Ondo at 50: Iralepo of Isinkan commends state govt for honouring late Jurist, Akinola Aguda

The Iralepo of Isinkan, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barrister) Oluwagbemiga Olofin-Adimula, Arulewolasi III, has lauded the Ondo State Government for the honour accorded the late eminent jurist and prince of Isinkan Kingdom, Justice Akinola Aguda.

In a congratulatory message, the monarch congratulated the Aguda family on the recognition bestowed on their illustrious son during the Ondo @ 50 Golden Jubilee celebration by the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

Oba Olofin-Adimula described the honour as a well-deserved tribute to a distinguished son of the soil whose outstanding contributions to law and justice earned Ondo State and Nigeria global recognition.

The royal father noted that the life and career of Prince Akinola Aguda exemplified intellectual brilliance, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice, adding that his legacy continues to inspire generations within and beyond the legal profession.

He commended the Ondo State Government for using the Golden Jubilee celebration to honour worthy sons and daughters whose legacies have stood the test of time, describing the gesture as a significant step towards preserving the state’s history and celebrating excellence.

Late Justice Akinola Aguda, a prince of Isinkan Kingdom, was one of Nigeria’s most accomplished jurists and legal scholars of international repute.

He served as Chief Justice of the Western State of Nigeria and was the first Chief Judge of the newly created Ondo State. He also chaired the committee that recommended the location of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja in 1976.

To date, the Vice-Presidential Lodge in Abuja bears his name as Akinola Aguda House. He was also the first indigene of Ondo State to receive the Nigerian National Merit Award in 1985.

Justice Aguda was later honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) in recognition of his immense contributions to the growth and development of Ondo State and Nigeria.

He made history as the first Nigerian to serve as Chief Justice of another African country following his appointment as Chief Justice of Botswana in 1972.

Widely respected for his contributions to constitutional law, international law, and jurisprudence, Justice Aguda was also a prolific scholar whose writings remain reference materials across jurisdictions.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, the late jurist was regarded as a symbol of discipline, intellectual rigour, and national pride, whose influence transcended generations.

The Iralepo prayed that the Aguda family would continue to draw strength from the enduring legacy of their patriarch and urged the people of Isinkan Kingdom and Ondo State to uphold the values of honour, diligence, and service to humanity which Justice Akinola Aguda so nobly exemplified.