A Paper Presented by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kannike, SAN, FCArb, FCE, FCIAP, Dean, Faculty Of Law, Kwara State University, Malete, Via Ilorin, Kwara State, at the grand finale of NANS, KWARA STATE Entrepreneurship Contest In Honour Of Late Abdulganiyu Folorunsho Abdulrazaq, SAN, OFR, ON 3/9/2020 AT Kwara Hotel, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Tel No: 08033256756
E-Mail address: amudakannikeabiodun@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
It is important to first of all, ask the question; “who was Alhaji A.G.F Abdulrazaq, SAN, OFR?” “A.G.F” as he was popularly called, was AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdulrazaq who was born on 13th day of November, 1927 and he died on the 25th day of July, 2020, spending 93 years in this world.[1]
The Legend AGF, referred to above, was born in the famous town of Onitsha in Anambra State of Nigeria. His mother was “Hajia Munirat” while his father was “Abdulrazaq”. Their family house is at Yerinsa Quarters of Ilorin, close to “Adewole” but also popularly called “Idi-Igba”.[2]
He attended the United African School popularly called “United” which said education commenced in the year 1935 until he left in 1936 but to give his education a continuous boost, he enrolled in the year 1938 as a student at CMS Central School, at the city of Onitsha where he was born and completed his primary education in 1943. In his desire for further education, he commenced his secondary education at Kalabari National College, Buguma, now Rivers State from 1944 to 1945 before moving back to Onitsha where he attended the reknown “African College, Onitsha” from 1945 to 1947. In 1948, he gained admission to the University College, Ibadan (Now University of Ibadan) as one of the institution’s pioneer student. He concluded his education at University College Ibadan, and thereafter he proceeded to Britain where he got his master’s degree in history, post graduate Diploma in education and degree in law, LL.B he was called to the Bar in February, 1955 before I was born.[3]
Let me raise the question again; “Who was A.G.F Abdulrazaq”? This you can also find below;
i. He was a Mentor among Mentors.
ii. He was an Ilorin man among Ilorin Men.
iii. He was a Lawyer among Lawyers.
iv. He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria among Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
v. He was a family man among family men.
vi. He was a Philanthropist among Philanthropists.
vii. He was an educationist among educationists.
viii. He was a Nigerian among Nigerians.
ix. He is always striving to be first among people who crave to be first.
x. He was a record breaker among record breakers.
xi. He was religious but not fanatical.
xii. He was Abdulrazaq after Abdulrazaq.
xiii. He was a Special creation of God Almighty.
All this attributes and many more shall be dissected in course of this work hereinafter.
The nest question is; “What is a legacy”? The simple answers to this question are; Legacy is about life and living. It’s about learning from the past. Living in the present and building for the future.[4]
In law, a legacy is something that someone gets by inheritance or by a will. In historical terms, a legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. It is often time referred to as something handed down from an Ancestor or predecessor.[5]
In loose terms, it can be described as what an individual, a country or civilization can leave behind for citizens such as idea that will be remembered for a long time.[6] It is to be pronounced “Leh guh see” and not as “Le ga cy” or “Le ga ci”.[7]
The next question is; what is lesson? Lesson has been defined as a period of time in which someone is taught a particular skill. It can also be seen as a period of time in which school students are taught a particular subject. It is equally seen as something that provides experience or information that you can learn from and be utilized.[8]
Future Generations connote what? Future Generations are generations of people to come in future after the currently living generations of humans. The past generations are different from current generations, while the future generations are generations yet to come on board.[9]
These are other words for “future generation” as can be deduced as follows;[10]
i. Children – descendants
ii. Future – generations to come
iii. Heirs – Later generations
iv. Posterity – Successors
v. Years to come – those to come after us
vi. The future – Succeeding generation
vii. Offspring – Issue
viii. Seed – Progency
ix. Family – Scions
x. Fruit – Spawn
xi. Get – Lineage
xii. Unborn – Next generation
xiii. Progeniture – Breed
xiv. Brood – Stock
A.G.F ABDULRAZAQ, SAN, OFR LEGACIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
I must quickly point out that notwithstanding the fact that the definitions of “Future generations” seems to exclude you and I, but in a broad spectrum, anyone who tends to associate with successes, which includes many of us, will say, “well, it is not the turn of our generation” because we did not destroy the country or “the older generation did well for our country” or put in another way, people tend to say “this generation of youths are too corrupt, morally bankrupt and lazy”. The question is; “how about children in the primary schools, secondary schools and universities who are not working yet?” Are they of this generation or future generation? This debate will continue if we continue to probe into the concept of future generations critically. What is now important for us, is to look at Late A.G.F Abdulrazaq Legacies which we, the living and children yet unborn can emulate in order to succeed[11]. The legacies of this great man are described below.
