PROTOCOLS/COURTESIES,
I am excited to address this August gathering as the Chairman of the Planning Committee by way of a welcome address.
I have performed a similar role during the regime of J.A. Akubo (SAN), the then Chairman of Lokoia Branch of NBA.
I am therefore delighted to welcome you to the opening ceremony of the week-long event which commenced on Friday 22 September, 2023 when our Muslim brothers committed the event to Allah in prayers at the special Juma’at service.
Similarly. my fellow Christian brothers and sisters also prayed for the success of the program in the Church service on Sunday.
Our theme for this year is “True democracy and the role of legal practitioners in Nigeria” You will agree with the Planning Committee that this theme is relevant in the light of developments and challenges the nation has witnessed since the return of our Country to democracy in 1999. This gives us the opportunity to critically examine our roles in the development of democratic Government in Nigeria.
The keynote Speaker is a legal luminary well known to most of us gathered here. Alhaji Abdullahi, SAN; a former Attorney General of Kogi State, an active and a seasoned legal practitioner. He is practicing under name and style-Abdullah Haruma SAN & Co. With offices at Kaduna and Abuja respectively. We are specially blessed to have him in our midst today. Let me on behalf of the Lokoja Bar and the Planning Committee thank the learned Silk for honourng our invitation
Two papers are to be presented by two eminent personalities to wit:
1.Nigeria democracy, the journey so far, from 1999 till date to be presented by a distinguished academician, Professor J.A. Akubo, Vice Chancelor, Salem University. Lokoja.
2.The role of the Nigerian Legislature in a democratic setting, how well have they faired? This paper would he presented by our colleague, a two times member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Barrister Siraba Ibrahim
We thank the Speakers for honouring our invitation.
A formidable team of experienced and talented discussants drawn from the Legal Profession and the academia have been papers and discussions of the two topics assembled to do justice to these topics.
The Planning Committee believe that all of us would learn from the presentation.
The main focus of the 2023 Law Week is to provide us the opportunity to discuss the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria.
If we “get it right, it is an instrument that will positively impact the lives of all Nigerians, the Lawyers inclusive. There is no doubt that the Legal Profession is at the center of it all, as such the lager Nigerian society and beyond are looking up to us to take the lead in the area of reforms and corrections.
My work was made easy in this assignment owing to the fact that God blessed me with hardworking and dedicated mer of the Planning Committee.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the members of the Planning Committee without whom I would have been functionally deficient. I have enjoyed every bit of your cooperation and it is my prayer that God will bless you all.
To the Chairman and members of the Exco of the Confluence Bar who considered us worthy to undertake this assignment, we are grateful. To the general house that endorsed our nom nation to serve, we are equally grateful.
Before I draw the curtain on my welcome address, please permit me to mention for special recognition the effort of the benevolent personalities that have made this programme a success.
Time and space will not allow me to mention everyone that has contributed to the success of the programme. We appreciate all of you. On a very special note however, the contribution of the Honorable Chief Judge of Kogi State. Hon. Justice J. J. Majebi is specially appreciated. Our brother, the Honourable Chief Judge of the FCT. Hon. Justice H B Yusuf made us proud by his generous donation. We are immensely grateful. The Honourable Attorney General of Kogi State has always remained a pillar to the Confluence bar. Ile is nevertired ofour demands and bas alwavs willingly assisted the Confluence bar. We appreciate you Sir.
Finally. I take the singular honour and privilege to welcome everyone of us to this iveek-long event. This is another opportunity for us all to relax, learn, interact, network and enjoy ourselves. Avail yourselves of this opportunity and God bless you.
©️Samuel.I. Akoji Esq.
Chairman. 2023 Law Week Committee
