In a speech delivered today at the unveiling of office space and other facilities he donated to NBA-SPIDEL, CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN says he will continue to support the Section of which he was the pioneer Chairman

Speech delivered by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN on the occasion of the commissioning of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) Office in Abuja by the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata.

PROTOCOL

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the commissioning ceremony of the new office space of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL); I feel even more honoured by your distinguished presence at this project commissioning. It is indeed a privilege to welcome you all.

The NBA SPIDEL office space project being commissioned today is among the very many humble initiatives towards supporting the NBA’s desire of ensuring the maintenance of public law and order. This is the fulcrum upon which societal development, innovations and economic prosperity are built, nourished and sustained.

As the Pioneer Chairman of the NBA SPIDEL, it is my continued pleasure and singular honour to aid the development and growth of the NBA SPIDEL. More so, if donating an office space will further the gospel of the NBA SPIDEL on maintaining public law and order, then why not?

The NBA SPIDEL as you all may know was established by the NBA following approval for its establishment at her NEC meeting held on November 30, 2006 in Bauchi State, and was officially inaugurated on the December 19, 2006 by the then President of NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON, with me appointed as the pioneer Chairman.

Just like every other body or organization in its infancy, my team and I experienced challenges in designing a structure for the NBA SPIDEL, preaching its vision to members of the Bar, as well as instituting it as a key facet of the NBA. Though enormous, these steps positively impacted the membership and activities of the NBA SPIDEL, and in good time, it rose to reckoning within and outside the NBA.

SPIDEL has come a long way in actualizing the purpose for its establishment. This, in no small measure, was facilitated through conferences, seminars, workshops and several other platforms. All this has set the NBA SPIDEL towards public interest lawyering by which the development of law in Nigeria has been significantly bolstered.

To the glory of God, the NBA SPIDEL now has an office in Abuja. This is to further encourage the commitment of the NBA SPIDEL in continuing to be at the forefront in the fight for justice and the development of law in Nigeria.

As many may already be aware, I had donated two office spaces to SPIDEL, with all complimentary facilities, in the year 2019 with effect from 1st November, 2019 during the tenure of Dr. Paul Ananaba, SAN as Chairman, but SPIDEL did not take over and occupy the spaces at the time. These office spaces lay fallow and unutilised until one of them was donated to an organisation – Vox Populi Foundation. Now that SPIDEL is ready to commence operations from the office, the second office space will be vacated by Vox Populi Foundation next year and additionally handed over to SPIDEL to enlarge the current office.

The office space is one that can be used ex-gratia for as long as the NBA SPIDEL has need for it. In addition to this, the NBA SPIDEL will have access to our S.M.A Belgore Conference Hall on the ground floor which has over 300 sitting capacity; Chief F.R.A Williams SAN Board Room on the 3rd Floor; our eatery – U.M. Jawur Lounge (The Dome) on the 1st floor, Hon Justice M.L. Uwais GCON, CJN (RTD) Library on the 1st floor; HON Justice Niki Tobi Moot Court on the 4th floor; Pent Floor Terrace for social events and our spacious parking lot.

Distinguished gentlemen and invited guests, I pledge to continue remaining in the forefront of propelling the lofty vision of the NBA SPIDEL to greater and better heights. There is also a need for collaboration between the SPIDEL and other Sections (SBL/SLP) of the NBA, wherein I was opportuned to have served as a Pioneer Council Member and Pioneer Vice-Chairman respectively, so that the members of the bar will benefit maximally from their various activities.

Thank you for listening, for your presence, and welcome.

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