Chief Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the proprietor and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, has explained why he turned down ministerial appointments offered to him by four Nigerian presidents.
The proprietor of the institution made the disclosure at the 3rd convocation ceremony of the university on Wednesday, October 21, in Ado Ekiti.Babalola said that with so much pressure from former President Olusegun Obasanjo he later accepted to serve as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, on the condition that he would not be paid salaries or allowances throughout his tenure.
The renowned lawyer expressed regrets that many Nigerians were not willing to contribute to national development, urging them to shun greed and be contented.
He further said that the rot as well as state of financial recklessness he met at the University of Lagos drove him into establishing a university.
Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who was chairman of the occasion, commended Babalola’s vision in partnering with government to take education to the next level.
Ayo Fayose, governor of Ekiti, also commended Babalola for considering the state as host for the university, urging other wealthy indigenes of the state to emulate him.
A total of 736 students graduated from the six faculties of the institution.
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