in order for anybody to rise to become the CJN. So, it’s a thing of joy for us.

“Now, in Oyo state, Honourable Justice Ariwoola is the only Justice who became Chief Justice of Nigeria to my memory, to my knowledge, so for us in Oyo state, his retirement calls for celebration and he retired meritoriously and what you have seen is a testimony of the fact that he performed creditably well as a judge, as CJN to the extent that virtually all Justices of the Supreme Court are in attendance as I am speaking to honour him.

“So, to me, it’s a thing of joy for us in Oyo state, it’s a thing of joy for the family of Ariwoola, it’s a thing of joy for the judiciary in Oyo state. We are celebrating.”

Earlier in his sermon, the National Missioner of the Istijabah group, Sheik Ashiru Kolawole, admonished the celebrat to be thankful to Allah who saw him through the prestigious position without flaws.

The event, was a moment to thank Almighty Allah for the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON as families, friends, members of Bar and Bench across the nation, captains of industry, Royal Fathers and religious leaders graced the Thanksgiving Celebration of the Legal Icon.

It later gained momentum as guest were hosted at a popular event center in Iseyin with special delicacies and sonorous music of Juju Maestro, Chief Ebenezer Obey.

Among notable dignitaries at the event was the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekereekun, who lauded RTD, Justice Ariwoola describing him as a good leader that had positive impact on the judiciary.

Others were Oyo North Senator, Fatai Buhari, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kudirat Olanike Adeyemo, including his sister, Alhaja Fausat Joke Sanni, who extolled the virtues of Justice Ariwoola.

On the entourage of the Deputy Governor include Former Deputy Governor, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abdul-waheed Soliu Adelabu; Chairman House of Assembly Commission; Olufemi Julious; SA Legal, Hassan Ajibade; SA Administration, Kunle Sanni; SA Domestic, Adesola Badmus and other top government functionaries.