Afe Babalola wins 2024 best Nigerian Patriot Award amid defamation allegations

Aare Afe Babalola, the Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has been honored with the 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot Award.

The recognition, conferred by the Association of United Nations Ambassadors for Peace, was communicated in a letter dated December 11, 2024, according to a statement released by ABUAD’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Tunde Olofintila, over the weekend.

This prestigious award comes amid controversy surrounding alleged defamation of the esteemed nonagenarian by human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

The letter co-signed on behalf of the association by the Ambassadors – Chairman, Selection Committee, Prof. Joseph Legend Mfon, Deputy Chair, Selection Committee, Prof. Mrs Lami Amodu, Global Director of Administration, Prof. Inah Eteng Okon H/E , Secretary General, Prof Barika Saro-Laka respectively was titled : ‘Approval of Nomination For Conferment of our Pioneer Merit Award Of 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot’s Award on Your Dignified Personality.’

The association stated that Babalola was qualified for the award because of salient qualities which include:“Detribalised nationalist whose impact of selfless activities is novel and thus cherished by leaders within Africa and beyond.”

The association stated that it “founded Afe Babalola & Company (Emmanuel chambers), a Legal Firm, reputed for grooming sound and seasoned lawyers across Nigeria.

“Let it be known to the world that we have approved the conferment of our pioneer merit award of 2024 Best Nigerian Patriot’s Award on your dignified icon, as a result of the quality and consistent points of merit you have posted in impacting the lives of humanity while improving the society in different sectors of the economy .

“You were nominated by Oba David Rotimi Adetiloye (Obanla Yoruba1),Gosa Community), Abuja FCT, and Professor AbiodunMicheal Ajibade, FICA, Founder, Horizon International University.
“In arriving at your choice, the entries of twenty other elderstatesmen were selected and compared while yours emerged as the best.

“As a mark of celebrating your perpetual honour and spreading the impact of your iconic figure, we shall fete 300 widows verified and registered under the National Association of Nigeria Widows(NANIWO) with Christmas Raw Food Packs/Ingredients and a Token Cash for Transport.”

The Association of the UN Ambassadors for Peace further indicated in the letter that the award ceremony would take place on January 9, 2025 at Labour House in Abuja by 11:00 am