Osinbajo at 64: A gentleman’s gentleman

BY WAHAB SHITTU

Today prof Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo SAN,GCON, the vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clocks 64 years.This Quintessential professor of Law,with speciality in the Law of Evidence is also an eminent Senior Advocate of Nigeria as well pastor of the Redeemed Church of God.

Significantly he serves today as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The birthday celebration of this extraordinary Nigerian endowed with uncommon talents and rare administrative abilities ought to be celebrated for a number of unique reasons.First the celebrant is a statesman. He has demonstrated this trait since the inception of this Administration in terms of loyalty to Nigeria and his boss,the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, president Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.The celebrant is a huge lesson in Loyalty and this trait stands him out.However, the unquestionable loyalty of the celebrant is not the only traits that makes the celebrant unique.lndeed Lee Ellis perhaps had the celebrant in mind when he formulated his honour code of 7 core behaviours for Honourable leadership. First the celebrant tells the truth even when it is difficult to do so.

He is a man of sterling integrity and honesty.The celebrant avoids duplicity and deceitful behaviour. Secondly, many will readily attest to the fact that the celebrant treats others with dignity and respect “. He is infact the hallmark of humility, decency and compassion. The celebrant takes the lead and show value to others.I can also confirm that the celebrant keeps his word and commitments. He is absolutely reliable and relatable.Undoubtedly, the celebrant is ethically- driven. He served as ethics advisor to a multinational agency before his assumption of office as the Vice- president.

As former Attorney General of Lagos state, the celebrant insisted on ethical standards and initiated far reaching reforms in the justice delivery sector- reforms copied and replicated in many states of the federation to our collective delight and efficient justice sector delivery.The celebrant operates within the laws of the land and guidelines of the legal profession. He is an exemplar of ethical behaviour.

The celebrant is known to respect rules and procedures and will never deviate from the policies of this Administration. The other core trait of the celebrant is that he acts responsibly .He takes his duties seriously and places high priority on transparency and accountability. Significantly, the celebrant is courageous with force of his conviction.

He is on record as doing whatever is right even when it feels unnatural or uncomfortable. The celebrant does not shy away from taking necessary actions as an astute technocrat and administrator.perhaps one fundamental and unique trait of the celebrant is his deep spirituality. He is a man of deep core values. The celebrant is a God fearing man .This fundamental trait particularly his relationship with God he has brought into the Governance of this country since he assumed office as the Vice president.

A calm, reserved, cool, collected and patient Gentleman, the celebrant indeed is the personification of Goodness. Today as professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON,Vice president of Nigeria clocks 64, here is proposing a toast to a Good man, an excellent Administrator ,a man of deep intellect , a cerebral scholar, a loyal man to the core and a Quintessential Gentleman. Happy birthday, my evergreen Teacher,mentor and an inspirational leader.
Many Happy returns sir.

Shittu is a legal practitioner and law lecturer at the University of Lagos