ABDULRAZAQ AND THE PROTECTION OF HIS FAMILY NAME
A good person, regardless of which family he comes from, must not destroy the name of his or her family. From what we know about this great man, his mother and father were hardworking, which led them to be at Onitsha where he was born. He did not misbehave by joining bad gangs, fraudsters and other social miscreants. If he had done so, would he have been a great man to emulate today? Certainly, the family name would have been destroyed. Am sorry to say this but in Ilorin today, if your surname is “Abdulrazaq” it is better to look for additional surname unless you are related or part of this Abdulrazaq as there exist only one surname “Abdulrazaq” at Ilorin, the other ones are “Abdulrazaqs”.[12]
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. Drug abuse is bad.
ii. There is need to avoid associating with bad friends and social miscreants.
iii. Good behaviours will bring successes in life.
iv. You can carve out a brand name for yourself in life whether your family already has a brand name or not.
ABDULRAZAQ AND RELIGION
There exist no doubt that the Late A.G.F Abdulrazaq was a devoted Muslim and he was from a Muslim background and a Muslim community. He practiced his religion till he died. In fact he died as a Muslim. One important thing we must remember is that he loved people of other religions,[13] he has many friends among them, he was not a fanatic nor a pretender. He contributed both financially and physically in the propagation of Islam.
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. It is important to put God Almighty first in all your affairs.
ii. It is part of your religious practices to associate very well with other people of other religion without loosing your own religion.
iii. It is important to inculcate the habit of religious tolerance.
iv. There is no need for religious discrimination.
v. There should be no religious war, destruction of lifes and properties.
vi. There should be no cultism as no religion accept cultism as a religion or as a way of life.
vii. Religious intolerance constitutes abuse of human right as constitutionally guaranteed in the constitution.
A.G.F ABDULRAZAQ AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION
There exist no doubt that A.G.F Abdulrazaq was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and remained number 46 on the roll of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) having been conferred with this highest rank in the legal profession on the 31st day of July, 1985, and again he was the first on that list of those conferred with the title in 1985 and followed by Ladosu Ladapo, SAN (deceased), Clement O. Akpamgbo, SAN (deceased). These were the only three Nigerians in 1985 who[14] were conferred with this prestigious rank.[15] A.G.F Abdulrazaq was of the inner Temple, London, he was the first lawyer from the Northern part of Nigeria, he practiced the Legal Profession perfectly and brilliantly, he was always neat either in court or even outside the court. So many lawyers and judges went through his chambers to learn the rudiments of the law. He was at a time, the chairman of the Body of Benchers. He was the first National Legal Adviser of Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) on the eve of Nigeria’s independence, the position he held throughout the first Republic. So many cases were also handled and led by him. He practiced the Legal Profession in Kaduna, and Zaria first before moving the head office of his chambers to Lagos. He was actually a Legal Collosus.[16]
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. You can aspire to be the best in your profession and it will come to pass.
ii. It is important to be hardworking in your chosen profession.
