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Tax Ombud reaffirms commitment to staff training, strengthening Nigeria’s tax administration

The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr John Nwabueze, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to staff capacity building towards promoting fairness, transparency and trust in Nigeria’s tax and revenue administration system, stressing that public confidence remains central to building an efficient and sustainable revenue system.

Dr Nwabueze stated this at the opening of a three-day Management Retreat of the Office of the Tax Ombud, in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

He said the establishment of the Office was in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen tax administration through effective mediation and the prompt, amicable resolution of disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

According to him, the Office is committed to ensuring that taxpayers have access to an independent and impartial platform where their complaints can be addressed without unnecessary delays or financial burden.

Dr Nwabueze disclosed that the Office was intensifying efforts to create public awareness about its existence, mandate and services. He also revealed that discussions were underway to establish a collaboration with the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) to extend the reach of the Tax Ombud’s services to every local government area in the country.

He said the retreat, themed ‘Leading with Purpose: Strengthening Leadership and Delivering Sustainable Excellence,’ was designed to provide an opportunity for management to re-examine the organisation’s mandate, clarify its strategic vision and ensure that its leadership team remained aligned in pursuing its institutional objectives.

The Tax Ombud charged staff to make discipline, diligence and courtesy the cornerstones of their professional conduct, emphasising that the organisation’s success should not be measured merely by the number of complaints handled but by the level of confidence and trust it inspires in Nigeria’s tax system.

‘The ultimate measure of our success is not simply the number of cases we resolve, but the confidence we build, the trust we restore and the positive difference we make in the relationship between taxpayers and revenue authorities,’ he said.

In his remarks, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Almond Bob, commended the Federal Government’s tax reforms, noting that they were aimed not only at improving revenue generation but also at addressing longstanding systemic challenges in tax administration.

The Governor thanked the Office of the Tax Ombud for choosing Akwa Ibom State as the venue for the retreat, noting that his administration was implementing measures to promote enterprise, improve the business environment and ease the burden of doing business in the state.

He identified the introduction of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and a consolidated tax collection system as some of the initiatives being pursued by his administration to strengthen public financial management and revenue administration.

Governor Eno also urged the Tax Ombud to consider establishing a presence in Akwa Ibom State, pledging his administration’s support and commitment to ensuring that residents of the state could access the organisation’s services.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Okon Okon, commended the Federal Government’s tax reforms and described the Office of the Tax Ombud as an important institution for promoting fairness, trust and harmony in Nigeria’s tax administration system.

He particularly highlighted the fact that the services of the Tax Ombud are provided entirely free of charge, describing this as a significant relief to taxpayers and revenue authorities seeking an impartial platform for resolving tax-related grievances.

Mr Okon noted that the Office’s intervention would help strengthen constructive engagement between taxpayers and tax authorities, thereby contributing to a more transparent, accountable and effective revenue administration system.

The three-day retreat is expected to strengthen institutional leadership, deepen management alignment and enhance the capacity of the Office to deliver on its statutory mandate of protecting taxpayer rights and promoting fairness and accountability in tax and revenue administration.

LIST: 11 Ate Gay song mash-ups that brought laughter to many

Comedian Gil Aducal Morales, popularly known as Ate Gay, who entertained audiences with his mash-ups of popular Filipino and international songs, died on Sunday evening, Nov. 1.

He was 55.

His family confirmed his death in a Facebook post on his official page, two days after announcing that the comedian was in critical condition and relying on life support following septic shock, acute respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia, and stroke.

‘It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of our beloved Gil Aducal Morales, lovingly known to many as Ate Gay, on November 1, 2026,’ the family said.

‘After bravely fighting for his life, while surrounded by his family, our beloved Ate Gay has peacefully passed away,’ they added.

Beyond his comedy, Ate Gay became particularly popular for his unconventional musical mash-ups, combining familiar songs with entirely different melodies and lyrics to create unexpected, often memorable performances.

His signature style brought together OPM classics, international pop hits, novelty songs, and even Christmas tunes, with seemingly unrelated lyrics flowing into one another through his distinctive delivery.

