The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has on Monday, October 24 expressed delight in being part of the ongoing conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

Gbajabiamila, in his speech, said he was not just being the Speaker of House of Reps, but being a lawyer addressing his colleagues.

“I am delighted to address this distinguished gathering on the occasion of the 2021 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association. While I make this address as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of our dear country, It is important to note that I also speak today as a Lawyer and I consider it a great honour to speak in such a great gathering of my colleagues.

“Let me thank the Leadership of our Association for the invitation to address my Distinguished colleagues and the opportunity to enforce my hope that this Conference will light the fire in our profession and prepare us all to TAKE THE LEAD and consolidate the position of the NBA as a critical stakeholder in our affairs as a Nation.

Our Nation and the World is slowly recovering from the pangs of the Covid-19 Pandemic and while this affected the Physical Gathering of Lawyers in the AGC last year, we as a people and a Nation have shown that we cannot be defeated and once again after a very brief hiatus on a physical gathering. Our Association was at the risk of a severe breakdown during the pandemic but Nigerian Lawyers are resilient, tough, inventive, and resourceful even in the face of daunting odds and challenges and the Association came up with creative and ingenious ways of hosting our traditional and much-cherished annual Conference virtually and remotely, taking account of COVID-19 while not submitting or resigning to it.

“As we gather this, year, We should pride ourselves in the reality that this is the largest gathering of lawyers anywhere in the World and this is a feat worthy of commendation. This year, the NBA as its theme has chosen to TAKE THE LEAD.

This theme is not only timely but timeless in light of the challenges we face as a nation. This theme presents a fierce urgency for Lawyers to capture the moment and take the driver’s seat in the conversations surrounding our collective patrimony.” Gbajabiamila said

The lawmaker urged lawyers to take the lead in rebuilding the nation and stand for the downtrodden.

He said, “We answered the call to serve and commit to the cause of the downtrodden and to rebuilding our nation and raising it from the ruins. If we are poised at taking the lead, we must be ready to do more, do better and do so with baste that shows our understanding of challenges and promise of this moment in history and our determination to succeed against the odds.”

“Dear Colleagues, as we begin the conversations, may we be reminded of our ambition to ensure that all our people live in a just society free from abuse of power and protected by a justice system built on fairness and the rule of Jaw.”

He added, “In Conclusion, it is important to note that Nation-building is a joint task and we all have roles to play as small pieces in the big puzzle. As Legislators, we are committed, now more than ever to promote policies and institute measures that will ensure that the practice of law thrives. Lawyers also have a role to play individually and collectively as an Association in promoting social justice and respect for the rule of law and if we all play a part and intentionally contribute, we will pull out country from the deepest trenches of strife and systemic failures to the mountain top of peace and prosperity.”