iii. Don’t expect people to notice you as you are dedicated to your duties. It is natural that you will be noticed and appreciated sooner or later.
iv. Everyone among members of the Legal-profession will aspire to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, before their death, but only few will be made, SAN but you can aspire to be among the few.
v. Don’t ever give up in your aspiration to be successful.
vi. Always inculcate the habit of being neat always.
vii. Be humble always either in your profession or even in the public.
viii. Always exhibit discipline in your character.
ix. Don’t be too over-ambitious.
x. Be happy with others when they succeed, yours will come even better.[17]
ABDULRAZAQ AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Entrepreneurship is said to mean the introduction of new economic activity that will lead to change in the market places. This involves creating enterprises that shape practices in novel ways. Entrepreneurship is not just about innovation, but it involves the creation of products or services within a business model that embraces the inherent financial risks of success or failure of the enterprise. However, the term is a relative concept as no one acceptable definition can be found.[18]
The late A.G.F Abdulrazaq was an Entrepreneur per excellence and contributed in no small measure towards the promotion of entrepreneurship in Nigeria and that is why a good leader should always encourage and participate in entrepreneurship.[19]
Late A.G.F was a successful businessman, a successful lawyer, he was the president of Nigerian Stock Exchange, from 2000 – 2003 and vice president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 1983 – 2000. He was very rich but did not steal, he was self-satisfied with what God gave him, his businesses did not collapse till he died.
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. Being an Entrepreneur is important to survive in businesses.
ii. You need to be ready to make sacrifices, and be hardworking to be a successful entrepreneur.
iii. A good leader must be involved in institutions that will encourage entrepreneurial development.
iv. A good entrepreneur will train so many entrepreneurs and his family about entrepreneurship.
v. There are various aspect of entrepreneurship and everyone has a part to play.
ABDULRAZAQ AND POLITICS
The Late A.G.F Abdulrazaq practiced politics but his politics was without bitterness or archaic behaviours. No wonder, till tomorrow, as far as Ilorin community are concerned, he was the best politician when examined without sentiment. He was a member of Federal Parliament from 1964 to 1966 as the Federal Cabinet Minister of State for Transport.[20]
He was one of the those Young and educated Nigerians who joined with the elderly nationalists to secure independence for Nigeria in 1960. He also became Nigerian Ambassador to Cote D’Ivore, where he met the Father of Late Olushola Saraki or put it in another way, where he met the Grandfather of the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki. He was the engine room of the successive Northern Nigerian delegates to the National conferences towards Nigeria independence.
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. If you participate in politics, there exists possibility of being a good politician.
ii. Its necessary that your focus in politics should not be how to amass wealth but how to serve your country and humanity.
iii. It is good to be honest as a leader.
iv. There is need to have compassion.
v. There is the need to have integrity.
vi. There is the need to have confidence.
vii. There is the need for flexibility and ability to have common ground.
ABDULRAZAQ AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Late A.G.F Abdulrazaq, was a community builder, the entire Ilorin and Kwara State till today ought to be grateful to this man who helped in the creation of Kwara State and the approval of Ilorin as the state capital. He played a leading role at the various constitutional conferences and commission of enquiry which was later set up to ensure that both Ilorin and Kabba Provinces remains part of the Northern Nigeria. He contributed to the development of Northern Nigeria. He contributed to the creation of Moro and Asa Local Government Areas.[21]
He handled and commenced the popular case of Saraki Vs Kotoye 1990 LPELR SC page 174 and 1990 NWLR (pt 144) page 281 in order to protect the interest of the Late Olushola Saraki (Oloye). He was equally, the first Commissioner of Finance for Kwara State after the state was formed in 1967 under General Yakubu Gowon administration, and he later became, commissioner of Health and Social Welfare. He built Ilorin College, Ilorin, (ICI) when he saw that Ilorin community members were being denied admission into secondary schools.
