The founder of Sam Maris University, Supare-Akoko, Ondo State, Mr. Sam Ologunorisa, SAN, has called on young people to prioritize education, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone for a successful future.

Speaking during the burial ceremony of his late father, Pa Adelabu Ologunorisa, who passed away at the age of 93, Ologunorisa highlighted the transformative power of education in dispelling misconceptions and equipping individuals with the knowledge necessary for informed decision-making.

Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Ologunorisa described Pa Adelabu as a man deeply committed to human capital development and the upliftment of the less privileged in his community.

“Baba’s legacy was rooted in the philosophy of Jeremy Bentham—‘the promotion of the greatest good for the greatest number.’ This principle guided his unwavering dedication to the education of his children and the underprivileged in our community,” he said.

He further recounted his father’s life of discipline and self-sacrifice, noting that Pa Adelabu remained content with the modest mud house he built in 1962, despite having the means to live in a modern home.

“In retrospect, Baba lived a life of spartan self-discipline, marked by contentment and self-abnegation. Even when I attempted to demolish his old home and replace it with a more befitting structure, he resisted, choosing instead to preserve his sentimental attachment to the original building,” Ologunorisa recalled.

Despite constructing a modern house with all the necessary comforts, Pa Adelabu preferred to remain in his original residence, embodying selflessness and humility throughout his lifetime.

“He was egalitarian in spirit yet pragmatic in business, always advocating for a just and equitable society within his sphere of influence,” he added.

Ologunorisa urged young Nigerians to embrace education as a tool for personal and societal advancement, stressing that knowledge remains the most valuable legacy one can inherit or bequeath.