The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has renamed the Ministry’s E-Library after the retiring Solicitor General of the Federation/Permanent Secretary, Dayo Apata, SAN as a mark of honour for the immense contributions he made within the ministry.
Malami made the announcement at the Sendforth on retirement and handing over ceremony organized by the Ministry in honour of the retiring SGF/PS on Friday, 23rd July, 2021.
At the occasion which witnessed an outpouring of glowing tributes to the retiring SGF/PS, the Minister said, “The E-Library shall henceforth be known and called Dayo Toba Apata E-Library”.
He said Apata has made “unbroken record of commitment and professionalism demonstrated by his sound legal mind”.
According to the him, the retiring SGF/PS deserves national honour in view of his meritorious services to the nation.
The Minister said, “Let me place on record, the commendable consistency of the SGF/PS in the implementation of policies and programmes of the Ministry. I can say with pride that the Ministry has been lifted to higher grounds and has become the envy of others”. He added, “Apata has served in various capacities where he distinguished himself in the discharge of his duties”.
“In my countless encounters and very intimate working interaction with him over the years, I found him to be resourceful, committed and patriotic in the discharge of his duties.
“It is an understatement to say that the Federal Ministry Justice will miss this repository of knowledge on vital aspects of law”.
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, noted that Apata is a good person.
He described him as a wonderful person and prayed that it would be well with the Retiring Permanent Secretary.
The climax of the event was the cutting of cake for Apata’s 60 years birthday anniversary. He retires from the Civil Service of the Federation on Sunday, having clocked 60 years.
In his speech, Apata who thanked the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami for giving him the opportunity to serve in the Ministry, enumerated most his achievements to the applause by the Staff of the ministry.
“I became the first SGF and Permanent Secretary to be conferred with the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), with the cooperation and support of the AGF.
“Malami is not only God-sent, but also a detribalized Nigerian who has projected me to the world in the course of delegating me to attend high profile events in his stead, and I remain eternally grateful to him for the confidence he reposed on me”, he said.
Apata, a technocrat and legal icon, is bowing out of service on the attainment of the compulsory retirement age of 60 years.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mohammed Umar was named as his successor in acting capacity.
Earlier, various sporting events such as scrabble, Table Tennis, Ayo and handball were organized in his honour with participants coasting home with medals and plaques.
Modupe Ogundoro
Deputy Director (Information)
24th July, 2021