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. You must place yourself and be ready to serve your country, your state and your community selflessly.
ii. Without stealing government money or community funds, you can still be rich and be successful in life.
iii. Be ready to serve your people even when no money is given to you.
iv. Be ready to leave good legacy of history by contributing to the development of your community as good name is better than gold.
v. It is good to be a philanthropist.
ABDULRAZAQ AND FAMILY
Late A.G.F Abdulrazaq was a family man to the core. He respected his family members, he brought them up properly, God paid him back as today, one of his children is now the Governor of Kwara State. He was married to Alhaja Raliat Abdulrazaq, his children are;[22]
i. Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq, a Lawyer, a Ph.D, degree holder in Law, a Politician of high repute, Administrator and Philanthropist.
ii. Hajia Hairat Abdulrazaq-Gwadabe, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
iii. Alhaji Isiaka Abdulrazaq, who was the Executive Director, Finance & Administration of NNPC.
iv. Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Executive Governor of Kwara State.
v. Hajia Aisha Mohammed Lawal (Nee Abdulrazaq) the wife of the former Governor of Kwara State.
vi. Alhaji AbdulRauf Abdulrazaq an Abuja based businessman.
While alife, Baba, A.G.F Abdulrazaq did not forgot any of his relations and because Prof. M.T Abdulrazaq’s father, Late Alhaji Abdulmumini Abdulrazaq, himself a lawyer, was A.G.F Abdulrazaq brother, they were always relating well. A.G.F Abdulrazaq (Late) was the uncle to Prof. M.T Abdulrazaq. What a family of Achievers.
INSPIRATIONS TO BE DRAWN OUT
i. Make sure you mentor your family as you mentor several persons in life.
ii. Make sure your family look forward to be an Achiever too rather than relying on your achievement to succeed.
iii. Be an uncle, an husband, a father, to your family.
iv. Make sure you prepare your family in such a way that no one can be seen as a Dependant of the other.
v. Make sure you try to be an “Abdulrazaq” even when you are not one.
SUMMARY
We have been able to know who the Late Alh. A.G.F Abdulrazaq, SAN, OFR was, before he died and after his death.
We have been able to look at what is meant by legacies and future generations as it concerns the topic under reference. Though this two concepts seems easy when looked at on the surface but a critical analysis will reveal that except one is very careful in relating them properly to the topic under discourse, those concepts may lead to more confusion among intellectuals.
We further took turn in explaining those legacies among several legacies left behind by this legal giant, Administrator per excellence and a perfect community builder.
In dealing with legacies one after the other, we had to highlight those inspirations from each legacy in order to appreciate the topic and once they are properly read and digested, it will go a long way to build more future leaders for our country.
CONCLUSION
Late A.G.F Abdulrazaq, SAN, OFR, has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria, Kwara State, Ilorin community and it will be a disservice to humanity to allow his legacies not to be appreciated by future generations including the present generation.
REFERENCES (A) LIST OF INTERNET MATERIALS
1. Abdulganiyu Abdulrazaq; Accessed through the internet via https://en.n.wikipedia.org on 24/8/2020 at 12:41am (mid night).
2. This Day: A.G.F Abdulrazaq; Exit of a Rare Achiever; August 2, 2020: 3:37am; Accessed through the internet via; https://www.thisday.org on 24/8/2020 at 1:28am
3. What is Legacy: see https://www.legacy/project.org; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:01am
4. Legacy: see https://www.collinsdictionary.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:15am
5. How to pronounce legacy in English; see https://forvo.com; word legacy accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:21am
6. Lesson: See https://www.idoceonline.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:33am
7. Future generations; see https://www.vocabulary.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 3am
8. Other words for future generations; see https://www.wordhippo.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:57am