As he often jokingly recounted in his comedic performances, his signature mash-ups supposedly stemmed from a childhood experience of his mother constantly switching radio stations, leaving him to hear snippets of different songs one after another.

The amusing anecdote became a fitting explanation for his unconventional musical style, in which he seamlessly blended lyrics and melodies from seemingly unrelated hits.

Among his memorable song mash-ups were:

On My Own and Pangako

On my own…hindi kita iiwan, pangakong I walk with him ’til morning…without him…hindi ka na mag-iisa…and when I lose my way I close my eyes…tayong dalawa.

Nandito Ako and Till I met You

Nandito akong…this feeling seems to grow more every day, I love you more each day, huwag kang mag-alala, may nagmamahal sa’yo, till I met you.

Inuman Na and Bonggahan

Tama na ‘yan, inuman na…forget mo na ang problema.

Clumsy and Paskong Anong Saya

You got me trippin’ (oh), stumblin’ (oh)…Paskong anong saya. Happy New Year! Happy New Year!

Kahit Ayaw Mo Na and Awit Ng Barkada

Tatakbo, tatalon…ang barkada mong tunay aawit sa’yo…iisipin na lang…na ang buhay kung minsan ay nagbibiro.

If You Walked Away and Maging Sino Ka Man

If you walk away from me today…tiwala sa isa’t isa’y kailangan.

If I Were A Boy and Ako’y Isang Pinoy

If I were a boy…sa puso’t diwa.

Despacito and Eat Bulaga!

Despacito…Vic at Joey, ang barkada’y dumarami.

Hawak Kamay and Para Sa’yo Ang Laban Na’to

Hawak kamay…ang laban na ‘to.

Babae Po Ako and Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin

Di ako bakla klah klah klah klah klah, Di ako shokla klah klah klah klah klah, nililinlang ka lang ng ‘yong paningin…nagmamahal pa rin sa’yo giliw.

Secret Love Song and Little Drummer Boy

When you hold me in the street…pa rum pum pum pum.

Morales’ family said details of his wake and funeral arrangements would be announced soon. ‘We kindly ask for your continued prayers for his eternal repose and for strength and comfort for our grieving family,’ the family said.

Boycott 2027 polls if violence continues, AAC urges opposition parties

African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo has urged opposition parties and democratic forces across Nigeria to consider a collective boycott of the 2027 general elections if the government and security agencies cannot guarantee safety for political actors and citizens.

The party said the escalating atmosphere of violence, intimidation and political thuggery surrounding campaign and electoral activities has made meaningful participation dangerous.

In a statement signed by its Oyo State Chairman, Kayode Babayomi, the AAC said elections should be a contest of ideas, policies and visions for the future, not a platform for political actors and their supporters to unleash violence, terrorise opponents and threaten lives.

He said incidents of physical attacks, intimidation and threats to lives and property during campaign activities raise serious concerns about the safety, credibility and integrity of the electoral process.

Babayomi specifically cited the recent attack on the party’s Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, saying it must not be dismissed as a mere political disagreement or altercation.

He said a meaningful democratic election cannot occur when opposition voices are silenced through violence and intimidation.

‘Participation should never mean surrendering our lives to political violence,’ he said.

The AAC demanded that authorities immediately investigate the alleged assassination attempt on Sowore and identify and prosecute those responsible, as well as their sponsors, regardless of political affiliation.

He warned that democracy must not become a battlefield where the strongest political thugs dictate who can participate and who can survive.

‘What we are currently witnessing is troubling and alarming. An election should not be a platform for political actors and their supporters to unleash violence, terrorize opponents, and threaten the lives of citizens.

‘Every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, has the fundamental right to campaign, organize, express political opinions, and participate in the democratic process without the fear of being attacked or killed.

‘There must be a genuine commitment to protecting all Nigerians. Voter apathy should not result from the fear of violence.

‘The right to participate in an election must come with a guarantee of personal safety; without that guarantee, the credibility of the entire electoral process is questionable. We cannot legitimize a process that fails to ensure the safety of its participants.

‘Democracy must be protected, and human lives must take precedence over political ambitions,’ Babayomi added.

