Monarch obtains law degree at 73

A traditional ruler in Ogun State, Olufemi Ogunleye, has graduated with a degree in Law at the age of 73.

Mr. Ogunleye, the Toluwade of Akinale in Owu Kingdom of Egbaland, graduated with a Second Class Upper degree from Crescent University, Abeokuta.

A veteran journalist before mounting the throne, the monarch served with the Daily Times for over a decade and as Group Public Relations Manager of the defunct Nigeria Airways.

Mr. Ogunleye disclosed that it took him five years to bag the degree, Premium Times reported.

“It was a five-year programme. We are the pioneer Law students of Bola Ajibola College of Law of the Crescent University, Abeokuta, which was established in 2005,” he said.

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The ruler added that the university graduated 39 Law students in his set, one with First Class, 16 with Second Class Upper, 14 with Second Class Lower and three with Third Class, whereas, six students in the set could not graduate.

The traditional ruler who was the oldest among the law students, said: “Six candidates had reference and will not graduate this session.”

He said his love for education motivated him through the challenges of the programme.

“I enrolled for Diploma in Law at the university in 2012, to break the monotony of traditional mundane palace paradigm. But with an Upper Credit at the end of the Diploma, I was offered a direct entry to 200 Level, which now saw me acquiring an LLB degree with Second Class Upper,” Mr. Ogunleye said.

“By graduating in Law at 73, I have thrown a challenge to the youth and other senior citizens that there is no age barrier to educational advancement,” ‎ he said.

He applauded the university for turning out graduates he said have been excelling in various professional careers.

Mr Ogunleye said, “Several outstanding students from various disciplines – Business Administration, Finance and Accounts, Political Science, Architecture, Mass Communication – have graduated from the university and are making waves in their respective fields across the world”.