9. Legal luminary profile: see https://www.thisdaylive.com; Accessed through the internet on the 25/8/2020 at 12:37pm.
10. Prof. Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, SAN; The Practice of Entrepreneurship and its Legal Issues: See https://thenigerianlawyer.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 1:21pm
11. Prof. Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, SAN; The effect of Leadership and Entrepreneurship on Law: See https://thenigerianlawyer.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 1:26pm
(B) LIST OF JOURNALS /PRESENTATIONS/BOOKS
1. Prof. A. Amuda-Kannike, SAN; Tribute to Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdulrazaq, SAN, OFR, (3/11/1927 – 25/7/2020) pg 1
2. Abdulrazaq O. Kilani; Issues and trends on Religious Tolerance in Nigeria: published in the journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, Vol 16, No 2, 1996
3. Layi Babatunde; SC Report 2020 Diary published by Lawbreed Limited.
(C) CASE LAW
1. Saraki VS Kotoye 1990 LPELR SC page 174 and 1990 NWLR (pt 144) page 281
[1] Prof. A. Amuda-Kannike, SAN; Tribute to Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdulrazaq, SAN, OFR, (3/11/1927 – 25/7/2020) pg 1
[2] Abdulganiyu Abdulrazaq; Accessed through the internet via https://en.n.wikipedia.org on 24/8/2020 at 12:41am (mid night).
[3] This Day: A.G.F Abdulrazaq; Exit of a Rare Achiever; August 2, 2020: 3:37am; Accessed through the internet via; https://www.thisday.org on 24/8/2020 at 1:28am
[4] What is Legacy: see https://www.legacy/project.org; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:01am
[5] Legacy: see https://www.collinsdictionary.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:15am
[6] Opp Cit.
[7] How to pronounce legacy in English; see https://forvo.com; word legacy accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:21am
[8]Lesson: See https://www.idoceonline.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:33am
[9] Future generations; see https://www.vocabulary.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 3am
[10] Other words for future generations; see https://www.wordhippo.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 2:57am
[11] The concept of future generation as far as we are concerned is a relative concept and no one single acceptable definition can fit into this concept without controversy.
[12] No one can misbehave and certainly believe that he will succeed.
[13] Abdulrazaq O. Kilani; Issues and trends on Religious Tolerance in Nigeria: published in the journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, Vol 16, No 2, 1996
[14] The simple truth is that it is not easy to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), it takes a lot of industry, dedication, hardwork and brilliance to attain the status. One fundamental thing remains that once you have a number on the roll of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, it remains your number even after you death. The number 46 given to AGF cannot be given to any Senior Advocate of Nigeria again till eternity.
[15] Layi Babatunde; SC Report 2020 Diary published by Lawbreed Limited.
[16] Legal luminary profile: see https://www.thisdaylive.com; Accessed through the internet on the 25/8/2020 at 12:37pm.
[17] Despite A.G.F Abdulrazaq being the first practicing Lawyer in the whole of the Northern Nigeria, there exist a lawyer from the North who dorn the silk before him that is; Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, number 35 on the list, he was happy with the Learned silk, he became the 2nd person from the North but remained the first not only from Ilorin but the entire Kwara State.
[18] Prof. Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, SAN; The Practice of Entrepreneurship and its Legal Issues: See https://thenigerianlawyer.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 1:21pm
[19] Prof. Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, SAN; The effect of Leadership and Entrepreneurship on Law: See https://thenigerianlawyer.com; Accessed through the internet on 25/8/2020 at 1:26pm
[20] His kind of politics is worthy of emulation because his interest is to serve Nigeria and humanity.
[21] A.G.F can always convince you to act in favour of his state and Ilorin which he hailed from. This was made possible as a good speaker, an humble man and a man who spoke the 3 Nigerian major languages.
[22] It is important to emulate this important Nigerian in family upbringing, respect, humility and dignity. No wonder non of A.G.F Abdulrazaq children can be seen not emulating their Late father’s legacies. My apology with respect to the arrangement of names or names mentioned, as this was due to the information available during the course of this work and time factor.