How EU’s digital omnibus offers Kenya a lesson in regulating AI

The European Union’s Digital Omnibus marks a significant development in the global debate on regulating artificial intelligence (AI) without stifling innovation and competitiveness.

On November 19, 2025, the European Commission unveiled its Digital Omnibus Package, describing it as an effort to simplify the EU’s digital rulebook rather than deregulate. It seeks to reduce administrative costs, duplication and regulatory friction while preserving fundamental rights, data protection, safety and fairness.

The package covers AI, data and cybersecurity, proposing streamlined compliance and reporting requirements and simpler implementation of the AI Act. It reflects growing concerns that regulatory fragmentation could undermine Europe’s investment, innovation and productivity. The challenge is to maintain strong safeguards without making regulation an obstacle to technological growth.

This experience offers important lessons for Kenya as it implements its National AI Strategy 2025-2030, built around three pillars: AI digital infrastructure; data and AI governance; and AI research, innovation and commercialisation.

First, Kenya should adopt proportionate, risk-based regulation. Compliance costs can disproportionately affect smaller businesses. Start-ups should not face the same regulatory burden as multinational technology companies deploying high-risk AI systems at scale.

Obligations should reflect an organisation’s capacity and the potential risks of each application, allowing local innovators room to experiment and compete while protecting consumers.

Second, Kenya must avoid regulatory duplication. AI is increasingly used in banking, healthcare, telecommunications, transport and insurance. Introducing additional approval layers for every deployment could increase costs without improving accountability. Existing sector regulators should oversee AI applications within their mandates, working alongside data protection authorities.

Third, regulatory sandboxes should become practical tools rather than policy slogans. Supervised testing environments would allow developers to identify algorithmic bias, privacy breaches, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and consumer protection risks before commercial deployment. They would also help regulators build technical expertise and understand emerging technologies.

Fourth, implementation should be phased to reflect local readiness. Regulators, businesses and public institutions need adequate time to develop technical skills, infrastructure, standards and enforcement capacity. Even well-designed legislation can fail without the institutional capacity to implement it effectively.

Kenyan businesses must also consider the cross-border implications.

Companies providing technology, outsourcing, data-processing and digital services to European clients may increasingly face expectations to comply with EU AI and data requirements.

These developments therefore have implications beyond Europe.

Kaduna Boosts School Enrolment To 2.57m In 2025 – Uba Sani

Kaduna State has increased basic school enrolment from 2.17 million in 2022 to more than 2.57 million in 2025, Governor Uba Sani has said.

The governor disclosed this through his deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, at the close-out event of the UK-funded Partnership for Learning for All in Nigerian Education (PLANE) programme in Kaduna.

He said the achievement reflected the state government’s commitment to expanding access to education and ensuring that more children had the opportunity to acquire basic education.

Sani called on state governments to sustain the gains recorded under PLANE, stressing that the programme’s closure should not lead to a reversal of progress in education.

‘PLANE has done its part. It is now up to us, the state governments, to keep the progress going and to make sure that every child in our respective states has the opportunity to go to school and learn,’ he said.

The governor said the programme had made significant contributions to improving access to education, particularly for vulnerable children and those affected by emergencies.

He urged stakeholders to continue investing in education and strengthening systems that would improve school enrolment, attendance and learning outcomes.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, said PLANE had reached more than two million children and supported the training of over 25,000 teachers and facilitators across northern Nigeria since its launch in 2019.

He said the programme had strengthened education policies, systems and institutions at federal and state levels.

Ministry of ICT urges varsities to end multinationals’ reliance on foreign tech

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and National Guidance has called on Soroti University to position itself at the forefront of the country’s technological revolution, cautioning that major multinational corporations operating in Uganda continue to import software solutions that local public universities have the capacity to develop.

Speaking on Friday during an interface with students from the School of Engineering and Technology at Soroti University-located six kilometers from Soroti City along the Soroti-Moroto road-Mr. Amos Mpungu, the acting Commissioner for E-Services at the Ministry of ICT, underscored the need for local institutions to commercialize their intellectual capacity.

