A torrent of condolence messages still poured in for the family of the Ibadan-born Second Republic Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akintola as prominent Nigerians described the deceased in glowing terms.
In his condolence, Ajimobi said Akinjide was a pride of Ibadan land.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by his Media Adviser, Mr. Tunji Bolaji, Ajimobi who is the Deputy Chairman(South ) of All Progressives Congress (APC),said:”I received with great sadness the transition of a legal luminary and an illustrious son of Ibadanland, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide.
“Though he died at an advanced age of 88 years, his death still came as a rude shock to me and many other Nigerians who heard about it.
“As a legal icon, he was the pride of Ibadan and the Nigerian society, proving his worth at different legal fora.
“As a nationalist, he gave his best to the world of legal practice and the best came back to him in terms of recognition. He was indisputably recognized as a brilliant jurist and was deservedly accorded the honour. He was Queens Counsel (QC), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a life bencher who brought his wealth of experience to the Nigerian Bar.
“As a statesman, he served his country diligently being Minister of Education in the first Republic and in the second republic, he was the Chief Legal Officer. Chief Akinjide would forever be remembered for his contribution to the body of knowledge in the legal profession with some prominent lawyers of today taking tutelage by his feet.
“As we fervently pray for the repose of his soul, we are consoled by the fact that his legacies of good works will continue to live on after him. In the words of former American President, Abraham Lincoln, “In the end it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years”.
In his tribute, Chief Adeniyi Akintola said Akinjide was last man standing.
Speaking with The Guardian in Ibadan , Chief Akintola said Akinjide’s wisdom and experience could not be quantified.
He said Chief Akinjide was a father, model and leader.
Chief Akintola said:”First and foremost,I commiserate with his family.
His wealth of experience cannot be quantified. We are going to miss him both at the Bar and at local level in Ibadan. He was an Ibadan High Chief. He was a community leader. We ,his legal family ,are going to miss him. He was a father. He was a leader. He was a role model.
“He was the last man standing before Independence to the Second Republic. No one could have asked for a better life than that of Chief Akinjide. He was a two-time minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was the longest NBA (Nigerian Bar Association) President. He was Chairman of Body of Benchers. He was Chairman of Council of Legal Education”.
