Bola Ajibola College of Law (BACOLAW), Crescent University, Abeokuta, organized a reception to honour its former staff and welcomed new staff. on Friday, 28th February 2025. The College has established the tradition of honouring former staff of the college who served the institution meritoriously and without blemish for not less than twelve months. The event, held at the BACOLAW Staff Common Room. It was a blend of celebration and reflection as the college community gathered to appreciate the contributions of these esteemed former staff while formally receiving and welcoming the new staff of the college.
The honourees included Professor Nasiru Tijani, who served the college and the university on sabbatical from the Nigerian Law School from 4th August 2023 to 21st August 2024; Justice Semiu Oloyede Oyediran who was a lecturer in the college from 20th October 2018 to 22nd November 2024 when he left to take up appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Oyo State, Taofeek Nasir Alatise, Esq who was a lecturer in the college from 10th of May 2021 to 29th of February 2024 when he left to take up appointment t with the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin. Also honoured was Mrs Saidat Omotoyosi Ogunseye who served the college from 16th September 2019 soon after her National Youth Service in the college to 12th of July 2024. She served as Secretary of the Department of Commercial and Property Law and later as Secretary to the Dean of Law before her transfer to the Office of the University Bursar. Each of the honourees left indelible marks on the college during their service. In the same vein, the college used the opportunity to welcome new staff who recently joined the college. The new staff are Mrs. Modupe Banmeke, Jamiu Amoo Esq, Miss Zainab Mojisola Oniyide (a first class alumnus of the college), and Miss Hameedah Olanrewaju who is in the college for the mandatory national youth service.
In his remarks, the Dean of the College of Law, Professor Momodu Kassim-Momodu, expressed profound gratitude to the honourees for their unwavering service, commitment, and dedication to the growth of the institution. He acknowledged that while the college was saddened to see them leave, their departures were for higher callings and greater opportunities. “I want to personally thank you for the level of dedication and hard work that you put in while you were with us on sabbatical service. We deeply appreciate your leadership in teaching, research and mentoring during your time with us. You were a valuable addition to our team. We will always remember your role in the preparation of the curriculum of our LL.M programmes and the history of postgraduate studies in BACOLAW will not be complete without highlighting the role you played in the drafting the curricular of the different LL.M programmes,” he said to Prof. Nasiru Tijani.
The dean recounted how he first met Justice Oloyede Oyediran during an NBA function in Kano and how he promptly notice the qualities he exuded and convinced him to join the college in 2019. He expressed to him and Taofeek Nasir Alatise the gratitude of the college for their excellence in leadership, teaching, mentoring and research during their time in the college. The dean also expressed appreciation of the college to Mrs Saidat Ogunseye for her service to the college and wished her well in her new post at the University Bursary Department
The dean warmly welcomed the new members of staff to the college and enjoined them to emulate the former staff being honoured and to contribute their best to the development of the college and the university and their respective careers.
The event also provided an opportunity for members of the college community to extol the virtues of the former staff. Colleagues shared touching anecdotes, highlighting the honourees’ professionalism, mentorship, good heart, and impact on both academic and administrative fronts.
Professor Nasiru Tijani, in his response, expressed his gratitude to the college and the university for the opportunity to serve, for the recognition and the warm reception. He reminisced about his time at the college, describing it as a fulfilling experience and pledging to maintain a strong relationship with the institution. Justice Oloyede Oyediran while thanking members of the college for the thoughtful reception noted that his stay at the college of law in part contributed to his emergence as a judge of the Oyo state High Court and will assist him in his new assignment. The expressed deep appreciation to the Dean of Law for the role he has played in making him what he is today.
Mrs. Saidat Ogunseye also expressed her deep appreciation for the unexpected and surprise recognition and honour.
The reception was not only a farewell but also a celebration of the enduring bonds forged within the BACOLAW community. It underscored the college’s commitment to honouring excellence and fostering a culture of appreciation for its staff.
As the event concluded, attendees reflected on the enduring legacy of the former staff and the bright future ahead for both the honourees and the Bola Ajibola College of Law.