Mr. Mpungu expressed concern that financial and telecommunications giants in the country rely on external expertise for services that domestic students can deliver.

‘We wish to see Soroti University create innovations that are useful to the public. There is no reason why multi-billion companies operating in the country should source for soft technology that should ideally be a monopoly of our own students,’ Mr. Mpungu said, citing entities such as Stanbic Bank, MTN, and Airtel as examples of organizations sourcing solutions abroad despite local potential.

He noted that while the ministry has partnered with several public universities to establish innovation hubs aimed at fostering problem-solving technologies, the primary hurdle remains transitioning those concepts into viable commercial products.

‘Under entrepreneurship and innovation, the Ministry of ICT has partnered with a few universities by setting up innovation hubs where students can come up with innovations that are useful for the public. However, one of the challenges is that we have not learnt how to harness the intellectual property that we have to be able to generate money out of it. The problem that we have is attracting funding, where you get people to grow your innovation. Innovation is not the problem, but scaling it to the market is where the challenge lies,’ Mr. Mpungu explained.

To address these market gaps, the ministry is collaborating with international partners to expand global market access for local tech firms. Mr. Shimpei Watanabe, an ICT industry promotion expert attached to the Ministry of ICT through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), revealed that initiatives are underway to bridge Ugandan and Japanese technology sectors.

According to Mr. Watanabe, the ICT ministry requested JICA’s partnership to drive technological transformation through innovation hubs established at Soroti, Muni, Busitema, and Mbarara universities. These institutions are currently working to design targeted solutions for domestic challenges in health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

‘The Ugandan ICT industry is promising to be one of the best in the world; all that is needed is commitment from all stakeholders,’ Mr. Watanabe said.

Academic leaders at the university urged students to adopt a practical, commercial mindset to tackle pressing national needs. Dr. Florence Favor, senior lecturer and deputy dean at the School of Engineering and Technology, advised students against keeping their technical ideas dormant.

‘Students should not remain cagey with their ideas. These concepts must be translated into real solutions, money-value output, and job creation. Before graduating, every student at the School of Engineering and Technology should have at least five working innovations intended for public use,’ Dr. Favor stated, urging learners to be solution providers rather than lamenting existing challenges.

Reinforcing the university’s institutional vision, Prof. John Robert Ikoja Odongo, Vice Chancellor of Soroti University, emphasized that building a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem is a national priority.

‘A strategic national imperative ensures that Uganda doesn’t merely generate ideas, but protects, develops, and translates them into technologies, enterprises, employment, and measurable public value,’ Prof. Ikoja said.

He further appealed to JICA and the Ministry of ICT to establish and fully equip a dedicated ICT incubation hub at the university, equipped with mentorship programs, prototyping facilities, enterprise development support, and direct industry linkages necessary to transition student and researcher concepts from the laboratory to the commercial market.

Baguio council seeks report on P225-M Camp John Hay claim vs BCDA

The city council is seeking a detailed accounting of Camp John Hay’s business tax collections and the city’s estimated P225-million claim for unpaid rentals and revenue shares from the property.

In a statement Sunday (Nov. 1), the city council discussed the matter during its recent regular session, when Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. asked City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias why revenues from Camp John Hay locators were not separately reflected in the city’s revenue presentation.

Cabarrubias explained that business taxes paid by Camp John Hay locators were already included in the city’s overall business tax collections. He agreed to extract the figures and submit a separate report to the council.

The discussion also covered the city’s pending claim of approximately P225 million in unpaid rentals dating back to 2014.

Cabarrubias clarified that the amount was separate from the P1.4-billion figure involving former developer Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo).

City Accountant Fredda Jimenez said the city had insufficient basis to recognize the P225-million claim as a receivable but could disclose it in the notes to its financial statements. She also agreed to provide supporting reports to the council.

Cabarrubias further reported that collections from businesses in special economic zones had reached around P213 million as of Sept. 30, 2026, based on their income tax returns.

Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan also asked whether Camp John Hay locators had started paying business permit fees following the Supreme Court decision involving the property. Cabarrubias confirmed that the city resumed collecting payments from locators last year.

