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I am most elated to be present at this formal commencement of the maiden seminar of the Section On Legal Practice of our Association. The reason for this heartfelt satisfaction is due to the fact that the SLP’s counterpart, Section on Business Law [SBL] have held their maiden seminar and two of the committees of the [SBL] have organised mini-seminars, all of which were very successful.
This Seminar is therefore timely because the resolution of the 2003 Enugu Bar Conference, to create two sections for the Association has thus received practical manifestation. Furthermore, in a couple of weeks, a new executive will be elected to steer the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association for 2006-2008. My Executive will take the glory of setting in motion this landmark achievement in consonance with international legal practice. However, I must acknowledge the vision of two former Presidents who preceded me in office for their innovation and foresightedness in this matter.
This Seminar as packaged with the theme: “Legal Practice and Economic prosperity”, is bound to enrich the thrust of legal practice and all participants will gain tremendously from the sessions. The legal profession all over the world is a prosperous and affluent one. The posture of its practitioners very often distinguishes them from all others. It is a noble profession, which creates wealth and economic prosperity, which makes the practitioners to radiate confidence at all times and maintain a dignifying posture.
The present situation where lawyers adorning their bibs and collars are found on okadas, molues or in danfo buses is absolutely unacceptable. The present state of affairs, where law books and law reports are unaffordable by most lawyers is not good for the future of the Profession. This seminar affords us the opportunity to learn first hand, the secret of wealth creation that leads to economic prosperity.
Prof. Fidelis Oditah QC SAN, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN, Paul Usoro SAN, who are all economically prosperous successes and pride to the legal profession, will competently handle these various matters during the course of this Seminar.
The Discussants are also eminent legal practitioners who have made indelible mark in legal practice. The roll call includes Femi Falana, the famous human right activists and President of the West African Bar Association. My senior brother, J. B. Daudu SAN, who is a role model to all of us who practice law in Kaduna is also a discussant. The list includes Oronto Douglas Esq., the immediate past Attorney General of Bayelsa State, is a renowned global scholar on environmental law. Our most distinguished senior Otunba Jimi Oduba SAN, a pioneer maritime practitioner in Nigeria, with lucrative practice in Europe has graciously accepted to be a part of this Seminar. I must mention PrinceYemi Adefulu, whose company Lexis Nexis has continuously supported the NBA in most of its seminars and conferences. A. B. Mahmoud SAN, former Attorney General of Kano State and the Chairman of the forthcoming NBA Conference in Port Harcourt is also here with us. Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN was the Special Guest of Honour at the inauguration of the SLP Committees yesterday, and we were all enriched by his participation.
With this roll call of eminent and distinguished legal scholars and practitioners, this seminar is bound to be very educative, and would likely open “the Pandora Box” containing the secret of the economic success of our chosen celebrities.
While wishing the immediate Past Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais GCON, a comfortable retirement from the Bench, the Bar, once again wants to use this occasion to welcome Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore CON, and wish him a successful tenure in office as the number one judicial citizen of Nigeria.
It is our hope and expectation that the Nigerian Bar Association will continue to be vibrant as a professional body, and will uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at all times. We must ensure that the present democracy is nurtured and allowed to grow, without any hiccups from political players. It is important that the election in 2007 is free and fair and devoid of political rancour and acrimony.
Once again, I welcome you to this Seminar and I wish you fruitful deliberations.
Thank you.
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