By Temitope Ajayi
I read of the passing of Alhaji Abdulganiyu Folorunsho Abdulrazaq (SAN) yesterday at the ripe age of 93 years.
Let me say that i got to know about him and his significant life through his eldest son, Dr. Alimi Abdulrazaq whom i got to know through a distinguished educationist, Ms. Carmen Latty. Ms. Latty was then the Administrator of Bridge House College, Ikoyi.
It is very easy to come across the name of Alhaji Abdulrazaq too reading some of the literature of pre and post independent Nigeria as the Legal Adviser of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).
He was a very remarkable and accomplished Lawyer. The first man to become a Lawyer from Northern Region and also the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria from the North. He was first appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ivory Coast in 1962. He was recalled as an Ambassador by the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello in 1964 to become Minister of Railway under the government of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa.
His love for education led him to set up Ilorin College in 1967 as first private secondary school in Kwara State before government took over the school which is now Government High School, Ilorin. When General Gowon created Kwara as one of the 12 states in 1967, Alhaji Abdulrazaq became the first Commissioner for Finance. Working with the Military Governor Bamigboye and other Exco members, they laid solid economic/financial footing and infrastructure for the state with many state owned enterprises the administration established.
Alhaji Abdulrazaq was among the first set of students that were admitted into University College Ibadan in 1948. When he turned 90 three years ago, Dr. Alimi invited me to be part of the planning to launch a Book in his honour. Until his death, Baba was one of the few remaining men who saw Nigeria’s struggle from the colonial era up to two days ago.
…Ajayi is a journalist, a PR practioner and a public affairs commentator
