Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kwara State chapter on Wednesday, the 17th of October, 2018, organised a Special Reading session in honour of late Justice Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi in recognition of his invaluable contributions to scholarship and literary development in the country.

The Association also dedicated an anthology to late Akanbi, who was also a writer and poet in his own rights during his life time.

Speaking during the event held at African People's Hall, Onikanga, G. R. A, Ilorin, the ANA state Chairman, Malam AbdulRahman Aderinoye said the production of anthology in the name of Justice Akanbi was borne out of the former President of the Court of Appeal’s tremendious support to the Association when he was alive.

Malam Aderinoye explained that late Honourable Justice Akanbi was a strong pillar of support for ANA as he did everything humanly possible to promote reading culture through personal donations and self production of literary works.

He eulogised Justice Akanbi’s other related support and assistance for the growth and development of literary works and reading culture in the society.

Speaking on behalf of Akanbi’s family, Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi expressed delight over the recognition and commended ANA for keeping the memory of their father, late Justice Akanbi, alive.

Professor Akanbi who doubles as Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the reading session in honour of his father was very apt and worthwhile, adding that the event was a continuation of his father’s dreams in ensuring that all Nigerian children are well educated.

“I feel highly delighted because this is the way of putting the memory of our late father in front burner. While he was alive, he believed in scholarship and for ANA to organise this reading session, it is a continuation of dreams he had to ensure that as many as Nigerian youth are educated.” Professor Akanbi said.

Also speaking, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor A.T. Shehu, who represented the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University at the occasion said late Justice Akanbi lived a life of integrity that worth celebrating. 

"Baba was one of the greatest man I have met on earth. He lived a life of integrity and up to today we are celebrating him."

"Nobody will lay hands on justice Akanbi's judgement and will say it's a trash and lacks honesty and integrity he lived and preached." He said.

Professor Shehu thanked the organiser for organizing such gathering in the late Wakili Ilory's honour.

Other dignitaries like Chairman, Mustapha Akanbi Foundation, Dr Mashood; and Chief Librarian, National Library, Ilorin Branch, Mrs Olani in their good will messages lauded great contributions of the late legal icon in promoting reading, writing and listening skills as well as good reading culture. 

They also outlined his various landmark achievements in the cause of adding values to lives and serving the humanity.

Anchored by the Kwara ANA Secretary, Mr Babayemi Opeyemi, the session witnessed reading from the late legal luminary's works and poetry presentations by members of the Association as well as from the students of the Secondary schools present. 

Kwara ANA members such as Col. Oladele Babajamu (rtd.), Mr Iyanda Suleiman Ayinde, Mr Mubarak Oladosu, Mrs Betty Ige, Mr Braimoh Abdulrasak, Mr Saliu Ahmad Toyin, Mr Sheriff Olanrewaju, and Mr Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole made beautiful reading from the late jurist's works and rendered poems in his honour, while some students from the invited schools like Kamaldeen Muhsinat (from Nana Aishat Academy) and Abubakar Ola-AbdulHamid (Army Day Secondary School) equally perfomed their beautiful poems in honour of the late judge.

The students of the represented secondary schools across Kwara state were in turn left with so much of good lessons, virtues and wisdom to tap from the reading session, as they listened to the remarks of members of the high table on the life and time of the first Wakili of Ilorin, Honourable Justice Mustapha Akanbi, CFR, PCA (rtd.).