Protocol.
As we all know the annual law week affords us the opportunity to deepen our knowledge on topical issues that affects society from the legal perspectives in keeping up with our tradition of continuous learning expected in the legal profession.
Let me at this juncture welcome our Chairman of ceremony our erudite and distinguished Chief Judge of the state my lord Hon Justice Daniel lyobosa Okungbowa to the first law week he is chairing as the head of courts. Similarly this is my first law week ceremony as the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch -Lion Bar….this is a beautiful coincidence indeed. The world has since opened up from the very tragic times of the covid 19 pandemic which took everyone by surprise and we cannot be thankful enough to God almighty for seeing us through given the catastrophic havoc it unleashed in all corners of the world particularly the temperate regions.
The rapid gains from it however is the enhanced technology in the way we now do things…the zoom technology has been heavily leveraged on since then and it will interest you to know that the very first zoom law week ceremony in the country was done by the lion bar under my chairmanship of the committee in the Prince Collins Ogiegbaen led robust administration in the year 2020.
I want to specially thank my lord Hon. Justice Daniel lyobosa Okungbowa and his brother judges for the support given to this ceremony acceding to our unending requests at every moment. Let me also appreciate our Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria and distinguished colleagues for their great show of support and collaboration.
Permit me also to thank very profusely our erudite resource persons for their collaboration to this exercise. Let me thank the registrants and attende to this great event for their support, commitment and understanding through the planning stage till now.
Finally the planning committee of the 2023 edition of the law week program have been most proactive, pragmatic and selfless in ensuring a seemless knowledge enriched and fun packed edition being headed by the Chairperson Matilda Otoide, Esq. and Sam Atoe, Esq as the Secretary and of course Kate Mordi, Esq. the treasurer. They are bringing innovations to the 5 day event and as we say. ideas drives the world.
While we immerse ourselves in continuous learning do not forget to make new friends and enhance our professional contacts.
To our colleagues here who have been elevated to the Bench i say a very big Congratulations as the lion bar wishes you all the very best of luck in your new endeavor of justice service delivery. We at the Bar remain very proud of you and to our learned colleagues at the official Bar who have equally been elevated to the bench we say a big congratulations to you too as we extend our good wishes to your goodselves in your new assignment.
I wish to congratulate our very distinguished colleague Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi on his appointment as the Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State.
An appointment very well deserved and widely applauded. 
To our distinguished awardees, I congratulate everyone of you in your emergence from our meticulous and painstaking executive Council meeting for nomination. Let me specially appreciate the first lady of the state, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki who is one of the awardees for her great zeal, passion and selfless effort in stemming the tide of gender based violence particularly the girl child and vulnerable women.
I cannot conclude this address without congratulating one of our own a past President of the Nigerian Bar Association who was recently confered with national honours of the rank of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in the person of my class mate and dear friend Augustine Oyarekhua Alegeh,SAN… I told you more honours were coming your way… Congratulations to you and the Centennial Law School Class.
My Lords, learned SANs , distinguished colleagues and guests… Enjoy the law week ceremony. 
Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie Esq.
Chairman Nigerian Bar Association
Benin Branch -Lion Bar
