The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and his Sokoto State counterpart Aminu Tambuwal have charged the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to sustain their positions as leading lights of the legal profession.
They said the 38 lawyers’ new status was a privilege, responsibility and opportunity to uphold the cause of justice.
They joined other stakeholders, including the Eastern Bar Forum, in congratulating the silks, who were conferred the rank by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, on September 23 at the Supreme Court in Abuja.
Ortom congratulated Prof Alphonsus Okoh Alubo and Paul Harris Ogbole, both from Benue, on their new status.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom said: “The elevation of the two lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), “is confirmation of their pedigree and excellence.”
He expressed confidence the duo’s capabilities “to serve as senior officers in the temple of justice,” and wished them and the 36 other Silks successful careers.
Similarly Tambuwal congratulated Usman O. Sule (SAN) for the “hard work and determination” that earned him the prestigious rank.
He recalled that Sule was a two-time NBA national officer, whose contributions “brought NBA to a great feat.”
According to him, the Silk had “contributed a lot to development of law in Nigerian’’.
Tambuwal added: “Sule SAN excelled in his task as the National Welfare Secretary between 2010 and 2012 and Legal Adviser between 2012 and 2014.”
The EBF felicitated with the silks in a message signed by its Assistant Secretary Mr. Sammy Etuk.
It said: “The Governing Council and distinguished learned members of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) under the leadership of Soseipriye Long Williams, felicitates with all the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria from the Southsouth and Southeast geopolitical zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said:“Chimizie Victor Chikem, Tuduru Uchendu Ede, Prof Uchefula Ugonna Chukwumaeze, Echezona Chukwudi Etiaba, Chimezie Victor Chikem Ihekweazu, Daniel Chukwudi Enwelum, Samuel Ngozi Agweh, Alexander Chukwudi Ejesieme, Emeka Onyemaechi Ozoani, John Onuegbulam Asoluka, and Andrew Essien Hutto.
“The EBF heartily congratulate you all on the great feat you have achieved in our noble profession and urge that the young lawyers in our midst and all those who are working towards achieving this sublime position are supported and encouraged for us to make EBF and our profession bigger, bolder and better.”
NBA Gombe celebrated the new SANs and, in particular, Prof Mamman Lawan Yusufari and Prof Alphonsus Okoh Alubo.
It said: “The chairman, Haruna Yelma, executives and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gombe Branch congratulate all members of the legal profession who were conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on September 23, 2019.
“We specifically wish to celebrate the under listed learned silks: Prof Mamman Lawan Yusufari (SAN), Prof Alphonsus Okoh Alubo (SAN)”.
NBA Lokoja branch also congratulated Usman Sule SAN.
“This is to congratulate on your well-deserved achievement in the legal profession. It comes to us as no surprise that you are among the privileged few to be so honored. You have been an inspiration to those of us at the Lokoja Branch of the NBA and we are aware of your impact to the general members of the Bar,” it said.
For NBA Ikeja branch, it was “a hat-trick” of celebrations.
It said: “It is with utmost joy that the Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Prince Dele Oloke on behalf of the executives and members celebrates her inspiring and worthy excellent members; Samuel Agweh (SAN), Emeka Ozoani (SAN) and Olukayode Enitan (SAN) on their conferment with the noble rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).”
Katsina branch of the NBA felicitated with Safiya Badamasi Umar (SAN), the first Katsina indigene to make the rank.
In a statement, its Chairman Mr. A. A. Ahmed, Katsina branch, said: “Safiya Badamasi Umar (SAN) is the first indigene of Katsina State to earn the prestigious (SAN) rank. She is the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Katsina State.
“Her professional excellence, strong record of leadership and service, and deep-seated commitment to equality and justice embody the ideals of a democratic society and NBA Katsina branch is proud of her.”
In a congratulatory message to new silk wigs from the branch, Chairman NBA Lagos, Mr. Omoyemi Akangbe, said: “We congratulate our members who were conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Our members that were conferred with the rank are: Adedoyin Rodes-Vivour (SAN); Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN); Emmanuel Adeyeye Oyebanji (SAN); Abiodun Adediran Olatunji (SAN); Olumide Andrew Aju (SAN); Chimezie Victor Ihekweazu (SAN); Olaniyi Maruph Olopade (SAN), Leslie Olutayo Nylander (SAN) Godwin Osemeahon Omoaka (SAN), Adedokun Matthew Makinde (SAN), Olusegun Oyediran Fowowe (SAN). We wish them the best of luck.”
NBA Benin Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Chairman Mr. Jude O. Ogbeide congratulated the new Silks.
“We wish to specially congratulate Messrs Godwin Omoaka (SAN) and Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik (SAN) on their elevation into the inner sanctum of the Bar. This is indeed a monumental stride and same being well deserved, the YLF (Benin Bar) celebrates with the Learned Silks,” Ogbeide said.
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