I am yet to come to terms with the events of Monday, 15th June 2020. However, I am finding solace in the words of one of the wisest kings that ever lived when he declared in the book of Ecclesiastics 3v1&2 to wit ” to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heaven, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted” May the souls of our dear friends, brothers and colleagues, Sir Granville Isetima Abibo SAN and Sir Chuma Nwuso continually rest in peace.

I bring greetings from Enugu the Headquarters of the Eastern Bar Forum to all my friends and colleagues of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch, the Garden City Bar.

I have been a member of NBA PH Branch for more than two decades and half. I have committed my energy, resources, time, ability and agility to the growth, development, sustenance and stability of the Branch over the years. I have served the Branch in various elected and unelected capacities some of which I may not be able to recall and the ones I can recall, I decided not to bore you with them save to say that I served the Branch last (in an elective capacity) as Secretary between 2010-2012.

Fortunately, we are in another election year where we are giving the golden opportunity to write the course of our branch history either for good or for worse.

The choice is ours to make. We all know the candidates, their strengths , their weaknesses and what they have pledged to achieve in the next two years if voted into office. Its not a choice anyone can make on your behalf, its your own personal responsibility to make.

Your decision today determines what happens to the branch tomorrow. We should not be deceived that tomorrow will be better than today. It is the things that we do today that will determine how our tomorrow will be, if we do nothing today, there will be nothing in our tomorrow for as Malcolm X once mused tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.

Your choice is a personal responsibility and not a collective one. You will be found foolish to hold anyone liable but yourself if your decision turns out fatal and the branch becomes worse off for it, likewise it will be your personal glory and satisfaction and not anyone’s if your decision propels the branch to greater heights. Rev. Jesse Jackson said you may not be responsible for your being knocked down but you are responsible for getting back up
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I implore you all to sit back and rethink of the decision you have made as to who to vote and who not to vote for in the June 25th, 2020 NBAPH Elections. After you have done a thorough search of your soul concerning your choice, then make that move of faith come June 25th, 2020 and vote for your choice.

The destiny of NBAPH Branch rests on you, whether the branch comes out strong, bold, virile and progressive or the branch comes out weak, rudderless and hopeless after June 25th, 2020 is your decision, not mine, not anyone’s.

To the glory of God we are all educated, wise and schooled in the art of discernment so take that decision today for the glory of tomorrow.

God bless you all,
God bless NBAPH

S. Long Williams Esq.
Governor, EBF.