Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata has successfully handed over the leadership of the professional body of lawyers to the newly elected President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN on Friday.
The change of baton took place at a swearing-in ceremony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In his inaugural speech, Maikayau pledged to make service to the cause of justice as the pillar of his administration.
Maikyau also urged the Federal Government to show commitment to the protection of lives and properties in the country.
He expressed displeasure against the spate of banditry, kidnaping, killings and cattle rustling bedeviling the country.
According to him: “The Nigerian state is passing through a perilous time. There is the insecurity challenge and the situation appears so overwhelming.
“Many Nigerians live below poverty line.
“There has been no time that Nigerians have looked towards the bar than now.
“Nigerians have been so terrorised, pauperised and traumatised, what is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession.”
“This voice of the legal profession must speak against the terror in the land and this is the charge that my administration will spearhead” he said.
He added that Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the manifestation of members of the bar to salvage the nation.
He therefore urged members of the legal profession to provide leadership to the country.
“The prosperity of lawyers can not be undermined in the society, the bar must earn the confidence and trust of the people,”he charged.
In his address during the handover ceremony, Akpata gave assurance that the NBA will continue to protect the cause of the society and make Nigeria a better place through its section, Nigerian Bar Association Special Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, under the leadership of Dr. Monday Ubani.
The former president noted that many things are holding the country back as Nation stressing that the NBA is the only association that is reflective of the country.
“NBA need to show this country how things should be done and rise above selfish interest. We must show our leaders how things should be run in the country.
“In NBA, we exist for our members but we must also speak for the lesser members of the society.”
Akpata urged the association to rise in defence of Judiciary stating that where judges are not able to speak for themselves because of the position they occupy, the NBA should be prepared to stand up for the judiciary.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by Justice S. Saidu, said she look forward to a healthy working relationship between the court and the bar.
She advised the new President of the NBA, Maikyau to use his office to restore the good image of the judiciary and the country.
