Sir Ezekiel Folorunso Ogunjuyigbe’s ‘lawyerization’ by Divine Providence remains a calling to focus and awaken ‘the declining influence of divine providence and punishment as a guarantee of truthfulness and’ spiritual and emotional integrity. Sir Ogunjuyigbe’s 40 years at the Bar brings to the fore law and providence as ‘the most fundamental issues in understanding the world, such as the relationship between spirit and matter, the connection between the laws of nature and divine providence and the openness to the world to the involvement of God and man.’

Sir Ogunjuyigbe’s decision and call to read law and became a lawyer was at a time ‘where the ‘proofs’ provided by providence had once been viewed as a ‘security’ which encouraged litigants and witnesses to be truthful at the risk of divine punishment,’ however, ‘the introduction of professional legal counsel secularised and complicated legal proceedings. Lawyers used their legal knowledge to challenge evidence, dispute details, and raise points of law with the judge. But they also performed, emoted, gestured, crafted eloquent and impassioned speeches, and skilfully manipulated the emotions of witnesses and the jury to bring sworn testimony into question, and apply the feeling rules of the rising middle classes.’

Saturday, August 17th, 2024, was an extraordinary day at E F Ogunjuyigbe and Associates. Sir Ezekiel Folorunso Ogunjuyigbe Esq was called to the Bar 40 years earlier to the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, August 17th, 1984. On the said day, about 400 lawyers were called to the Bar. On Sunday, November 11th, 1984, Sir Ogunjuyigbe had a Thanksgiving service at Methodist Church, Oke-Omi, Osu. It was a joyous day. The choir rendered a beautiful Anthem, and the entire Osu community, including all the other denominations, attended the service to praise God Almighty with Sir Ogunjuyigbe, a pillar of Osu Community development.

Sir Ogunjuyigbe said, ‘I read law and became a Lawyer by accident; it was not my plan. Rather, it was God’s divine plan for my life. Until the Sunday of Thanksgiving, many people did not believe that I read law because they thought I was too rascally to go to university and not to talk about reading law. But my brothers, sisters and friends in our church believed me. Glory be to God. Our resolve and determination as members of the Inner Circle, Osu, based in the Adubiobi’s House at Elemeso Quarters, our headquarters, to read and excel in life.’

As a courageous Christian, Sir Ogunjuyigbe founded E. F. Ogunjuyigbe and Associates. He was a legal consultant and representative of Leadway Assurance under its Founder and Chairmanship, late Sir Hassan Odukale. Sir Ogunjuyigbe made landmark legal representations and breakthroughs across Northern Nigeria, including Sokoto, Kano, Markurdi, Jos, and Maiduguri, before he relocated to Ibadan, Oyo State.

I say “courageous” not simply because of the professional risks Sir Ogunjuyigbe embarked upon in Northern Nigeria and his short stay in the United States of America, but also because he had young families at home at the time and many of the Osu youths under his mentorship and support. Over the last 40 years, Sir Ogunjuyigbe has turned his hatchling vision into a highly reputed, (Christian Methodist-shaped) boutique litigation firm.

In addition to excelling in his everyday legal work, Sir Ogunjuyigbe prioritises giving back to his Methodist church, local, circuit, diocese, and Conference connexion. To write about Sir Ogunjuyigbe, a Knight of John Wesley, a former National President, Methodist Youth Association, and a former Lay President, Diocese of Ilesa is to write about Methodism by birth and by heart. I will leave this for another day while we concentrate on his ‘lawyerization’ by Divine Providence and celebrate his 40 years at the Bar.

As a testimony, E F Ogunjuyigbe and Associates is run with equality, diversity, civility, and ethical practice values they hold in high esteem. On the home front, Sir Ogunjuyigbe is a family man. It was his priority to make it to all his family’s essential events while his children were growing up – and it is still his priority today. Sir Ogunjuyigbe is routinely invited to chair and present at continuing legal education seminars at home and abroad.  Not only is he a prolific contributor to legal education with many contributions to his name, but his quick wit and demand for ‘orogbo’ (bitter kola) at the lunch dessert table ensure that members of the legal community highly attend his seminars. Over the last 40 years, Sir Ogunjuyigbe has accomplished more than one would imagine possible for a single individual.  In my view, Sir Ogunjuyigbe, under Divine providence, has been able to accomplish all of this because of the passion that he brings to every aspect of his life, the intelligent and loyal team of his Associates, and the endless support of his wife and life partner, Lady Deborah Taiwo Ogunjuyigbe, nee Ajetomobi.

As a former Choir leader in his home local church, Sir Ogunjuyigbe’s thanksgiving is echoed in the Methodist Hymn book – 413:

 “When all Thy mercies, O my God,

 My rising soul surveys,

 Transported with the view, I’m lost

 In wonder, love and praise.

Through hidden dangers, toils and deaths,

 It gently cleared my way.

 And through the pleasing snares of vice,

 More to be feared than they.

Sir Ogunjuyigbe is ever grateful to God and his loving family. According to him, “I am grateful for the support of our members, namely, Elder Kehinde Faluyi, Chief Folorunso Adubiobi, Bro Lanre Fabusuyi, Akin Olusesi, Sanmi Aofolaju, Lase Ajayi, Bishop Ayo Olubusuyi, Sir Dire Arimoro, Tunji Ojo, Sir Bunmi Adeoye, Debo Ayeni and Femi Olayinka. I am most grateful. I remembered with gratitude to God for the lives well spent by our members who had joined the church triumphant, namely, Wing Commander Taiwo Ogidan, Sanya Olokun, Ezekiel Alegbeleye, Oladele Oni and Timothy Gbenga Olowookere. May their souls continue resting in the bosom of God. As of July 31st, 2024, about 130 of my Learned colleagues with whom I was called to the Bar in 1984 have gone to be with the Lord. I am humbled and grateful to God for preserving my life through thick and thin, joy and sadness, and known and unknown dangers.”

 “THROUGH all the changing scenes of life,

 In trouble and in joy,

 The praises of my God shall still

 My heart and tongue employ.” (MHB 427).

Sir Ogunjuyigbe is thankful to his parents, Pa Joseph Ogunjuyigbe and Mrs. Beatrice Funmilola Ogunjuyigbe, both of blessed memories who laboured hard to send him to school. Sir Ogunjuyigbe said, “I sincerely thank my brother, Chief Peter Ogunjuyigbe (Baba Olopa), who sponsored my university education and the Law School. I am grateful to him. I thank my wife, Lady Deborah Taiwo Ogunjuyigbe, for her support, perseverance, and keeping the home front. I thank my children, Tope, Wole, Lola, and Sola, for being good children throughout their school years and caring for me in my near old age. They will not fall, and they will not fail.”

After a low-key Thanksgiving service at Methodist Cathedral, Agodi, Ibadan on Sunday, August 18th, 2024, at 10 o’clock, there will be another Thanksgiving service at Sir Ogunjuyigbe’s home church, Methodist Church, Oke-Omi, Osu, on Sunday, August 25th, 2024.

To God be the glory.