The 2023 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikorodu Branch would chart a course and direction for the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by providing it with working materials on what is expected of it by Nigerians.
Making this known on Friday, the group of lawyers during a briefing on activities lined up for the 2023 Law Week of the association said this through its Chairman, Idris Kolawole Thany.
According to him, it was in a bid to chart the course and direction for the new administration in Nigeria that the theme of this year’s conference of the Bar, “2023 and Beyond: The Imperative of True Federalism in Nigeria” and lecture topic, “The 1999 Constitution, Restructuring and True Federalism: The Way Forward” were carefully chosen to serve as a working material to assist and guide the new administration on what is expected of it by the people of Nigeria.
Thany who quoted from the works of first indigenous lawyer in Nigeria, late Christopher Sapara William said, “A lawyer lives for the direction of the people and advancement of the course of the society” to support the decision of the NBA, Ikorodu.
Thany said they were aware that prior to the election, there were hues and cries about the lopsidedness in appointments, alleged nepotism among others issues in the country.
He said the lawyers believe that it is high time they took up the challenge to guide the political leadership and the politicians in the country.
The NBA Ikorodu Branch chairman, said further, “I believe that after the lecture which centres on the 1999 Constitution, restructuring, true federalism and the way forward, the federal government would have been better informed. It will serve as a raw material for the policy thrust of the Federal government.
In his words, “We want to contribute our own little quota by the theme and lecture, to the development of Nigeria such that future generations would be proud to call Nigeria their own.”
He informed that this is why they have arranged cerebral senior lawyers of repute to speak at the event tagged “16th annual lecture of Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN)” holding on Tuesday to enlighten the public regarding the topic of the lecture.
He said the chairman of the lecture would be a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun (SAN) while a former chairman of NBA Abuja Branch, and a Presidential candidate in the 2018 election of the national NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) is the guest speaker.
The discussants will include Chairman Oyo state INEC and chairman Egbe Amofin, Aare Isiaka Abiodun Olagunju (SAN); a former NBA Lagos Branch chairman, Dr. Ajibade Babatunde, Mr. Chukwuka Ikuwuazom (SAN) and Olusegun Fabunmi (SAN).
To herald the event, the group held a Jumat service at Omitoro Town Central Mosque, Ijede Road, Ikorodu on Friday.
In one breath, Thany also disclosed that through the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme, PDSS, activities during the last one year, the bar in Ikorodu, under his watch secured freedom for 93 persons inmates from Ikoyi and Kirikiri custodial centres of the Nigeria Correctional Services, NCS Lagos State.
The group is expected to walk against Domestic and Sexual Violence and all other forms of Gender-Based violence this Saturday, moving from the Bar Centre to Ikorodu Youth Centre and Mini Stadium at Ita-Elewa where they would be having a novelty match between NBA Ikeja and NBA Ikorodu.
“At the mini stadium, we would also have health check for members in attendance. This is to ensure that we are fully and physiologically prepared for this Law Week and to ensure that nobody will take ill suddenly, he said.
After the football match, according to Thany, “Between 5:00 to 7:00 pm, we would be at Lagos State Park and Garden by the jetty at Ebute to have our variety and cultural evening. Members of our branch will be in attendance and we would have fun time there with ourselves, being a cultural evening, everyone is expected to wear traditional attires and bring their traditional foods for exchange amongst members.
“Sunday June 4, at 9:00a.m to 11:00 a.m, participants would converge at RCCG, Fair Heavens, Dele Kuti street, Ebute, Ikorodu where we would be having our church thanksgiving service at the church. Immediately after the service, we would also attend to members of the community in Ebute and the church members and render free legal consultancy services to them.
While on Monday June 5:”Between 9:00a.m to 11:00a.m. We would be here at the Bar Centre for Human Rights committee sessions. We have sub committees of the Human rights, including domestic and sexual violence committee, child rights, persons living with disability. The Legal Aid committee, PDSS and other law enforcement agencies committee and Pro bono committee amongst others.
“To be here to sensitise members of the community on their legal and fundamental rights under the law and ensure that nobody’s rights is being infringed upon and that we can better educate members of the public as to their rights under the law.
“The PDSS will visit all the police stations within Ikorodu on Monday. As is our usual practice, we would ensure that nobody is being illegally detained in any police station within Ikorodu jurisdiction. Members of the public are welcome as it would be an open session, and members of the public will be attended to here. We would also give free consultancy services to members of the public who join us here between 9:00a.m and 11:00 a.m.
“On Tuesday June 6, we would be having the signature programme of the Law Week, which is the 16th Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN) Annual Memorial Lecture. Topic is the 1999 Constitution: Restructuring and True Federalism – The Way Forward.
“Wednesday June 7: the grand finale of the Law week programme, we would converge at Aguila events Centre on TOS Benson Road, Ikorodu at 6:00pm for Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya SAN, annual Law Dinner. A social event that will attract crème de la crème of the legal profession. The chairman will be Mahmud Adeshina SAN, while key note speaker will be ex- Commissioner for Physcical Planning in Lagos State Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye will be keynote speaker.
