Aiyedatiwa canvasses stronger institutions for democracy
By Julius Alabi, Akure
Legal profession has been described as the guardian of constitutional order as Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State canvassed stronger institutions as the bedrock of democratic stability.
The governor, who spoke on Friday at the unveiling and commissioning of a Bar Centre donated to the Ondo Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ondo City, stressed the critical role of resilient institutions in sustaining democracy, preserving societal values and advancing justice.
Aiyedatiwa declared that enduring societies are built not merely on resources, but on institutions capable of transmitting knowledge and safeguarding civilisation across generations.
The Bar Centre, donated by prominent legal luminary, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, was described by the governor as more than a physical structure, noting that it symbolises intellectual discipline, professional excellence, institutional continuity, philanthropy and the enduring nobility of the legal profession.
According to him, the facility embodies “the timeless virtue of giving back to one’s profession and investing in the advancement of institutions that shape society.”
Commending Oyetibo, the governor described the gesture as an extraordinary display of generosity, vision and professional patriotism, adding that the senior advocate had chosen “the higher path of impact, responsibility and enduring service.”
“By personally building and donating this Bar Centre to the NBA Ondo Branch, he has not merely erected a structure; he has established a lasting monument to scholarship, professional solidarity and the advancement of justice,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa also lauded the leadership and members of the NBA Ondo Branch for sustaining institutional growth and professional development, emphasising that societies endure because they nurture institutions capable of preserving values.
“Today’s ceremony transcends brick and mortar. It is fundamentally a celebration of values. It is about honouring scholarship, rewarding integrity, immortalising excellence and affirming the timeless principle that distinction earned through service deserves enduring recognition,” he added.
The governor noted that every young lawyer who passes through the facility would encounter “a silent lesson in aspiration, discipline, integrity, learning and purposeful contributions to humanity.”
He described the legal profession as occupying “a sacred and indispensable position within every democratic society,” warning that democracy would gradually lose its moral foundation without a courageous and independent legal profession.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening legal institutions and democratic governance, Aiyedatiwa insisted that sustainable development could only thrive where justice remains accessible, rights are protected and institutions command public confidence.
He further described the NBA as “an important conscience of the nation” through its defence of constitutionalism, democratic values and constructive public discourse.
The governor urged younger lawyers to embrace excellence, expressing optimism that the Bar Centre would serve as “a sanctuary of learning, a citadel of professional advancement, a home for robust intellectual engagement and a beacon of justice for generations yet unborn.”
In his remarks, Oyetibo said the project was aimed at strengthening the legal profession and deepening the administration of justice, stressing that lawyers remain custodians of justice and defenders of the rule of law.
He added that investment in the welfare and working environment of lawyers amounts to investing in society, noting that the facility was designed to promote mentorship, professional development and unity within the profession.
Chairman of the occasion, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, commended the donor’s generosity and urged younger lawyers to sustain the ideals established by senior members of the Bar.
Also speaking, Justice of the Supreme Court, Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, appreciated the honour of dedicating the library in her name and announced the donation of Nigerian Weekly Law Reports spanning 2005 to 2026 to the facility.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the NBA Ondo Branch, Henry Idowu Akingbesote, described the project as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration, symbolising unity, sacrifice and commitment to the rule of law.
Delivering a lecture at the event, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, urged Nigerian lawyers to embrace technology, defend democratic institutions and reinvent the profession to remain relevant.
Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Adesoji Afolabi; the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo; justices of the Court of Appeal, High Court judges, and members of the legal profession, among others.
