“The impact you accept becomes your reality.”
While people may occasionally look up to admire the skies, the birds of the air truly inhabit it. Having had their wings trained by its winds, the sky is not just a spectacle for the birds – it is their living reality. They become extensions of its wonder, embodying its vastness.
On the 18th of October 2024, the world gathered to celebrate the most beautiful of skies: a vast, light-blue canopy, graciously embracing the warmth of the sun. Though it was daytime, stars seemed to emerge to adorn its face; a constellation never before seen. Even the splendid northern lights danced along the horizon where sky meets earth – a vision painted only by the very hands that wove the fabric of the universe.
Aare Afe Babalola is more than the name of a national hero, a legal titan, an education champion, or an unwavering philanthropist; it is a name synonymous with hope, a promise that dreams can push through the boundaries of imagination and become reality. Aare Babalola is a beacon, a North Star for Nigeria’s progress.
As a member of the first graduating class of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), I witnessed firsthand the quiet, unassuming town of Ado-Ekiti transform into a thriving city, simply because it had the honour of hosting this force of nature – this vision. It is therefore no surprise to see the remarkable achievements of ABUAD alumni across the world, as we had the privilege of being directly shaped by this dream during our years at the university.
This recognition bestowed upon our father, Aare Afe Babalola, is an honour long overdue. While the world may gather on the 18th of October, there exists a place where every day is Aare Afe Babalola Day. Just as the sky is a spectacle for people and a reality for birds, for every ABUAD alumnus who has learned to soar in the winds of Aare Afe Babalola’s vision, we embody this dream and bring it to life with each success – because here, in our lives, every day is Aare Afe Babalola Day.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.