Prof. G. A. Olawoyin, SAN: An unsung erudite achiever at 75 In a country like ours where sycophancy and charlatanism are best sellers, it is rare to find an accomplished man who does everything to suppress praise-singing and cheap publicity in all forms. However, at the risk of being labelled a praise-singer or his cohort, I shamelessly write this tribute to Nigeria’s first Professor of business law who has continued to unassumingly wax stronger in erudition and honour. Born on the 31st day of July 1939 to a polygamous home, Gabriel Adesiyan Olawoyin lost his mother when he was just 8 years old, and this forced him to move in with his grandmother. He was inspired in 1959 to study law upon his visit to a court in Ile-Ife and on the 10th of August 1961, he sailed from Nigeria to the United Kingdom where he gained admission into the prestigious London School of Economic and Political Science (University of London) to study law. Because he had to financially support himself, he combined studying with a part-time job as a Post and Telegraph Officer, which demanded his attention till 6pm, two hours behind his lecture schedule. When he returned to Nigeria in 1966, he resumed work as an Assistant Lecturer 1 at the University of Ife but later returned to the UK to obtain his Ph.D in law. He however attended the Nigerian Law School between 1974 and 1975 where he won three of the four prizes available at that time. By dint of hard work and God’s grace in 1978, G.A. Olawoyin became the first Professor of business law in Nigeria but he retired from teaching when he set up his law firm, Olaowin & Olawoyin and in 1998, he took silk. The firm is now managed by his son, Dr. Wale Olawoyin who also like his father, was also just conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Like every success story, his was not without its down moments. One that readily comes to mind was his petition against the structural re-organisation of councils by the military administration of David Jemibewon which exercise was perceived as an unfair against the people of Ile Ife. When he subsequently travelled abroad on recruitment assignment for the University of Ife, reports reached him that would be arrested upon his return but on his return, he got an appointment rather than an arrest from the state government. A devout Christian, Professor Olawoyin is the Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Ile-Ife and also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of governing Council of Osun State University. He loves watching football and tennis. As the learned Professor of law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Elder Statesman quietly clocks 75, I gladly join his family and everyone who appreciates his uncommon virtues to celebrate Professor G.A. Olawoyin, SAN, who characteristically travels out of the country during his birthdays, on this milestone. Olumide Babalola who practices in Lagos with Brickhouse Solicitors can be reached via olumidebabalolaesq@gmail.com.