Afe Babalola

Afe Babalola was in born 30 October 1929. He is a Nigerian lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University in Nigeria. Quotes When you work, it means you have faith in what you are doing. When you plant, you have faith that the plant will grow. Faith never fails. My friends are taught to believe that faith can cure the problems of this country. The legal luminary, however, lamented that with the coming of the military came the desecration of the education system. No idea is stupid; it is better carried out than ignored. The 1999 Constitution is, in large measure, responsible for the problems we have in Nigeria today. Arguing that Nigeria's constitutional framework has hindered national development. What Nigeria needs is a bill sponsored by the government, asking the Senate to pass a law for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference that the membership will be elected on zero party system. Advocating for a sovereign national conference to produce a people's constitution. It is only through a true federal constitution that transformational leaders can emerge and a true Nigeria nation can emerge from over the 300 nations in the country. Explaining why he believes true federalism is essential for Nigeria's future. The only business in this country today which is lucrative is politics. Lamenting the declining value placed on education compared to politics in Nigeria. I do not say you cannot be a politician but to be a politician is different from what we have now. Who thinks that politics is for making money? Politics is for service. Explaining that politics should be driven by public service rather than personal enrichment. I was a Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor before and I never had a kobo because I saw it as service. People go now to make money from public money given to them. Well, we are governed by a Constitution and under the Constitution, a man is presumed innocent until he is found guilty. Explaining why due process and the presumption of innocence must be respected. The National Judicial Council has the right to recall the judges accused of corruption because the court of law has not found them guilty. Defending the constitutional principle that allegations alone should not determine guilt. Reflecting on his own experience in public office while criticizing the misuse of public positions. Our problem in this country is leadership in Africa. People believe that when they come out of university, they should go and work or alternatively, go into politics. Discussing the impact of poor leadership on education and career aspirations. What we need in this country is quality education. When you have quality education, you have power and when you have power, every other thing submerges. Emphasizing that quality education is the foundation for national development and empowerment. Im not a politician. I have never picked the membership card of any political party and have never contested in any election. Clarifying his position on partisan politics despite his interest in national affairs. I'm a political animal. that every citizen should be interested in how they are governed I live among the people and should know how I'm governed. Explaining why he regularly comments on national issues despite not belonging to any political party If a man is not guilty, he would wear the gown of innocence. Reinforcing the presumption of innocence under the law You look at my own life history, you see that philosophy runs throughout my body. Explaining his lifelong philosophy of self-reliance and hard work I grew up on the farm, I was making 100 to 200 heaps before I went to school every day and I found myself to be a bridge between primitiveness and civilization. Recalling his humble upbringing and the challenges he overcame through determination I thank God, who has made it possible for me to live beyond 90 years. Reflecting on his longevity and expressing gratitude for a long life I can say without any fear of contradiction that being alive beyond 90 is the design of God and not my design. Acknowledging his belief that his long life is due to divine grace. I am a political animal. I am interested in who governs me. Explaining why he follows national politics despite not belonging to any political party I do not like to leave my work and engage in partisan politics. Explaining why he declined to participate in partisan politics It is the person who has the money that will win. Emphasizing the influence of financial resources on election results A man who wants to rule the whole country or any part of the country, ought to be screened. Has he ever worked before, what type of work did he do, did he steal there, was he a good manager, does he pay his taxes regularly, what contributions has he made to society? Calling for stricter standards in assessing candidates for public office It is not who can make a difference that will win this election, I repeat, it is not the person who has all it takes – age, health, education, and patriotism, that will win this election; the winner of this election I can bet it, is going to be the person who has made money in this country. Expressing concern that money, rather than merit, determines electoral outcomes in Nigeria You cannot just come from nowhere and become president, become governor, become member of house; these are transactional business men. Criticizing the quality of political leadership and the commercialization of politics I still stand by my suggestion that any election conducted under the present 1999 Constitution cannot and will not produce new leaders with new ideas, rather any election conducted with the 1999 Constitution will merely result in recycling people who have brought Nigeria to grinding poverty, unemployment, under-funded education, and insecurity. Arguing that constitutional reform is necessary for meaningful political change in Nigeria We have two-digit interest rates charged by banks today. Who is that businessman that will make a profit after paying 27 per cent on facilities he took from a bank? Criticizing high lending rates and their effect on businesses and manufacturing Manufacturers will continue to remain slaves to banks. Expressing concern over the burden of commercial bank lending on manufacturers Can you make 26 per cent profit in a year? Things don't work like that in other climes. Comparing Nigeria's lending environment with international best practices They have made politics to become so lucrative that the best thing to do is to join politics. Politics has become the only lucrative business in Nigeria, not manufacturing. Lamenting that politics has become more attractive than productive enterprise External links Category:1929 births Category:Living people