The dream of a 91-year-old Professor of Law who was on Thursday, October 21, named among 72 lawyers who got the new Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank has finally come true.
The 91-year-old Professor of Law, Professor Ajagbe Toriola Oyewo, who is also a traditional chief in Ibadan, Oyo State, was among the 10 academics who were in the legal profession that were elevated into the prestigious rank. Of all, 72 senior lawyers were elevated to what is referreed to in the legal profession as the ‘Silk.’
The 10 academics that were named the new Senior Advocates included Professors Bankole Akintoye Sodipo, Christian Chizundu Wigwe, Ajagbe Toriola Oyewo, Rasheed Jimoh Ijaodola, Oluyinka Osayame Omorogbe, Edoba Bright Omoregie, Abiola Olaitan Sanni, Dr Josephine Aladi Achor Agbonika and Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi.
The daughter of the new Senior Advocate, Mrs Adekitan Adeagbo, who first announced the elevation of her father on her Facebook wall on Thursday evening, described her father’s elevation at the age of 91 as divine.
Mrs Adeagbo, who works as a broadcaster with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), said: “Congratulations to my father, Professor (Chief) Toriola Ajagbe Oyewo, as he is elevated to the most prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at the age of 91.
“Daddy, no doubt, the Lord has been merciful unto you as He preserved you to get to the pinnacle of the profession you have been passionate about. Who says age is a barrier to success in life? This elevation is divine.
“Yours has proven to us that with determination, hardwork, persistence and resilience, among others, the sky is just the beginning and not the limit for great successes. I am so proud of you and I promise I shall also make you proud in life.”
She also posted the picture of her and the father which they took together at a social function.
Other eminent lawyers who also became Senior Advocates apart from the 10 academics are George Audu Anuga, Simon Asember Lough, Eko Ejembi Eko, Ayo Abraham Olorunfemi, Reuben Okpanachi Atabo, John Ogwu Adele, Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, Eyitayo Ayokunle Fatogun, Jacob Johnson Usman, Tajudeen Olaseni Oladoja, Salman Jawando Ayinla.
Others were Adeola Rasaq Omotunde, Mathew Gwar Bukka, Mohammed Ndayako, Hassan Usman El-Yakub, Ishaq Magaji Hussaini, Samuel Atung, Mohammed Abdulhamid, Kabiru Aliyu, Mohammed Abdulaziz Sani, Uche Sunday Awa, Uchenna Chinyere Ihediwa, Philip Ndubuisi Umeh, Peter Aguigom Afuba, Felix Anayo Onuzulike, Benjamin Chukwudi Uzuegbu.
Also on the list were Benjamin Nworah Osaka, Ikenna Okoli, Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora, Emeka Jude-Philip Obegolu, Clement Onwuenwunor, Chijioke Ogugua Precious Emeka, Anthony Obinna Mogboh, Victor Ugwuezumba Opara, Kamasuode Wodu, Charles Udoka Ihua-Maduenyi, Sammie Abiye Somiari, Ogaga Ovrawah, Charles Dumbiri Mekwunye, Ikeazor Ajovi Akaraiwe.
Others were Marcellous Eguvwe Oru, Mark Okebuinor Mordi, Ehiogie West Idahosa, Fredricks Ebos Itula, Ibrahim Idris Agbomere, Anthony Ademuyiwa Adeniyi, Bolarinwa Olotu, Adekola Olawale Fapohunda, Adekunle Akanbi Ojo, Olaotan Olusegun Ajose-Adeogun, Rotimi Sheriff Seriki, Olukayode Oluwole Adeluola, Adeyinka Moyosore Kotoye.
Others were Oluwasina Olanrewaju Ogungbade, Afolabi Fatai Kuti, Francis Omotosho, Ayodeji Adedipe, Adeleke Olaniyi Agbola, James Akingbola Akinola, Muritala Oladimeji Abdul-Rasheed, Dauda Adekola Mustapha and Kazeem Adekunle Gbadamosi.