The Opening Ceremony of the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) 2021 Law Week held at the Executive Hall of the International Conference Centre, Abuja has ended today on a very great note, with participants leaving highly satisfied.
The ceremony which commenced at about 9.30a.m with a rendition of the National Anthem and other vintage melodies by the Abuja Metropolitan Music Society (AMEMUSO), had an impressive turnout of participants who filled the hall’s capacity.
The NBA prayer was recited by the 2021 Unity Bar Law Week Committee Alternate Chairman, Mr Afam Okeke while welcome addresses were given by the Chairman of the NBA Abuja Branch, Dr Mrs Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau and the 2021 Unity Bar Law Week Committee Chairman, Mr Steve O. Emelieze, Esq.
In her welcome address, Dr Shekarau expressed her gratitude and appreciation to all the judges, learned silks, other senior lawyers and distinguished guests and participants at the opening ceremony for all the support the branch has enjoyed over the years.
On his part, the Chairman of the 2021 Unity Bar Law Week Committee, Mr Steve Emelieze, Esq assured participants that no stone had been left unturned to ensure that all have a memorable experience at the law week.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s Law Week which is “Insecurity, Rule of Law and Human Rights: Are we on the right track?” he said, “No doubt, our country is currently bedevilled by insecurity challenges, threatening our corporate existence as a country and our security agencies are doing the best they can, in the circumstance, to manage the situation. The menace of insecurity today, is not only a major concern to government but should also be everyone’s business”.
The ceremony was declared open by Honourable Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, the acting Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, ably represented by Justice S. B Belgore.
Other dignitaries present at the event were Justice I. E. Ekwo representation the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, other judges of the Federal High Court, and FCT High Court; Kanu Agabi, SAN; Adegboyega and Victoria Awomolo, SANs; J. K. Gadzama, SAN; Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN; members of the branch such as Chief Emeka Obegolu, Dr Princess F. Frank-Chukwuani, Okey Ajunwa, Chidi Ezenwafor, Anthony Idoko, Noah Ajare, Felix Ashimole, Hajia Adama Mohammed, Ruth Badung, all the members of the Unity Bar’s Executive Committee and the 2021 Law Week Committee, and a host of others.
The Keynote Speaker at the event was Dr Uchenna Emelonye Esq, the Country Representative, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner For Human Rights (OHCHR) Monrovia, Liberia who took the liberty to recouch the theme of the event as “Insecurity, Rule of Law and Human Rights: Is the Bar on the Right Path?” for the purpose of his speech.
The first plenary session which was chaired by Asiwaju A. S. Awomolo, SAN had the topic, “Dialogue On Insecurity, Rule of Law and Human Rights” with the following as panelists:
- Major Gen. Y. Shalangwa
- DIG Marvel Akpoyibo (Rtd)
- Prof. Agbo Madaki
- Monday O. Ubani, Esq. (Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL)
- Mr Lemmy Ughegbe
The second plenary session chaired by Chief J.k. Gadzama, SAN was hinged on “The Making of a Successful Legal Practotioner” and had the following panelists;
- Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN
- M. O. Atoyebi, SAN who was represented by Mrs Onyinye Chikwendu-Ikechebelu, the Practice Manager of Omaplex Law Firm
- Dr Agada Elechi
- Prince Chukwudi Oli, Esq. and
- Dr Sunday Kayode
The Metro Lawyer