First northern Nigerian SAN, J. B. Majiyagbe dies
Former world president of Rotary International and Elder Statesman Chief JB Majiyagbe, SAN is Dead.
A family source told SOLACEBASE that the legal luminary died Saturday morning at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.
Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe (OFR), 89, became the first lawyer practising in northern Nigeria to be elevated to the rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1980.
After settling in Kano in the 1970s, he became a doyen of the legal profession in the state.
In a tribute on Saturday, Wahab Shittu, SAN described the departed lawyer as a towering international figure of uncommon stature and pedigree.
Read the full Tribute below
EXIT OF CHIEF JB MAJIYAGBE SAN: LAWYER- STATESMAN/ FORMER WORLD PRESIDENT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL.
The passage this morning of Chief JB Majiyagbe SAN, extraordinary lawyer, Elderstateman and former president World Rotary International, indeed is our collective loss, and heaven’s gain.
As the Quintessential Gentleman reunites with the saints, we mourn.
In Kano state where he held sway and indeed in the entirety of Northern states of Nigeria, the dominant name on every lips was ” Majiyagbe”. He was every lawyer ‘s delight -decent, carriage, eloquent, organised, urbane, friendly, accessible, elegant, classy, style and Quintessential. He ran perhaps the best organised law Chambers in the entire Northern states.
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On no 1 club Road, there was no mistaken the towering Chambers, and close to the edifice is his residence, also built to excellent taste.He would simply stroll into his Chambers from his residence with such air of simplicity, magnificence and uncommon style.
A visitor or client to the Chambers will not fail to notice the small inscription at the entrance. It reads
” THANKS” is such a little word.Not bigger than a minute,but there is a world of meaning and appreciation in it”
This reflected the worldview of the departed extraordinary lawyer as a man of Gratitude and Appreciation.
He treated all with uncommon courtesies. Indeed he mentored a number of prominent lawyers ,some of whom are renowned senior Advocates of Nigeria today. I can mention names.
Chief Emmanuel Ayodele SAN, Yemi candide- Johnson SAN, Soji oyeleke SAN,and yours sincerely since l also served internship at his sprawling Chambers at some point in my carrear.-and many others. I may have lost count.
The departed lawyer was a mentor par Excellence. What of the late lawyer’s impeccable dress sense? Whether in immaculate suits or flowing Agbada, the late Elderstatesman lawyer was a delight in decency and carriage.
He was a man of style and panache.
Really Quintessential and decent.
He treats and spoke to all with uncommon courtesies.
He was a real human being.
Rotary International worldwide will miss its former lnternational president.
He devoted his life to service in the finest traditions of Rotarians.
His worldview was consistent with the Rotarian four- way test, thus
Is it the truth?
Is it beneficial to all concerned?
Will it bring goodwill and peaceful co- existence to all concerned? etc.
These ROTARY’s four- way tests defined the life of the departed extraordinary lawyer.
A highly detrabalized Nigerian, JB , as he was fondly called was at home with all tribes- Hausa, Yoruba, lbo , Fulani,Efik, Edo and all, and he related and dealth with all without discrimination. You will find all as employees in his flourishing members.
Late JB Majiyagbe spoke almost all languages in Nigeria and was as fluent in Hausa as in the yoruba language .
The Elder statesman courted the local and the international community, widely travelled with extensive networks.
He was an international figure.
He left behind worthy legacies including his only son, Mustapha Majiyagbe SAN – a senior Advocate of Nigeria.
A man of extraordinary taste, finesse and excellent manners, the likes of the departed Quintessential lawyer are not made like that anymore.
Indeed , it can be said in honour of the eminent silk , Quintessential Gentleman and Elderstatesman that “Life levels all men, Death reveals the Eminent”
Adieu, Chief JB Majiyagbe SAN, a towering international figure of uncommon stature and pedigree.
Wahab Shittu SAN
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