On the heels of her 91st birthday, the matriarch of the Ajulo family, Christianah Ajulo becomes the inspiration for the latest edition of the Catalyst Symposium in Akure- an honour which her son, Kayode Ajulo, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for
Justice in Ondo State wholly treasures. Vanessa Obioha writes
If you are on the contact list of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), it is likely that you received a WhatsApp video from the latest edition of the Catalyst Symposium in Akure, where his mother, Princess Chief (Mrs.) Christianah Ajulo, was honoured.
Held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the symposium was themed ‘Ma’ami Ajulo XCI: Legacy & Girl-Child Mentorship’ in celebration of her 91st birthday.
As the theme suggests, the event brought together young girls across the state, with sessions addressing issues confronting the girl-child, such as entrepreneurship, leadership and professional development.
It was not the first time the matriarch would be honoured in the state. At her 90th birthday last year, her son organised a colloquium that culminated in what is now known as the “season of women” in the state’s March–April calendar under the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. That colloquium also focused on women, using the life of Ma’ami Ajulo, as she is fondly called, as a model of true motherhood.
She is revered for her entrepreneurship, brilliance, and leadership attributes; traits that her son often sings to anyone who cares to listen.
“She is the bedrock of our family,” he said in a recent encounter. “A woman of quiet strength, unwavering faith, and remarkable diligence who raised us with high values of integrity, hard work, and service to humanity. Seeing her legacy celebrated at an event focused on legacy and girl child mentorship is a full-circle moment for me.”
The celebration, he added, is more than just the honour of her 91st birthday. Rather, “it’s validation of the sacrifices countless mothers make that often go unseen.” “My heart swells with gratitude to the organisers and participants for shining this light on maternal influence in shaping bold, purposeful lives,” he said.
Ajulo’s love for his mother has always been constant but has deepened with time and perspective. He recalled growing up in Ibadan and seeing his mother as a tireless pillar managing the home and her businesses while instilling discipline and teaching him the power of prayer and education, even in modest circumstances.
“Through my journey; from building a career in the legal space, founding a prestigious law firm, Kayode Ajulo (SAN) & Co. Castle of Law) to public service, to serve humanity, I’ve come to admire her wisdom even more. She taught resilience without bitterness and generosity without fanfare.” Public life, he noted, has further deepened that admiration.
“Every challenge I face reminds me of her quiet counsel. The admiration evolved from filial duty to profound respect for her as a role model of virtuous womanhood. I’ve never hidden it because such love is a gift worth celebrating openly. And I am fundamentally proud to be one of my mother’s numerous legacies.”
On her legacy, Ajulo believes that it lies in quiet, transformative influence.
“At this stage, her legacy is living through the values she instilled in us and the many she has mentored informally. It’s a legacy that says true greatness often lies in faithful, unseen service; one that inspires the girl-child to build enduring impact through character and purpose.”
That personal history, he suggested, informs his interest in issues affecting women and the girl-child.
Like in any other place in the universe, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria believes the girl-child in Ondo needs stronger and more enforceable protections against gender-based violence, child marriage and exploitation, alongside safeguards for access to education and inheritance rights.
However, he acknowledged persistent implementation gaps, especially in rural and riverine areas.
“Today, my priority areas include the swift prosecution of sexual and domestic violence cases, protection from harmful traditional practices, and ensuring equal inheritance rights under customary law conflicts.”
He is equally passionate about mentorship.
“In this digital, fast-changing age, the girl child needs holistic, values-driven mentorship that builds inner confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills while grounding her in ethics and resilience.”
He highlighted the importance of role models across fields such as STEM, entrepreneurship, law, and public service, as well as guidance in navigating social media pressures, mental health, and economic independence.
“Mentorship should ignite ‘bold actions,’ as the symposium theme says, helping girls see themselves as solution-providers, not victims of societal barriers,” he said. Beyond advocacy, Ajulo said his work in the justice sector reflects a broader effort to protect vulnerable groups and expand access to justice in the state.
Since assuming office in 2024, he noted that the state has prioritised expanding access to justice, strengthening legal policies and reforming justice-sector institutions.
“Our key interventions have included the appointment of several qualified legal practitioners to broaden the reach of legal aid services, thereby making justice more readily available to vulnerable segments of society, particularly young girls confronted with abuse or intractable family disputes. We have also championed the more effective implementation of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law through targeted capacity-building programmes for prosecutors. These measures have demonstrably accelerated the handling and prosecution of such cases,” he shared.
Other interventions include legal literacy and protection programmes in underserved communities.
On the issue of gender-based violence, he was emphatic.
“It is now the settled policy of the Ondo State Government that nolle prosequi shall not be entered in cases of this nature. “Any attempt to exert such undue influence shall no longer be tolerated. Indeed, any person who seeks to interfere with the due process of justice in these matters shall henceforth be prosecuted as an accessory after the fact,” he warned. These deliberate and sustained efforts, both direct and indirect, he noted, serve to empower the girl child by dismantling barriers to her education, safety, and overall advancement.
When asked about his principal’s alleged bid for reelection, Ajulo responded firmly:
“It’s expedient to be clear on this as there’s nowhere publicly or privately that Governor Aiyedatiwa has stated that he’s considering running for a second term despite the court’s position on such issues.”
The matter, he added, is personal to the governor but as a Senior Advocate, he acknowledged that recent court developments have raised constitutional questions around tenure limits.
“These include the proper interpretation of Section 180 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and related provisions, notably, whether His Excellency Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, enjoys the constitutional immunity and protection afforded by Section 308, whether a cause of action exists to litigate the matter pertaining to the 2028 election which was filled in the year 2025 and whether its premature or not and several other issues.”
He nonetheless noted that such matters are best left to the courts to resolve.
“In the interim, our undivided attention must remain on the diligent delivery of good governance, the sustenance of peace and stability, and the relentless pursuit of developmental deliverables for the good people of Ondo State.”
Ondo has in recent times experienced a wave of insecurity. The Senior Advocate described it as a national challenge driven by factors such as porous borders, unemployment, youth restiveness and coordination gaps across security agencies, and needs to be addressed with honesty.
While noting efforts by the state government in intelligence and community policing, he stressed the need for broader collaboration and long-term solutions such as job creation, social investment and prosecution of offenders to deter impunity.
“Blaming alone solves nothing; the real work lies in closing implementation gaps while building community trust and resilience.”
Ajulo, who has spent over two decades in the legal profession, said public service has refined his worldview.
“It has reinforced my belief in the power of institutions, the necessity of integrity in leadership, and the resilience of the Nigerian spirit,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand how policy impacts real lives, the joys of progress and the frustrations of systemic bottlenecks. It has deepened my commitment to justice as a tool for equity and my appreciation for teamwork over solo heroism.”
More importantly, it confirmed what his upbringing taught him: service is a privilege, and every challenge is an opportunity to build a better society.
Describing law as a lifelong ambition, Ajulo stated that lawyers barely retire.
“It gets better with age and the truth must be told, a lawyer never truly retires in the classical sense, the training shapes a lifelong mindset of analysis, advocacy, and problem-solving. While one may step back from active courtroom battles or administrative roles, the essence of the profession; seeking justice, offering counsel, and upholding the rule of law, continues.”
For him, retirement would simply mean redirecting that energy into new forms of service.
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