A WELCOME ADDRESS BY CHINONSO NWOSU CHAIRMAN NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA) UKWA BRANCH ON THE OCCASION OF THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF UKWA BRANCH BAR CENTER ON THE 26TH APRIL, 2024.
All protocols duly observed.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
I most humbly welcome our special guests, sponsors, donors, members of NBA Ukwa branch (the Branch) and everyone here present to this epic gathering of the Ground Breaking Ceremony of NBA Ukwa Branch Bar Centre.
Permit me to do a brief reminder of when the Branch was founded. NBA Ukwa Branch was inaugurated as a Branch of NBA by Okey Wali (SAN) on Wednesday 19th February, 2014 at Ukwa High Court Premises Obehie and the pioneer chairman was Dr. C.K Nwankwo (as he then was) now Hon. Justice C.K Nwankwo. From then till date the Branch has successfully ran 5 consecutive tenures. 
The Branch from the period in view has been active in all Bar activities flowing from the NBA National to Regional and State activities and most of all her immediate branch constitutional activities and this has earned her the pride “the fastest growing Branch East of the Niger” to further buttress her vibrancy.
The above stated will suffice to say that one amongst numerous impending challenges that behoves the Branch is a Bar Centre which will serve her amply well to host all her activities which ranges from monthly branch meetings, continuing legal education seminars, annual bar dinners and any other activities that maybe incidental in the pursuit of the growth and advancements of the Branch.
It is important to state that the lack of a Bar Centre by the Branch can be likened to a family without a house that shelters them. It is on this premise that the incumbent administration and the entire members of the Branch took it upon themselves to raise a Bar Centre for the Branch.
I am most delighted that this day which is the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the NBA Ukwa branch has become a reality despite all challenges to achieve same.
The building and completion of this Bar Centre in all ramifications is a big project especially with the now economic realities facing the country. However, I am confident that after this administration subsequent administration(s), well meaning sponsors, donors, lovers and members of the Branch will see to the completion of this great project.
I hereby call on our respected special guests, sponsors, donors and members of the Branch never to relent but rather see to the commissioning of the NBA Ukwa Bar Center in the nearest future.
Before I resume my seat, it is important to note that NBA Ukwa branch is the only Bar Branch amongst the 5 Branches of NBA in Abia State that does not own a bus.
Like I stated earlier that a Bar Centre for the Branch is just one of the very important needs of the Branch, as a very active and fastest growing Branch, she needs a bus that will aid and facilitate her movements to ensure and encourage her attendance in mass to Bar activities at all levels, this is so important as the Branch attendance to National and Regional activities showcases the activeness of the branch and puts her out to compete and participate in relevant Bar activities.
I further call on our special guests, sponsors, donors, and the entire members of NBA Ukwa Branch to see to the pressing needs of the Branch which are obviously linked to her growth and advancements.
Thank you our special guests, sponsors, donors, members of NBA Ukwa Branch and everyone who made this Ground Breaking Ceremony possible through your resources and participations. I pray that our good Lord bless and replenishes you on every side in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
•CHINONSO NWOSU ESQ.
Chairman NBA Ukwa Branch.
AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY CHIMARAOKE EJE ESQ. JP ON THE OCCASION OF THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE BAR CENTER OF THE NBA UKWA BRANCH TODAY THE 26TH DAY OF APRIL 2024
PROTOCOL.
My Lord Hon Justice Joyce Adiele, Judge of Abia State Judiciary My Lord Hon Justice C.K Nwankwo, Judge of Abia State Judiciary My Lord Hon Justice C.H Ahuchaogu, Judge of Abia State Judiciary The Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Council of Abia State, Hon. Newman Azu.
The Mayor of Ukwa East Local Government Council of Abia State, Dame Ngozi Nwagbara PhD.
HRM EZE CHINYERE DIKE, Chairman Ukwa West Council of Traditional Rulers and all other Royal Fathers here present, My Lords Spiritual.
All invited guests and foundation layers.
Ladies and Gentlemen.
In the immutable words of the former Military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida ” Not to undertake a gigantic project is cowardice, not to undertake and fail is a necessary experience and to undertake and succeed becomes a legacy for posterity”.
Indeed the story of the quest to have a Bar Center for NBA Ukwa Branch, which in all modesty is one of the fastest growing BARS in Abia State started with the premier leadership of the then Dr. C.K Nwankwo PhD now My Lord Hon Justice C.K Nwankwo, Judge of Abia State Judiciary when he laid the foundation of the perimeter fence of the BAR CENTER with the view of securing the land and ensuring non encroachment.
Following on the heels of this very important achievement, conscious of the young nature of the branch, determined to make an impact in the face of non intervention of the then Government, the Branch under the leadership of Elder Chimaraoke Ejie JP my humble self started an aggressive campaign to mobilize our members to contribute from their scarce resources to start molding blocks preparatory to erecting a structure.
I salute all the members who contributed to ensure that the blocks were actually molded. I must single out my dear friend Chief Sam Ogbonna who sacrificed immensely to ensure that the block moldings were done.
The foundation laying ceremony that we are witnessing today is midwife by the administration of Chinonso Nwosu and we are grateful to him and to his team of young leaders such as the very quiet and hardworking secretary Mr. Ugochukwu Oluoha. In the book of Ecclesiastics penned by the wisest man in history it is stated that for everything under the sun there is a season. 
Today’s event is therefore a watershed in the annals of this Association. Our time as a branch has indeed come.
My Lords and Royal fathers and all our distinguished guests I know that you have come to give. I know you are prepared to give. I know you have made up your minds on what to give. But we in Ukwa Bar are like Oliver Twist. So we urge you to give us more knowing that indeed blessed is the hands that giveth than the one that taketh.
I therefore on behalf of the Chairman of the branch, the former Chairmen in the persons of Munachsio Eze Nwosuegbe, Sir S.E C Nwosu and all the stakeholders of the branch welcome you to this foundation laying ceremony.
The mustard seed we are about to plant this day will become a giant tree.
At the end of the day we will remember the help of our friends who helped us in our time of need. Thank you and God bless us all.
