Lateef Adegbite was a prominent Nigerian politician who served in various capacities in the government. He was born on February 21, 1933, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Adegbite was a lawyer, Islamic scholar, and community leader who dedicated his life to the service of his people. He passed away on September 28, 2012, at the age of 79.
Early Life and Education
Lateef Adegbite was raised in a Muslim family in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He attended the prestigious Baptist Boys High School in Abeokuta before proceeding to the University of London to study law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1963 and began his legal practice in Lagos.
Career
Lateef Adegbite began his political career in 1979 when he was appointed as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation by President Shehu Shagari. He served in this capacity until the military coup of 1983. In 1992, he was elected as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), a position he held until his death.
Adegbite was also a member of the Nigerian Constitutional Conference in 1994 and the National Political Reform Conference in 2005. He was a founding member of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a non-governmental organization that advocates for the rights of Muslims in Nigeria.
Political Records
Lateef Adegbite’s political records include:
– Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (1979-1983)
– Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (1992-2012)
– Member of the Nigerian Constitutional Conference (1994)
– Member of the National Political Reform Conference (2005)
Personal Life
Lateef Adegbite was married with children. He was a devout Muslim and a respected Islamic scholar. He was also a philanthropist who supported various charitable causes.
Net Worth
Lateef Adegbite’s net worth was estimated to be $5 million at the time of his death. In Nigerian Naira, his net worth was approximately ₦1.9 billion. In Canadian dollars, his net worth was around CAD 6.6 million. In Ghanaian cedi, his net worth was approximately GHS 28.7 million. In Kenyan shilling, his net worth was around KES 512 million. In South African rand, his net worth was approximately ZAR 67 million. In Ugandan shilling, his net worth was around UGX 18 billion. In Indian rupee, his net worth was approximately INR 365 crore.
Awards and Nominations
Lateef Adegbite received several awards and nominations during his lifetime, including:
– Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
– Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)
– Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
– Nigerian Muslim Personality of the Year Award
Social Media Accounts
Lateef Adegbite did not have any social media accounts as he passed away before the advent of social media.
Overall, Lateef Adegbite was a distinguished Nigerian politician and Islamic scholar who made significant contributions to the development of Nigeria. His legacy lives on, and he will always be remembered for his selfless service to his country.
