AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME PRESENTED BY SABASTINE ANYIA ESQ, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, NIGERIA BAR ASSOCIATION AND CHAIRMAN HUMAN RIGHT INSTITUTE, ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION OF GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION, TODAY THE 10TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2024.

The Senate President, HE Godswill Akpabio,

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas (PhD),

The Hon Attorney General of the Federation, Hon Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN,

The President of NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN,

The Chairman Police Service Commission DIG (Bar) Hashimu, Salihu Argungu,

Hon. Judges,

The Keynote Speaker, Ayo Obe,

The Panelists and

The Moderator,

Learned Senior Advocates present,

Distinguished Colleagues,

Other Invited Guests.

It is my privilege and honor to welcome you today, the 10th day of December 2024, to the NBA National Secretariat Auditorium to celebrate this year’s international human rights day, with the Theme; “OUR RIGHTS, OUR FUTURE, RIGHT NOW : All Humans Are Born Free and Equal In Dignity and Rights”.

We are delighted that today marks the final day of the 16 days of the Human Rights Activism which began on 25th day of November 2024, with Gender Based Violence against Women and Children. This 16 days activism was concurrently held in all the 130 branches of the Nigeria Bar Association across the country. From Sokoto to Bakassi, and from Maiduguri to Yenagoa, it was a period of rebranding the NBA in positive light.

This is the first time in the history of NBA that all the branches of the association are involved in this campaign of awareness. We thank our proactive leader, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, a Live Bencher, for this wonderful innovation that has brought joy and excitement to many families across the country. This no doubt, has made the NBA a new bride in our country. We equally thank the vice chairmen of all NBA branches for their understanding, support, commitment and their active participation.

During this 16 days of activism NBA was able to reconciled and settled about 250 cases of gender based violence across the country. Freed 109 suspects in police stations across the country and with the help of the Chief Judges of the 36 states and the FCT released about 89 Inmates from the Correctional Centers. The stories of some of these suspects and inmates freed/released are very pathetic. It would have been any of us if not by the grace of God.

To encourage maximum participation amongst all branches of the NBA, we introduced awards for the branches with the highest number of released inmates and freed suspects. This is because we are aware that competition brings out the best amongst men or groups. The winners shall be presented with awards today.

As we round off today, we have carefully chosen new faces to speak to us on the Global human rights theme for this year as stated _inter_ _alia_ . We shall be hearing from our one and only Ayo Obe, the Keynote Speaker, who is a defender of the defenceless, a human rights champion, a Tv and radio presenter.

The other panelists/discussants are;

Prof Sam Amadi (Human Rights Activist). He is one of the few Nigerians who have swung in the murky Nigerian political waters coming out unstained.

Naeemah Goje, a female activist,

Attah Ochinke, former Chairman NBA Calabar branch and former AG and Commissioner for Justice Cross River State,

Our Own Ikeazor Akariwe, SAN, Former 1st Vice President, NBA.

The Panelists/ Discussants shall be moderated by a shining star and a proud female activist, Mimi Ayo.

I cannot end this address without appreciating the following chambers for their profound contributions in ensuring the success of this event. They are;

Law Forte , Ndarani SAN & Co, Solace Law, ADAIKEDUNU & Associates, Akimboro & Co, Greenfield Chambers, Murtala Abdulrasheed & Co, B. O. Habeeb & Co, P. H. Obole & Co, Abubakar Mustapha & Associates, J. J. Usman & Co, Osisike Chibuike Camelius & Co, Maxon & Prime Legal, Zainab Atoba & Co and 24 Law Chambers.

We thank all of you for making it to this event. We equally appreciate Learned Senior Advocates and Colleagues who contributed towards hosting a successful 16 day human rights activism.

Wishing us all a beautiful and rewarding day.

Finally, may I appreciate the monitor team for a Job well done. I’m proud of your contributions to the success of this year Human Rights activism. Keep doing the good work for the NBA. Once again, thank you so very much.

Finally, finally, I appreciate the 2nd and 3rd Vice Presidents for their commitment, support and cooperation to the success of this great day. Thank you these wonderful women for who you are to me and the institute.

Sabastine Anyia Esq