The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), at its just concluded annual conference in Abuja, conferred “Excellent Leadership Award” on the outgoing President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata providing excellent leadership for the Bar in the last two years.
In a chat, the Chairman of Spidel, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani stated that: “Akpata’s leadership style compelled us in SPIDEL to give him the award. It is an award that he wholeheartedly deserves.
“God knows that Nigerians are very grateful people they will naturally appreciate good leaders when they see one. Leaders are advised to understand the reason for seeking for power and try as much as possible to satisfy the demands of their subjects.
“Akpata obviously understand the purpose of ascending the Presidency of the Bar and his achievements could testify for him.
We are proud of him and to really appreciate his achievements, we decided to honour him with the award. We need leaders like Olumide Akpata at the national leadership of the country. It is a prayer point” Ubani stated.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Mr. Olumide Akpata expressed delight with the leadership of SPIDEL and promised to remain a commited member of the Section after leaving office as the NBA President.
“While I am precluded from expressing any preferences for any of the Sections of the NBA by virtue of my office, I must nevertheless state that the NBA-SPIDEL has, especially in the past two years, acquitted itself creditably. One pledge that I must make to NBA-SPIDEL leadership is that even as I take a bow from the leadership of our great organisation, my membership of, and involvement in, NBA-SPIDEL is about to be taken to the next level. As you already know, I am one person who does not fail to keep my promises.
“ Ladies and Gentlemen, it is an understatement to say that Nigeria is currently facing a myriad of challenges. The NBA has followed with great concern the deteriorating state of internal security and the gradual erosion of monopoly of the Nigerian State over the use of force and arms. All over the country, hapless Nigerians are being killed, abducted, or maimed with reckless abandon. From the East to the West, and from the North to the South, we are faced with the grim picture of a country under siege and tottering at the edge of the precipice. Illustrative examples abound.
“While you will agree with me that the war against insecurity is the primary responsibility of the executive arm of government, which superintends over Police and the other State actors, the other arms of government equally have a role to play. For the judiciary, the war against terrorism does not end with the arrest of terror suspects but must end with the prosecution and conviction of those found guilty in accordance with the Constitutional and relevant statutory provisions. For the judiciary to perform this role effectively, the peculiar needs of the judiciary must continually be addressed.
“As the NBA has repeatedly advocated under my administration, the imperatives for an effective judiciary in Nigeria entail the appointment/selection of suitably qualified judges, as well as discipline of the few erring judges; judicial autonomy/independence of the judiciary, which has a direct bearing on the welfare of our judicial officers; and the need to enhance efficiency and efficacy of the justice delivery system, to reduce the chronic delays and congestion of cases in Nigeria. All of these, if addressed, will significantly address the challenges that currently undermine the authority of our judiciary.
“It is against this backdrop that we have gathered for these few days to examine, analyse, and proffer solutions to the various governance issues plaguing Nigeria especially the issues related to the judiciary. For this year’s Conference, NBA-SPIDEL has chosen the theme “The Undermining of Judicial Authority in Democracy.” I could not think of a more appropriate theme at this time. I therefore urge all participants to meaningfully engage in the Conference sessions and to make the most of this opportunity, even as I wish us all very beneficial deliberations.
“Before I end these welcome remarks, I must of necessity address the circumstances behind the decision to reschedule the venue of the Conference from Sokoto State to Abuja, FCT. The circumstances are indeed public knowledge and therefore merit no rehashing. To any discerning mind, rescheduling the Conference was simply the only way forward especially in the face of withdrawals by invited guests and speakers and when it became clear from the then prevailing that we could not guarantee the safety of the guests and speakers.
“As I said in my statement announcing the postponement of the Conference, the NBA acknowledged and was truly appreciative of the efforts put in by the government and good people of Sokoto State towards ensuring the success of the Conference. One recommendation I will make to the incoming NBA administration is to, as soon as possible, schedule another NBA event in Sokoto as a demonstration of our vote of confidence in the government of Sokoto State and to illustrate the fact that we have nothing against the people of the State” Akpata stated.
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