…says Nigerian Legal Icon Shares Similarities with Martin Luther King Jr. as MLK Day Celebrations Kick Off Across the US, January 19, 2026.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day, also Known as MLK Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. This holiday honours Dr. King’s birthday and legacy, which is a significant part of the Civil Rights Movement, it serves as a day of remembrance for Dr. King’s contributions to civil rights, human rights and peace.
This year’s celebration comes up on Monday, January 19 with the focus on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
The President of the indigenous group, Hon. Joe Olugbamila said that Aare Afe Babalola, a renowned Nigerian lawyer and philanthropist, and Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic American civil rights leader, may have operated in different contexts, but their dedication to empowering marginalized communities and promoting social justice is undeniable.
He noted that Aare Afe Babalola’s legacy is resonating alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations in the US and highlighted the shared values of justice, equality, and education of the two world leaders, with one dream.
‘’ In a striking display of shared values, I want to tell you that these two influential leaders, Aare Afe Babalola and Martin Luther King Jr., have striking similarities in their commitment to justice, equality, and education.
Both leaders fought tirelessly for justice and equality, with Aare Afe Babalola working to improve Nigeria’s legal system and Martin Luther King Jr. leading the charge against racial segregation in the US. Also, Aare Afe Babalola an advocate of sound education, founded Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) to increase access to quality education, while Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized education’s role in empowering African American communities,’’ olugbamila remarked.
Hon. Olugbamila called on the Ekiti State Assembly to recognize Afe Babalola’s contributions, by passing a bill that will declare Afe Babalola Day Celebration statewide.
According to him, Government offices, schools, and financial institutions will be closed on January 19, including the stock market and bond markets to celebrate MLK Day to show you how much the government of the United States cherished his contributions, I don’t see any reason while our government can not do the same for our Baba.
He appealed to the Ekiti State Government to celebrate Afe Babalola’s legacy while he’s still alive, emphasizing the importance of honoring Afe Babalola’s achievements during his lifetime.
“It’s time to celebrate Afe Babalola while he’s alive and can feel the love and appreciation of the people.
‘’Afe Babalola’s legacy is a testament to the power of hard work, integrity, and compassion,” Olugbamila said. “Declaring Afe Babalola Day would inspire Ekiti youth, honor his legacy, and promote community service and philanthropy,” he said
Also, the Secretary of the Association, Hajia Opeyemi Oni also spoke on the Philanthropy and Community gesture of both leaders as reflected in the cooperative societies established by Aare Afe Babalola to support low-income earners and Martin Luther King Jr. advocacy for community service and volunteerism.
She explained further that both leaders demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, inspiring others to work towards a common goal.
‘’Aare Bamofin Afe Babalola and Martin Luther King Jr. both overcame adversity, if you are familiar with the early life of both men, you will discover that they both faced significant challenges in their lives, including poverty. Aare Afe Babalola rose from a humble farming background to become a renowned lawyer and educator, while Martin Luther King Jr. faced intense opposition and racism in his fight for civil rights’’. She said.
The coalition’s call has sparked widespread support, with many calling for the Ekiti State Assembly to recognize Afe Babalola’s contributions.