He said some businesses had requested until December to settle their business taxes because of the amounts involved, with written agreements allowing them additional time to pay. The City Treasurer’s Office had also issued demand letters following the Supreme Court decision.

Councilor Jose Molintas raised concerns over locators that had left Camp John Hay without settling their obligations. He said the council would invite representatives of the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to a future session to discuss the matter.

The P225-million claim forms part of the city’s longstanding demand for compliance with Conditionalities 9 and 10 of City Council Resolution 362-1994, which provide for the city’s share from gross income and lease rentals generated within the John Hay Special Economic Zone. In November 2025, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the City Legal Office was preparing a complaint against BCDA over the alleged non-implementation of the 19 conditionalities imposed by the city in 1994.

Lanao del Sur farmers get climate-resilient rice farming training

Around 200 rice farmers from Maguing and Poona Bayabao in Lanao del Sur received fertilizer assistance after participating in a training program on improving rice production and adapting to climate change, particularly the effects of El Niño.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur, through its Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg), conducted the training on the PalayCheck System as part of its flagship agriculture and livelihood program.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the provincial government said the participants received either urea or complete fertilizer to support their rice production.

Last week’s training covered farmer profiling, pre- and post-training assessments, and cost and return analysis to help farmers improve their knowledge and adopt more effective rice farming practices.

It also focused on climate-resilient agricultural techniques to prepare farmers for changing weather conditions and the potential impact of El Niño on their crops and livelihoods.

The provincial government acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), represented by Agriculturist I Baimona Ditual, and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Asral Barauntong, particularly in the fertilizer distribution.

In Poona Bayabao, MAFAR Agricultural Technologist Zenaida Daud and Municipal Information Officer Mojib Romero also underscored the importance of training in helping farmers deal with the effects of El Niño.

‘Through this initiative, OPAg continues to promote improved rice production and climate-resilient farming practices to help sustain farmers’ livelihoods,’ the provincial government said.

The program is part of the provincial government’s efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and support farmers through technical training and farm inputs.

Military says NPA leader killed in South Cotabato encounter

A high-ranking communist instructor wanted for attempted homicide was killed in a legitimate law enforcement operation in South Cotabato last week, the military announced, directly contradicting rebel assertions that the man was an ailing, unarmed retiree allegedly executed by state forces.

The conflicting narratives center on the October 30 death of 60-year-old Noel Pamaong in Barangay Silway 8, Polomolok town.

In an official Facebook post of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) Saturday, October 31, it said that Pamaong – known in the underground movement as ‘Lauro’ or ‘Santi’ – was a dangerous fugitive who headed the Regional Instructors Bureau of the New People’s Army (NPA).

According to the 6ID, joint elements of the army and police moved in to serve a July 2023 arrest warrant for multiple attempted homicide when the encounter occurred at around 8:30 p.m.

Authorities said they recovered a .45-caliber pistol and a hand grenade from the scene.

But for the National Democratic Front-Far South Mindanao Region (NDF-FSMR), Pamaong was hors de combat – a former combatant ‘entirely incapable of fighting’ due to severe ailments, including chronic kidney disease, rheumatism, and diabetes.

In an email to the Inquirer Monday, November 2, NDF-FSMR spokesperson Kim Montiza vehemently denied military claims of a shootout, stating Pamaong had been inactive and living with the masses since 2024.

Montiza accused state forces of planting the pistol and grenade to legitimize an ‘overkill’ operation, noting that Pamaong was simply traveling to visit a relative.

His civilian companion and driver, Laurence Porras, was also shot during the raid and remains in critical condition.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central, lauded the operation, emphasizing the tight coordination between the 1st Mechanized Brigade, the 603rd Infantry Brigade, and the South Cotabato provincial police.

Catu credited the active support of local residents in helping authorities track the fugitive and neutralize the security threat.

The NDF, however, maintains the raid was a blatant violation of International Humanitarian Law and is calling on human rights advocates to launch an independent investigation into the killing.

