STEWARDSHIP

‘NO REFORM WITHOUT COLLATERAL DAMAGE,’ SAYS AKPATA

  • VOWS THAT TCCP DID THEIR BEST

The immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has stated that no association that is keen on reforms can achieve results without disagreement and collateral damage.

In his valedictory message to NBA members, Akpata stated that “Our stance on certain issues may also have been viewed differently by others, but overall, I am convinced that any leadership that seeks to uphold standards, is committed to reforms, and wants to make meaningful progress would be unable to do so without some disagreement and collateral damage.”

He also gave himself a pat on the back for his two-year stewardship as NBA President, saying: “I do not pretend that we could not have done more, but I am pleased with how far we have come, even if I say so myself.”

He had earlier explained the circumstances leading to the shortage of conference materials for the just concluded NBA Annual General Conference, urging NBA members to “show some empathy to the TCCP who did their best in the circumstance.”

Akpata had yesterday handed the mantle of leadership to Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN at a well-attended Inauguration Ceremony held in Lagos.

Below is the full text of the statement.

To view highlights of his stewardship, click here.

As I take a bow: An Account of Service and a Note of Appreciation

My Dear Colleague,

I am writing to let you know that this is the last email that you would be receiving from me as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). This afternoon, the two-year mandate that you graciously gave me to serve as President of the NBA would come to an end. I am grateful to you and all other members of our great Association for the confidence that was reposed in me.

When I sought your mandate two years ago, it was clear to me that we needed to take the NBA on a different trajectory from where it was travelling. I had envisioned an Association that would be value adding to its members and the society. One which, as I often described it, has “utilitarian” value. I am pleased that many aspects of that vision have been, while others are being, realised. With your support, we have not only done much, but also created an implementable blueprint for the Association, which we hope can be followed in keeping our Association and profession on track. On that note, I wish the new team led by Y.C Maikyau, SAN the best on their sojourn, and I am confident that they will sustain the tempo and drive to completion those policies that we, for time and other reasons, could not.

Having completed our mandate, I believe that it is only proper to provide you with an account of our service. A highlight of some of our activities and achievements over the last two years even in the face of numerous challenges is attached and can also be found here (https://nigerianbar.org.ng/selected-highlights-olumide-akpatas-scorecard-nba-president-2020-2022). I do not pretend that we could not have done more, but I am pleased with how far we have come, even if I say so myself.

I am grateful to you for the fine combination of National Officers that you elected to serve with me. Both individually and as a team, we have made mistakes (and learnt from them), had a few disagreements and agreed on most, and taken decisions that may not have been acceptable to all. Our stance on certain issues may also have been viewed differently by others, but overall, I am convinced that any leadership that seeks to uphold standards, is committed to reforms, and wants to make meaningful progress would be unable to do so without some disagreement and collateral damage.

I also appreciate the leadership and members of all the Committees of the NBA that we set up to decentralize the functions at the NBA and to drive our vision. But for their altruistic service and sacrifice to the Bar, we would not have achieved much. I am equally grateful to my in-house advisory and support team and all those who did a great job at ensuring that we stayed on course in delivering on our promises.

Lastly, many thanks to my Partners and colleagues at my law firm – Templars- for allowing me time off these last two years to focus fully on the selfless task of serving the Bar – our Bar.

As I take a bow, I hope that our paths cross again, but until then it has truly been a pleasure serving you.

OLUMIDE AKPATA
Senior Partner
TEMPLARS

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 13, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ISAAC OGBAH HAILS JUSTICE ODILI ON SUPREME COURT STEWARDSHIP

ISAAC OGBAH HAILS JUSTICE ODILI ON SUPREME COURT STEWARDSHIP

Mr. Isaac Ogbah, FICMC has congratulated His Lordship, Honourable Justice, Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC on her 70th year birthday celebrations and retirement from the Supreme Court. 

His words: “His Lordship was undoubtedly, an erudite and disciplined member of the highest Bench, who has by years of service both at the Bar and at the Bench, contributed immeasurably to upholding the sanctity of the Constitution and the fundamental principles of democracy in the eyes of a reasonable man.

“It is indeed an honour well deserving to celebrate you as you successfully retire from an accomplished service to the judiciary and the Nigerian nation at large.

“You have made great strides and stamped your name in the good history of our land. Your well researched and erudite judgments have contributed immensely to the jurisprudence of our legal system. Surely, you have left your prints in the sands of time that generations would ever celebrate you for.

“We are proud of you and we celebrate you dearly, now and always.”

Isaac Omuta Ogba, FICMC

Editor-in Chief, EJSC

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‘WE MUST PROTECT, PROJECT RULE OF LAW,’ – ALEX MUOKA

The Rule of Law is sacrosanct in any democratic Society. Consequently, it must be protected and projected at all times. The entrenchment of the Rule of Law in Nigeria is in our interest because the Law and legal practitioners can only thrive where the Rule of Law thrives.

It is instructive that the motto of the Nigerian Bar Association is “Promoting the Rule of Law”. In line with this, the very first aim and objective of our great Association is the “Maintenance and defence of the integrity and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary in Nigeria”, and many of the other objects speak to the role of the Association in promoting the efficient administration of justice, law reform, legal aid and access to courts, and respect for fundamental rights.

The NBA is widely regarded as the premier non-state actor in the constant battle for the promotion of the rule of law, and it is important in 2020 to put forward a bar leadership that will help to restore our pride of place as ‘the bastion of hope for the common man’. I propose to ensure this by working with the NBA President, national officers and other stakeholders to:

a) Ensure that the Rule of Law is upheld by State actors;

b) Champion public interest litigation to protect the rights of citizens and members from abuse;

c) Support the advocacy for implementation of fiscal independence for the Nigeria judiciary;

d) Liaise with the judiciary and offer support to facilitate the efficient administration of justice in Nigeria;

e) Sensitize lawyers and the general public by organizing workshops, conferences and summits on human rights and the rule of law;

f) Offer leadership and a focal rallying point to all Nigerians and relevant institutions in defending and expanding the frontiers of the Rule of Law;

g) Strengthen the Pro Bono and legal aid programmes of the NBA to make their impact felt (especially) by indigent members of the society; and

h) Propose a “legislative desk” for the NBA at the National Assembly which shall be saddled with the task of legislative advocacy, monitoring and liaising with the law makers in the task of enacting laws.

The NBA must live up to its name and reputation, and I will like to play my part. If you elect me as General Secretary of the NBA, I Pledge to serve with the passion, integrity and efficiency for which I am well known, and to pursue this and five (5) other Core Pursuits which I have elaborated on in MY MANIFESTO to deliver a ‘Fit For Purpose’ Bar Secretariat. My Profile and Manifesto have been uploaded by the ECNBA and can be viewed at (or downloaded from) https://nigerianbar.org.ng/node/257.

I will place my time, energy, talents, experience and resources at the disposal of the Bar for the next two years, and offer the kind of premium stewardship which the Bar definitely needs at this time. The Bar needs a great scribe. I have been tried, tested and adjudged to be one.

I seek your mandate. Let’s do this together.

Alexander Nduka MUOKA
Candidate for General Secretary of the NBA