The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has urged Nigerians to uphold truth, integrity and peaceful coexistence as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Fagbemi made the call on Sunday at the Fidau prayer for the late Alhaji Uthman Oyewuyi, a centenarian and respected community leader, in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He said the late Oyewuyi’s life offered lessons in honesty, courage and peaceful conflict resolution, particularly at a time when political activities could heighten tensions and test the country’s commitment to justice and peaceful coexistence.
The minister described the deceased as a devout Muslim and scholar who stood by the truth and corrected wrongdoing regardless of who was involved.
According to Fagbemi, Oyewuyi’s willingness to mediate disputes and place truth above personal interests reflected the values needed in public life and national development.
He urged political actors and community leaders to emulate those qualities by placing the interests of society above personal and political considerations.
Fagbemi also highlighted Oyewuyi’s contributions to education, saying he was among the pioneers who helped establish Ansarudeen Primary School in Ijagbo in 1958.
He said the deceased extended his support beyond his immediate family by providing financial assistance to people seeking educational opportunities. The minister added that the family’s educational achievements, including two professors among his children, formed part of his enduring legacy.
The attorney general appealed to the community to ensure that the leadership vacuum created by Oyewuyi’s death was filled by someone committed to honesty, courage and service.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased’s eldest son, Nureni Jimoh, described his father as a caring and truthful man who was committed to peace and justice.
Another son, Mubashir Uthman, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said his father valued both Islamic and Western education.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Oyewuyi held several community and religious positions, including Baba Baale of Sagodo, Olori Ebi of Ile Oba and Naibul Imam of Ijagbo.
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