Pius Nsabe
The 78th birthday of Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, has become more than a personal milestone; it is a national moment of tribute to a man whose life has been defined by the law, by service, and by humanity. From the courtroom to the corridors of power, from the intimacy of friendship to the dignity of public office, Awomolo has been hailed as a mentor, a statesman, and an enduring beacon of hope.
For Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, SAN, Life Bencher, C.Arb, the celebration of Awomolo’s life is deeply personal. Their journey began in 1997, when Gadzama met the senior silk during a pre-election matter at the Federal High Court, Maiduguri. “Since then,” Gadzama recalled, “our friendship has blossomed and grown into what I now treasure as one of the most meaningful relationships of my life.”
That relationship has been tested and deepened over the years. Awomolo was there at joyous moments, such as when he chaired the wedding of Gadzama’s son, Madu. He was also present in moments of grief, offering comfort during the dark period when Gadzama lost his wife, Janada, to the insurgency in Borno. Later, he stood by him again at his nuptials in 2020 and 2024. “He has been more than a friend,” Gadzama wrote. “He has been a father figure, a confidant, and a source of wisdom and encouragement.”
Professionally, Awomolo’s influence has been immense. Gadzama described him as “a fearless advocate whose interventions have enriched Nigeria’s constitutional and electoral jurisprudence.” He is remembered as a mentor to younger lawyers and as a leader who never failed to uphold the dignity of the silk. Beyond the courtroom, his role in helping resolve the Nigerian Bar Association’s leadership crisis of the 1990s is still remembered. For many, he became the “Ernest Shonekan” of the Bar — the consensus builder who restored stability.
Awomolo’s record in public office is equally significant. As the first Attorney General of Osun State, his tenure left a lasting mark. More recently, as Chairman of the Body of Benchers, he pushed through reforms that strengthened the institution, building structures that will endure long after his exit.
For Gadzama, Awomolo’s marriage to Chief Victoria Awomolo, SAN represents another of his legacies. “Together, they form a partnership that is a rare blessing to the legal profession,” he said. “They are two silks united not just by marriage, but by shared vision and commitment.”
The tribute was not without personal colour. Gadzama recalled visiting Awomolo’s hometown of Igbajo in Osun State, where he was given a traditional hand bell. “To this day, I use that hand bell in my office meetings. Each time I ring it, I am reminded of the humility, thoughtfulness, and cultural pride of a man whose greatness lies not only in his legal accomplishments but also in his humanity.”
“Sir,” he concluded warmly, “at 78, your life remains a testament to resilience, faith, and dedication—to the Bar, to your family, to justice, and to all of us who are privileged to call you friend. I pray that Almighty God grant you many more years of sound health, wisdom, and peace.”
From the political and corporate world also came glowing tributes. Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and frontline APC governorship aspirant in Osun State, described Awomolo as “a beacon of hope and paragon of inspiration.”
Oyebamiji lauded Chief Awomolo’s relentless efforts and avowed commitment to the growth and development of the nation’s legal profession and judicial system.
Oyebamiji in a congratulatory message, acknowledged Chief Awomolo’s imprints, indelible landmarks and proven achievements in the nation’s legal profession, describing him as a beacon of hope and paragon of inspiration to young minds aspiring legal attainments.
“It is with a heart filled with excitement and good wishes that I celebrate our father, mentor and seasoned legal figure whose impeccable track record remain unmatchable, unsurpassable and inimitable.
“On behalf of my family and the entire AMBO Movement, I heartily rejoice with and join family and friends of our classical legal icon, Barrister Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN on the occasion of his 78th birthday. As a thoroughbred professional and legal mind of repute, Chief Awomolo’s relentless efforts in advancing the cause of the legal profession, judicial system, dispensation and adjudication of justice can not be measured.
“As you celebrate a prosperous year today, I pray Almighty God continue to endow you with more wisdom, strengthen you, increase you in intellect and enablement as many of us continue to tap from your repository of knowledge and wealth of experience. I wish you a long life and prosperity. Congratulations, Sir”, Oyebamiji prayed.
As the tributes pour in, the image that emerges of Adegboyega Awomolo is not simply that of a legal titan, but of a man whose presence has brought comfort to friends, stability to institutions, pride to his community, and inspiration to generations of lawyers. At 78, he is celebrated as much for his humanity as for his jurisprudence, and as much for his friendship as for his service.