Tribute To Late Justice Ahmad Belgore , JCA.

By: Shehu Bashir Esq.

Innalillahi Wahina Illehi Rajihuna.

Death is forever an immutable transition to a definite end of a long journey. The creation, the recreation and uncreation of every soul is in Allah’s Hand. It is an end with a nostalgia of feelings – once we are here, we must go there one day. While relishing on the life well lived, we are pained by the demise of such a valuable soul to humanity. No other sermon can be as effective to all ears than emphasis on the certainty of death to admonish for good conduct. Consolation is only to those who lived a good life.

As unavoidable as it is, when it touches and takes some souls, the living cannot but feel the pain of such exit. Indeed death is a transition to glory through pains.

The death of Justice Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore, JCA, would remain a hole in the hearts of many people who came in contact with him. I can say with certainty that there is hardly a person who came in contact with him who would not have one or two pleasant things to say about him.

My first ever encounter with him was in my 400 level in 1999 when I was the Executive President of Ilorin Emirate Students’ Union at University of Ilorin. As a Union, we needed to hold our annual week celebration and we needed to visit some of our fathers for guidance, counseling and donations. He was about the first person we visited.

He didn’t particularly know me nor any of my executives prior to that day, we just “barged” straight into his residence in GRA, Ilorin, to see him. When we introduced ourselves and was told to come in, he didn’t just allow us into his house, he also hosted us to a knowledge sharing session for over three hours. He was one of the inspirations that encouraged us to do some more meaningful, unique and qualitative as a Students’ Union.

His counseling was so impactful that it changed my mindset from the annual banneret that we used to launch every year then, to producing a Magazine/Journal to tell the story of Ilorin Emirate as a people and a community. That was what gave birth to the maiden edition of “The Spring” of IESU in 1999. It didn’t end there, he donated handsomely to our programme.

I bear witness that Justice Ahmad Belgore carried a different shade of altruism. He was born with a silver spoon, yet, he would dine with everyone regardless of your class and status. His love for Islam and Ilorin was unequal. His passion for community development was default by nature.

Justice Ahmad Belgore was a Jurist with decency of conscience. He journeyed the delicate profession of adjudication with distinction. He came out unblemished.

He was an incredibly tolerant, calm, generous, religious and extremely patient man. His propensity to generosity would almost make you think he had more than he was giving, yet, he was undoubtedly incorruptible. And yet, he would never make public his generosity to a third party. He was such a responsible gentleman.

If you were lucky to meet him, rest assured, you were meeting a man with credentials of completeness in piety. He was a sound Justice with a touch of clericalism. He was very much on top but will never raise his shoulders in arrogance to anybody. He was accessible to all and sundry, yet, not gullible.

You cannot visit him without benefitting atleast one thing from him. If he did not give you money, whether you asked him for it or not, he must bless you with a verse of prayer that will live with you forever. I only met him twice in his life time. The first was in 1999 when we visited as a Union along with Mayo AbdulRasheed. The second was with Lukman Erubu in 2023 in his residence in Asokoro, Abuja. Both meetings were very fruitful. I will remain grateful to him for the impact his words have in me till today.

There is no doubt that Justice Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore stood the test of honour through which the cognomen of his name continues to attract the admiration of many. He was a paragon of honour who represented his descent most decently.

Ya Allahu! You are the Creator of all souls and the Owner of our souls. It was your decision that this noble man will transition at this period. Please, forgive the shortcomings of this wonderful man, ease his test in the grave, and grant him Aljanah Firdausi, Ameena Ya Allahu. I pray Almighty Allah to grant the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, Amin.