ACCEPTANCE/APPRECIATION SPEECH BY PROF. YUSUF ALI, SAN, FCIArb, FNIALS, FCTI, 1ST KULIYA GARI OF ILORIN ON BEHALF OF MR. PAUL ODILI, MR. EMMANUEL AYUBA IZA AND HIMSELF ON THE CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DEGREES AT THE 29TH  & 30TH COMBINED CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA (NOW YAKUBU GOWON UNIVERSITY ABUJA) ON 18TH APRIL, 2026.

“Say: O Allah!

Lord of power, (Rule)

Thou givet power

To whom you thou pleasest,

And Thou strippest off power

From whom Thou pleasest

Thou endues with honour

Whom Thou pleasest

And Thou Bringest low

Whom Thou pleasest:

In Thy hand is all Good

Verily, over all things

Thou hast power!!”

QURAN CHAPTER 3 VERSE 26.

Protocol

The Visitor to the University, The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, Distinguished Members of the Governing Council, Esteemed Members of Senate and Academic Board, Members of the Academic and Non-Academic Staff, Graduands, Distinguished Guests, Members of the forth estate of the Realm, Ladies and Gentlemen.

“There is no limit to what Allah Can do”

I stand before you today on behalf of Messrs Paul Odili, Emmanuel Ayuba Iza and Myself with profound humility, deep gratitude, and abiding sense of honour as we accept the conferment of Honorary Degrees by this great Institution, University of Abuja a.k.a Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, on the three of us.

We receive these honours with full consciousness of the weight and significance. Such recognition is not merely a celebration of personal attainments; it is, more importantly, a solemn call to greater responsibility, deeper reflection, and renewed service.

We therefore consider these honours not merely as personal distinction, but a weighty responsibility, placed upon us by a University that stands for excellence.

Scholarship, Character, and National Aspiration.

We sincerely thank the Governing Council, for this kind gesture, particularly for its approval at the 83rd Extra-Ordinary Meeting, following the recommendation of the Senate. We are equally grateful to the entire University Community, Management, Staff, and Students for finding us worthy of this distinction.

Reflections on Law, Service, and Jurisprudence.

On a personal note, as a Legal Practitioner, I have long believed that law is not merely a profession, it is a calling. It is a disciplined and noble instrument for the pursuit of justice, the protection of rights, the defence of the vulnerable, and the ordering of society on the basis of justice, fairness and reason.

My passion has consistently been rooted in the expansion of welfare, jurisprudence and the continuous development of legal thought to meet the evolving realities of society. The law must never be static. It must grow, adapt, and respond to the needs of the people.

In a Country such as ours, with its many complexities and challenges, the role of the legal profession is especially critical. The law must remain a shield for the weak, a restraint upon arbitrariness, and a framework for peaceful coexistence and National development.

The great American jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., once observed that “the life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience.” That observation resonates deeply with me. My journey in the law, through the courtroom, the classroom, and public service, has reinforced the truth that law, at its finest, is not a cold instrument of power, but a humane and civilising force.

My years of service, including my role as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Osun State University, Osogbo, and as Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria, have further strengthened my conviction, that education and law are inseparable pillars of National development.

On Giving Back and Investing in People.

On behalf of my other two colleagues, we believe that whatever we achieve in life, finds its highest meaning when it is used in the service of others. This belief has guided our modest efforts in supporting the education of younger Nigerians across the country.

Education remains the most powerful instrument for breaking the cycle of poverty and for building a just and equitable society.

To whom much is given, much is expected. These honours, therefore, reinforce our commitment to continue investing in human capital development, particularly in empowering young people, through education and mentorship.

Message to Graduating Students.

To the graduating students, we extend our warmest congratulations.

You stand today at the threshold of great possibilities. However, your degrees are not mere symbols of academic achievement; they are instruments of responsibility.

The society you are stepping into, requires more than intelligence, it requires integrity, courage, and commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult or not fashionable.

Do not measure success solely by material acquisition. Measure it by impact, by the lives you touch, the problems you solve, and the values you uphold.

Let me share with you the words of Zig Ziglar, the motivational Speaker, in his master piece titled “Steps to the Top” when he said:

“Be persistent, be hopeful and work hard toward your dream. Persistency, dedication, hope and hard work might not sound very glamorous, but they are the ingredients necessary to take you out of mediocrity and make your dreams come true.”

Admonition and Advice to the University.

At this juncture, we will like, to offer few thoughts to this great University.

First, the University must continue to lead in the expansion of knowledge and jurisprudence. It must encourage critical thinking, original research, and intellectual courage.

Second, it must remain committed to excellence and discipline. Standards must not be compromised. The integrity of your degrees must remain unquestionable.

Third, there must be a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between the Academia and Society. Universities must actively engage with national issues and provide solutions.

Fourth, the University must prioritize staff and students welfare, while emphasizing character formation, leadership, and ethical values.

Finally, the University must strengthen partnerships with Alumni, Government, and the Private Sector. The Alumni body remains one of the greatest assets of any serious Institution.

Acknowledgements and Closing Reflections.

This recognition, though formally conferred on us today, belong in no small measure to the many individuals and institutions that have shaped our journeys.

We owe debt of gratitude to our Mentors, Colleagues, Associates, and Friends. We are especially indebted to our Families, whose unwavering support has been our anchor and pillar.

We are deeply mindful these honours come from an Institution that bears the name of Yakubu Gowon, whose legacy of reconciliation and National unity remains profoundly instructive.

We accept these honours with gratitude, humility, and renewed commitment to service, to continuous giving, advocacy and contribution to a society built on justice, equity, and opportunity for all.

POSTSCRIPT

At a personal level, Insha Allah from next session Yusuf Olaolu Ali Foundation will be awarding annually 10 Post-graduate Scholarships, for Students of Law, for the next 10 years. The Foundation will work out the details and modalities with the Authority of the University.

May Yakubu Gowon University continue to flourish in excellence. May the legal profession remain a pillar of justice and hope. May Almighty Allah in HIS infinite mercy continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you and God bless you all……………………………..

Reports and pictures:

Abdulfattah and Abdullahi in Abuja