CJ Gesmundo: Humility in greatness

I may have intuitively, though fearlessly, foretold the ascent of Alexander G. Gesmundo to the highest post in our judiciary. On Jan. 6, 2006, in my cluttered chamber as the two-week-old chief justice (CJ), I inducted him as a new Sandiganbayan magistrate. After formally administering his oath of office with both of us in our official robes, I matter-of-factly offered him my seat so he could sign his appointment papers. Spontaneously, I told the inductee whom I had never met before, ‘Please, sit down on my chair. One day, you will occupy it.’

AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT, 15 YEARS LATER, on Apr. 5, 2021, he was appointed the 27th chief justice of the Philippines. Remarkably, CJ Gesmundo neither sought his nomination to the post nor coveted the appointment. Though not the most senior or second most senior justice at the time, his ascension was nonetheless accepted by all the justices-a tribute to his modesty, intellectuality, collegiality, and integrity. They knew his ascent did not involve political bargaining or calculated ambition; it was the natural culmination of a life devoted to humility in greatness.

Without fanfare or publicity, he took his oath as the primus inter pares of the Supreme Court before Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe (who normally should have been a shoo-in for the top post), with the Court en banc as witnesses. Unlike prior chiefs who were sworn in by the President at Malacañang, this act of independence from the appointing authority endeared him to his colleagues.

Over the years, CJ Alex and I have grown quite fond of each other. At my request, he has faithfully chaired the board of judges of the legal scholarship program of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity (FLP) for five years since his appointment. Graciously, he welcomed the finalists into the inner sanctum of the Supreme Court-a privilege reserved for a select few-where he and the board conducted their interviews. Even beyond that, he inspired the interviewees to champion liberty and prosperity under the rule of law, a legal philosophy he shares with FLP.

HE INHERITED A JUDICIARY BESET BY THE RAVAGES of the pandemic and a huge backlog of cases. Undaunted, he spearheaded a reform agenda called the ‘Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027,’ a five-year blueprint to guide the judiciary toward case decongestion, enhanced legal education, technology-driven court processes, coupled with a steadfast protection of constitutional rights.

Though passionate in forging digital transformation, he nonetheless always stressed that technology is merely a means; justice for our people remains the ultimate end. Thus, he pioneered the Court’s framework on ‘human-centered augmented intelligence’ to ensure that innovation supports, rather than supplants, human judgment.

Anchored on this vision, he ensured the accessibility and responsiveness of the courts to ordinary citizens. As he so simply but eloquently summarized, ‘[t]he majesty of the [Supreme] Court shines clearest and brightest in our devotion to rendering justice swiftly, without fear or favor.’

A brief survey of his key decisions reveals a passion for substantive justice over technicality. He consistently interpreted the law to humanize it. In People v. Pagal (Sept. 29, 2020, en banc)-in which he acquitted the accused of murder despite his guilty plea-CJ Gesmundo opened his ponencia with a quote from Cicero, asserting that essential justice for the poor transcends the immense power of the state to prosecute.

Truly, the words of justices carry a god-like finality, immortalized in jurisprudence, read, debated, and admired (or despised) long after they pass from this Earth. Despite this rather intoxicating power, CJ Alex kept to his characteristic humility and relied on his conscience and private prayers to guide his every decision.

NOTABLY, HE FOSTERED COLLEGIALITY IN THE COURT. He listened intently to his peers, welcomed divergent views, and did not impose his will. When tempers flared during difficult debates, he would quietly arbitrate to preserve institutional unity.

His modest, selfless approach to leadership stems from his reverence for the office. Indeed, he views his headship more as a divine calling and less as a worldly achievement. True, he did not seek the top office in the judiciary, but our country is infinitely better because he accepted the call to it. Surrendering to a duty larger than himself, he personified the constitutional duty of ‘proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.’

On Nov. 5, CJ Alex will reach the compulsory retirement age of 70 and regain his freedom after his long exile on the quiet, secluded peaks of Mount Olympus. I am personally delighted that he has accepted his election as an FLP trustee, effective Nov. 6.

As president of the association of retired justices, I will gladly welcome him as the most junior member of our group. Our retired (but not retarded) colleagues will join him in pursuing personal passions or hearing his quiet reflections about the high office he once held-remembering the humility with which he served it, and the greatness with which he left it.