By Ismail Omipidan
Today, it’s the turn of my elder brother to be celebrated. Today is his birthday. And I have elected to celebrate him this way.
He is the third of the family of eight. Of the eight of us, only two were born before our parents moved to Otukpo, Benue State, in the 1960s, shortly before the civil war. Thus, Prof. Bashir Adeniyi Omipidan, the current Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, and incumbent National Legal Adviser of the foremost Islamic organisation, Ansar-ud-Deen Society (ADS), became the first of our parents’ children to be born in Otukpo.
After him came Dr. Sulaiman Omipidan, before yours truly was welcomed into this world.
Prof. Omipidan’s desire to study law was both intentional and deliberate. Growing up, our parents experienced avoidable intimidation and harassment. During one of those moments, they resolved that one of us must study law. And because he appeared most prepared for the challenge, he was encouraged to go for the trophy.
He began his journey with a Diploma in Law from the Kwara State Polytechnic, before proceeding to the University of Ilorin, where he earned his first degree. He then moved to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife for his Master’s, and later to Malaysia, where he obtained his Doctorate in 2010. Nine years later, he was elevated to the rank of Professor. Over the years, he has held various leadership positions and left his mark. His recent election as Dean of the Faculty of Law is particularly historic, as he is the first alumnus of that Faculty to assume the position.
Let me quickly add that he had barely completed his Diploma programme when we began to enjoy the privilege of having a sound legal mind in the family. There are many instances to illustrate this, but I will mention just one.
Our mother was once robbed at home of millions of naira from her market proceeds. One of the culprits was well known in the community. The case was reported, arrests were made, but the police released the culprits without recourse to us. My brother immediately petitioned the police authority, and his intervention led to the diligent prosecution of the matter. Somehow, I also tapped from his legal education, so much so that whenever he was not around, I assumed the role of writing and firing letters whenever the need arose.
Our parents were known for their integrity. Our mother served as the Chairlady of the Otukpo Main Market for many years. I recall vividly during the reign of Grp. Capt. Joshua Obademi as the Sole Administrator of Benue State, the then local government administrator attempted to increase market levies. They approached my mother, seeking her cooperation. In fact, they tried to buy her over, promising her personal benefits if she would support the increment. But my mother vehemently refused. She warned that if the administrator went ahead with the hike, she would mobilise and lead a protest against it. True to her word, when the levies were reviewed upward, she shut down the market. This singular action crippled economic activities across Otukpo, as the market was the major source of revenue for the community.
The standoff made the administrator’s tenure most uncomfortable, because my mother insisted that unless the old rates were restored, the market would remain closed. The resistance became so intense that, at one point, some individuals were allegedly paid to attack her with acid, but thankfully, the attempt was unsuccessful.
My mother stood her ground, insisting that she was fighting a just cause and that God would always stand with her. She abhorred injustice and fought it fiercely. Beyond her market leadership, she was also an active player in the politics of Otukpo. She only withdrew from active politics after the death of my late father because, according to her, the man who used to accompany her to late-night meetings was no more. To compensate her, she was asked to present one of us for a councillorship position. Instead, my mother presented a young Hausa man, who eventually won the contest, thus becoming the first non-Idoma to win that seat since the return to democracy in 1999. From then on, non-Idoma candidates began to win election as councillors in the area. My mother was always there for every trader, irrespective of their ethnicity. We grew up learning from her that service to others and fighting for justice are noble.
These principles have shaped the lives of her children, including Prof. Omipidan. Prof., from the feedback I receive from your students wherever I encounter them, it is clear that you have lived up to expectations.
As you mark your birthday today, I pray for Allah’s protection for you from all forms of harm, both seen and unseen. May Allah shield you and your loved ones from the whispers of Shaytan, from the trials of insecurity, and from the snares of wrongdoing.
I pray Allah wraps you in His divine safety, strengthen your hearts with unwavering faith, and guide your steps away from danger and deceit.
I pray Allah, the Guardian of the oppressed and Defender of the weak, grant you refuge in His mercy, and make your home a sanctuary of peace.
Let no evil approach you, no harm touch you, and no injustice prevail against you. I pray Allah sends His angels to watch over you, and grant you wisdom to navigate the world with courage and clarity. Aameen, ya Rabb-al-‘Alameen. Happy birthday to you, sir.
