A celebration was held at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, to mark Prof. Bayo Adaralegbe's elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and his 64th birthday. The event brought together prominent figures from the legal, political, academic, and corporate sectors, as well as family members, to honour Adaralegbe's contributions to legal practice, scholarship, and mentorship. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, a retired Supreme Court Justice, chaired the occasion.
Justice Rhodes-Vivour congratulated Adaralegbe on his elevation, describing it as a product of hard work and God's grace. He recalled their professional relationship dating back to Adaralegbe's days at Wale Babalakin & Co., when he was a judge of the Lagos State High Court. Rhodes-Vivour expressed surprise at Adaralegbe's involvement in academia, saying he had not realised when the lawyer ventured into academic pursuits.
Dr. Wale Babalakin, a senior lawyer who employed Adaralegbe in 1991, described him as a dependable lawyer, outstanding scholar, and remarkable advocate. Babalakin recalled Adaralegbe's transformation from a shy young associate into an accomplished legal practitioner over their 34 years together. He expressed pride in Adaralegbe's achievements and described him as a reliable professional who gave his best to every assignment entrusted to him.
Babalakin shared a humorous account of an assignment involving a prominent Nigerian businessman and his estranged wife, which showcased Adaralegbe's skills and professionalism. He wished Adaralegbe success as he continued his career independently, expressing confidence in his ability to build a successful practice. Adaralegbe was the 10th or 11th Senior Advocate to emerge from Babalakin & Co., and Babalakin hoped that more lawyers from the firm would attain the prestigious rank.
The celebrant's wife, Eleanor, expressed gratitude to guests for attending despite their demanding schedules and the heavy traffic in Lagos. She said the gathering was not merely about celebrating her husband's elevation to SAN but also about recognising God's faithfulness throughout his professional journey. Eleanor thanked friends and associates who travelled from different locations to celebrate with the family.
Adaralegbe expressed gratitude to God and everyone who attended, describing the occasion as a double celebration of his birthday and conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He said the two milestones were particularly significant to him, adding that the gathering marked the first time he had deliberately organised a celebration for his birthday. Adaralegbe's daughter, Ifeoluwa Oduntan, also paid tribute to him, describing him as a present and attentive father.
The event was attended by several notable figures, including former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; Justice Lateefah Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court; Justice Yinka Adeniyi of the National Industrial Court, Abuja; Seplat executive, Larry Ettah; MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola; and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina.
Key points
- Prof. Bayo Adaralegbe was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
- The celebration was attended by prominent figures from the legal, political, academic, and corporate sectors.
- Adaralegbe's 64th birthday was also celebrated during the event.
