Lawyers and indeed Nigerians have paid glowing tribute to Professor Akin Oyebode, a quintessential jurist as he turned 70 recently.
The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media & Publicity wrote:
President Muhammadu Buhari through his has congratulated erudite scholar and renowned Professor of International Law, Prof. Akin Oyebode, as he clocks 70 years.
President Buhari delightfully joined the academia, all professional colleagues, family and friends of the scholar, who has spent 44 years in research, teaching and writing seminal papers that both institutions and governments have found most relevant for development.
President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, commended Oyebode’s diligence, discipline and exceptional brilliance in bringing fresh perspectives to international law at a period like this in the history of mankind.
As he turns 70 years and retires from the university, the President affirmed that Oyebode’s contribution to nation building would always be remembered and preserved by posterity, believing that more opportunities will be waiting for research, networking and seminal presentations.
President Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant the scholar longer life, good health and wisdom to serve the nation.
Henry Ikwunemere
Today 9th of December, 2017 marks Professor Akin Oyebode’s 70th birthday and formal withdrawal from University of Lagos, a University where he has taught International Law and Jurisprudence in the last 44years.
Prof Oyebode, isn’t just a teacher, he is an oracle in the act. His pedagogical dexterity and mastering of his field cum erudition is second to none. His “Nuisance Value” is Internationally acknowledged.
Having bagged his LL.B at Moscow, Prof proceeded to Kiev for his LL.M. According to him, when he returned to Nigeria, his friend and former Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Jelili Adebisi Omotola SAN advised that having studied in the East where Marxism and Lennism were strong ideological leaning, that it would be good he proceeded to the West for a balanced views. As a result, Professor Oyebode proceed to Harvard Law School at Cambridge Massachusetts for another LL.M where he drank directly from the legendary Lon Fuller, after which he enrolled at Osgood Hall Law School, York, Toronto Canada for his PhD, specialising in the Law of Treaty.
Prof Oyebode, has taught generation of accomplished lawyers and jurists, amongst whom are, Chief Bayo Ojo SAN, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Prof Taiwo Osipitan SAN, Senator Nduma Egba SAN, Prof Fidelis Odita QC,SAN, Odein Henry Ajumogobia SAN, Hon Justice Kafayat Kekere-Ekun JSC, etc. Prof Oyebode is very proud of UNILAG brand.
Prof Oyebode was highly dedicated to his job which he discharged with so much passion, love, discipline, integrity and panache. Those of us who passed through this sage and Legal legend will agree with me that Prof Oyebode was an inspiration to everyone and students’ delight. Despite being a former Dean, Vice Chancellor etc, Professor Oyebode never came to class late. 7:45am he was already in for 8am jurisprudence class.
As you proceed on your retirement from today after years of meritorious service of unblemished records I pray God Almighty continue to bless you with sound health. I wish you many happy returns.
Happy birthday Prof!
Talk Moses Ihiabe
I have just read a tribute written by a legal practitioner facebook friend Henry Ikwunemere written in honour of Prof. Akin Oyebode. Very succinctly written. Apparently, the writer was a classroom student to Prof.
I first met Prof. Akin Oyebode on a flight to calabar in 2014. He had been invited as the guest lecturer for CrossRiverWatch 2nd Anniversary and Public lecture organized by my Boss Agba Jalingo. Prior to this time, I have followed Prof. Oyebode on interviews especially on Channels. In my less than 1hour interaction with him on-board, I couldn’t help but admire his person and the height of his unparalleled intellectual strength.
Prof. gave a lecture on the Bakassi debacle. Within 2hours, we got so much information that would suffice for a PhD thesis on the subject matter.
A Dr. of jurisprudence and international treaty, a legal icon of high repute. Prof. have also taught over 50 SAN including Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo.
Happy 70th Birthday Sir. Only read he is resigning from lecturing in Unilag today too.
I think Prof. Akin Oyebode deserves a national honour if he doesn’t have one yet.
DNL Legal and Style joins the entire legal community in wishing the legal luminary a happy birthday and more fulfilling life.