By Eric Elezuo
Birthdays are one of the most cherished moments in any person’s life, and so are celebrated with pomp and funfair. Most times, with extreme pomp. It is not therefore a surprise that celebrated human rights activist, constitutional lawyer and philanthropist, Professor Mike Abu Ozekhome, pulled all the stops penultimate week, when he drew the who is who in the Nigerian political, business, social and economic circle to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for a mother of all 67th birthday celebration, in addition to a legendary presentation of 50 classic books. All in one fell swoop.
The almost weeklong event, which took the city of Abuja by storm, kickstarted on the very day the inborn teacher was born; October 15. With a retinue of followers, family members and friends, the multiple award winning Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is the Akpakpa Vighi Vighi of Edoland, headed to the Durumi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, where he expressed what makes him thick, first as a human being, and then as a philanthropist of no mean value, and then as an advocate of human rights and dignity.
At Darumi, Prof Ozekhome showed forth his milk of human kindness, sharing edibles among the teeming homeless Nigerians, who have found themselves at the receiving end of a crisis, that is never their fault. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), beyond distributing palliatives, called for special budget for vulnerable people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the country.
He called on the Federal Government to create a yearly budget for the vulnerable members of the society, saying without that, the country will continue to incubate a dangerous segment of the society.
In response to why he chose an IDP camp to celebrate his birthday, the accomplished SAN said, “I chose the Durumi IDP camp to celebrate my 67th birthday because the situation in the camp is very pathetic.”
Thursday, the 17th of October, 2024, will be etched in the minds of good tidings, literacy and utmost good faith. On that day, at the beautiful and well decorated Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, multi-talented legal practitioner and distingushed national personality, broke the history books when apart from presenting 50 full fledged books, the first of its kind, he also brought among other prominent personalities, two distinguished former presidents; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
Following his visit to the less privileged at Durumi, the Legal luminary and constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome SAN, visited the intellectual world on the second day of marking his 67th birthday, with the books presentation, shunning a lavish party.
At the auspicious gathering of barristers at law, high profile teachers, reputable industrialists, classy entrepreneurs and political juggernauts, which was co-chaired by the two prolific former presidents, the atmosphere was one of conviviality, camaraderie and peace, exuding the belief and personalilty of the chief host, Prof Ozekhome.
With calculated candour, the event, anchored by popular broadcaster, Eugenia Abu, kicked off with the celebrant taking his time to share a moment ‘getting personal’ with every guests in the hall, just as more guests continue to troop into the already capacity filled hall. It was a testimony of Ozekhome’s good neighbourliness among folks both in his personal life, and his professional life.
In their speeches as chairmen of the event, the duo of Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan, took time to laud and hail the celebrant, who they described as an intellectual strongroom, having carve a niche in both legal and academic fields.
The two leaders did not hesitate to give their informed opinion on the state of the nation, with Jonathan condemning a situation where a local government chairman will suspend a party chairman at the national level.
Shortly after the chairmen’s opening remarks, a former chairman of the Body of Benchers (BOB), and accomplished lawyers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, mounted the Podium as the 50 books reviewer; a function he performed admirably in 15 minutes.
Chief Olanipekun, who commended the scholarly and brilliant mind of the author, noted that all the book expressed deep concerns about the state of the judiciary, legislature and executive and their impacts on the country’s political landscape. He also informed that there were other books among the fold, which touched on all other areas of human endeavours including health, entertainment and social existence.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose joviality has remained a subject of emulation, supervised the lauch of the books, assisted by great number of the personalities present including Some of the dignitaries at the event were former President Goodluck Jonathan, who co-chaired the event; former Firstlady, Dame Patience Jonathan; presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi; former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; Senator Shehu Sani; Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana, Dein of Agbor, Eze Ilomuanya, who represented the Chairman, Imo Council of Chiefs and representives of the 774 local government chairmen in Nigeria.
Other notable guests were former Chief of Staff to former President Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; Justice Ibrahim Musa of the Supreme Court, Business woman, Hajia Bola Shagaya; Sir Chijioke Emeka, Prof Jerry Gana, Senator Shehu Sani, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanni; Mr. Yomi Badejo, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Mr. Benjamin Adeniyi, Members of Estate Club 81, Mr. Ben Obi, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyan, who represented former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Mr. Yemi Akinseye George, John Omotosho, Justice of the Federal High Court, Mr. Muyiwa Atoyemi, Chairman, Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema; the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who was represented by three Chiefs and his attorney at law, the Iyase of Iyare kingdom, Chief Kanu Agabi, Mrs Aisha Achimugu as well as representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Alhaji Sai’d Abubakar among a long list of dignitaries.
The calibre of persons at the books launch explained the fact that the Akpakpa Vighi Vighi, who has dedicated his life to the advancement of justice, human rights advocacy, and the pursuit of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, has a solidified legacy as a thought leader, mentor and defender of democratic values and principles.
In remarks shortly after cutting his birthday day, and assisted by members of his family, close friends, associates and fellow lawyers, Ozekhome praised the candour exhibited by the two former presidents; Obasanjo and Jonathan, describing them as the best presidents Nigeria has ever produced. He went on to appreciate as many that turned up for the event, as well as the Almighty God, who saw “a poor village boy, running around naked to become a prominent lawyer”.
He traced his origin to his remote village, declaring that he owes everything he is today to the special grace of God.
The SAN went on to introduce all his wife, who he described as his girlfriend, and his seven children, who have already started a niche for themselves in the corporate world.
The occasion was rounded off with a documentary of Prof Ozekhome from back in the days to his present status.
THE AFTER-PARTY SOIREE AT OZEKHOME’S ASOKORO RESIDENCE
The birthday celebrations took a different turn on Saturday, October 19, 2024 when more and more dignitaries trooped to the classy residence of the celebrant on Number 1, Ozekhome Street, Asokoro, Abuja, for a time to share luxurious food and dance steps in an atmosphere of networking advantage.
Ozekhome, who could not contain his excitement at the show of love, danced unhindered, supported by his wife and children, five of whom are also lawyers while two are medical doctors.
Like the days earlier, notable dignitaries were on hand to celebrate with the birthday boy. Some of them were Mr. Tony Akiotu of the African Independent Television (AIT), Chairman, Daar Communications Limited, Raymond Dokpesi jnr.,
At the dinner, groups presented gifts to the celebrant including an ‘award of distinction to an iconic scholar and relentless crusader for social justice’.
Dressed in tight fitting Indian attire, Ozekhome, in his response, acknowledged that people know him as a constitutional lawyer, human rights activist and more, adding that he is also a guru in commercial law among others.
The long night was adlib to fade as music and dancing, continental and local dishes as well as choice beverages continued to deck the atmosphere.
THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION, ASOKORO
The birthday and 50 books launch activities came to a thunderous climax with a church Thanksgiving outing at the Catholic Church of the Assumption at the highbrow Asokoro, where family members and close friends and associates, in colorful uniform trooped out in solidarity to give thanks to the Almighty God.
Flanked on all sides by well wishers, a happy Ozekhome danced to the altar where the Reverend in Charge gave his blessings and Charge, for a more lucrative endeavor and impact on humanity.
The celebrations were punctuated with a final round of merriment at the SAN’s residence with local and continental dishes making unceasing rounds.
