The NBA Ikorodu Branch, will today, Monday 16th October, hold her monthly meeting. Below, is the full text of the Chairman’s address:
ADDRESS BY THE BRANCH CHAIRMAN IDRIS KOLAWOLE THANY, ESQ.
Distinguished Colleagues, I welcome us all to the 16th General Meeting of this administration.
On the 19th September the Hon. Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, paid an unscheduled visit to the Ikorodu High Court premises, Ita Elewa.
The Executives were not put on notice and when an impromptu call was made to me by the Acting Chief Registrar at the instance of the Chief Judge in respect of a report against a Colleague who sat improperly by placing his feet on the table while sitting in the Bar, I was unavailable to physically attend to the call.
I urge us all to always comport ourselves in and out of court and to always be fit and proper at all times.
On September 21, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command also paid a visit to our jurisdiction when he called at the Area N Command. He ostensibly came in respect of exhumation of the corpse of Ilerioluwa Aloba a.k.a. Mohbad that day. The Branch was however not notified of such visit
On September 21 the Branch represented by the duo of my humble self and the Vice Chairman dispatched a congratulatory letter to the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN. On September 26 we received the response to our letter from the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice by letter dated 22nd September, 2023. He reiterated his resolve to partner with the Branch to move the administration of justice in Lagos State to the next level.
I commend the hardworking members of the Human Rights Committee led by our indefatigable Vice Chairman, Mrs. Bemigho Oluranti Elijah. Your various reports contained herein show how much hardwork you have put in to changing the narrative as far is Human Rights protection and advancement is concerned in our jurisdiction.
It is no wonder that this has attracted sponsorship from well meaning members of the society particularly Prof. Isabella Okagbue who gifted the PDSS N200,000.00 last month. We pray the Almighty to continue to meet Pof Okagbue and her likes at every point of their needs. Amen. Noteworthy is the New Legal Year Service which was celebrated on September 25. The Branch was by letter dated 8th September, 2023 signed by the Acting Chief Registrar invited to the Legal Year Ceremony.
The Branch attended with the Branch Bus conveying majority of Branch attendees. It was a “glamorous” Ceremony. The leadership of Branches were not accorded due recognition during the Mosque and Church services.
The lack of refreshments after the parade watered down the excitement of the event in the estimation of majority of members and this warranted a boycott by Branch Chairmen of Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos from the Dinner hosted by the Chief Judge as the Chairmen reasoned that they could not be feasting when majority of their members were denied food.
Permit me to bring to your esteemed notice the rescheduling of the Bar and Bench Forum from the 12th day of October to the 26th day of October, 2023.
On October 3, members of the Branch led by the Vice Chairman graced the official opening ceremony of Benson Enikuomehin & Co., at 16, Simpson Street, Ebute Metta East, Lagos. I congratulate our foundation Secretary for the fewt and pray the Almighty to bless his practice.
On October 12, I received the gladdening news of the first ever original member of our Branch to be elevated to the prestigious and coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the person of Mr. Babatunde Adeoye.
The conferment Ceremony is billed for the 26th of November, 2023. It really gladdens my heart that this feat is being recorded in my tenure as I played an active role in his elevation through issuance of necessary correspondences and letter of good standing. Indeed, it is marvellous in our eyes. This has opened the door for other members to be admitted to the inner Bar.
The Learned Silk has offered to anchor mentorship programmes for other members of the Branch to attain the coveted rank. He has also offered to host the Branch December General Meeting to celebrate his elevation. We are most grateful to the very Distinguished Learned Silk. May the good Lord further prosper your practice upon your attainment of this noble rank. God bless you more Sir.
I commend our hardworking Branch Secretary, Ms. Olawunmi Adela, for her outstanding performances and recognition by the National Secretariat vide letter dated 11th September, 2023 for being the first Branch Secretary to have forwarded Annual Report to the National Secretariat and thus complied with the NBA Constitution and Bye Law 2015 as amended.
By same token, I commend the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Lukman Jaiyeola for being shortlisted on 25th September for the Gani Fawehinmi Awards of Outstanding Impact Awards 2023. We pray that he makes the final list. We can all make this happen with our prayers and our votes.
I commend the Social Secretary, Ms Christiana ljeoma Elekwachi, for putting together the Independence Day Anniversary celebration. God bless you for our selfless services.
My sincere condolences to the Legal Community on the transition to eternal glory, last week, of the Chairman Emeritus of Ikeja Branch, Mr. Yinka Farounbi, a Consummate Bar man, leader and mentor. May Almighty God accept his return, grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all loved ones left behind. Amen!
On October 8, 2023 Baby Maryam Kemi Thany was born to my family. I most sincerely appreciate everyone who graced her naming ceremony yesterday October 15,2023. I thank our able Vice Chairman, Mrs Bemigho Oluranti Elijah for leading members of the Branch who attended. I am profoundly grateful to you all for your presence and gifts. May God continue to bless you all.
I acknowledge all hardworking members of the Human Rights Committee and the Anti-Cultism Committee. I urge us all to keep the flag flying.
God bless us all.
Long live NBA Ikorodu Branch!
IDRIS KOLAWOLE THANY, ESQ.
