THE NBA AS A BEACON OF NATIONAL UNITY.

Chronicles of a Bar Man by Ogaga Emoghwanre, Esq (Special Assistant to the NBA PRESIDENT)

The popular saying that traveling is a form of education is indeed a truism in the real sense of it. The Nigerian Bar Association (“NBA”) is structured in such a way that every Nigerian lawyer is allowed to appreciate the rich cultural diversity of this ecosystem, called Nigeria. The NBA has 125 branches spread across the Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern parts of Nigeria.

This is a testament to the fact that lawyers can be found in every nook and cranny of Nigeria, in so far as land and air exist therein.

In the course of my assignment in making the Bar work for all in the past 18 months as the Special Assistant to the NBA President on branch coordination, I have had the rare opportunity to visit the North-Western part of Nigeria, Sokoto, the land of the caliphate. I had first-hand experience of peaceful co-existence of lawyers and I can say without mincing words that unity exists amongst lawyers in Nigeria irrespective of some perceived religious and ethnic diversity.

I saw with sincerity of purpose, true love, warmth, affection, and unprecedented hospitality from our extraordinary colleagues in Sokoto. I was awed by the feist of warmth from the Sokoto Bar. Particularly, I reminisce the uncommon reception of the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the brotherly love shown by the Hon. Attorney-General of Sokoto State, Mr. Sulieman Usman (SAN). How can I fail to mention the unflinching love from Madam Chairman, Mrs. Safiyah Mohammad, the branch Executive, leaders of the Bar, the Young Lawyers’ Executive led by Mr. Umar Aliyu Maigoro, the Chief Registrar, Mr. Bashir, and other staff of the Sokoto Judiciary?

What was already a memorable experience would be taken notches higher by My Lord, the Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Hon. Justice Mohammad Sa’idu Sifawa and his brother judges of the Sokoto State Judiciary received us with great pomp. I must particularly commend and appreciate Mr. Abdulrahman Isa, for his sacrifices in making my stay in Sokoto memorable especially in having me chauffeur-driven all through my stay in the historical city.

A very striking revelation from my visit was the very peaceful transition from one administration to another at the Sokoto Bar. I saw firsthand an institutionalized leadership succession plan which has made the Sokoto Bar, one of the most peaceful of the 125 Branches of the NBA. A tradition which I commend to other Branches for emulation.


In the days of yore, it will be unimaginable for me or anyone close to me to think of venturing into the Northern parts of Nigeria, owing to the very unpalatable and stereotypical perceptions about the region, as reeled out by the media. Much to my consternation and delight, I saw the Benins, Yorubas, Idomas, Igbos, and many other tribes living peacefully and comfortably in Sokoto State in a beautiful tribute to our diversity.

Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim once stated that: the only seat allocated to Kebbi State at the Supreme Court is occupied by a jurist originally from Delta State, who practiced in the old Sokoto State and married from Argungu, Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie, JSC. Yet, in Kebbi, she’s not regarded as a foreigner but as a bona fide daughter of Kebbi State. This further underscores the richness of our diversity and the opportunities inherent in it.

I must at this juncture, applaud my Boss, most profusely, the Alao-Aka Bashorun of our time, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Esq for his brilliant piloting of NBA affairs, and most importantly, for making true his words in the NBA working for all.

Let us keep the ethnic division and religious bigotry far away from us. We should never allow politicians to divide and rule us, in the name of religion and ethnicity.

I have seen firsthand that what divides us in Nigeria should ordinarily bind us together. As we continue to strive for peace and unity in Nigeria, let’s continue to pray to God to direct our noble cause. Guide our leaders right, help our youths the truth to know. In love and honesty to grow and live just and true.

Regards,

OGAGA EMOGHWANRE, ESQ
PUBLICITY SECRETARY, NBA BENIN.