The new president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Y.C. Maikyau, has taken the baton of leadership with the charge to the federal government to show unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property of Nigerians.
Maikyau was sworn in as the 31st President of the largest Bar in Africa from the electronic election conducted in July this year.
Moment he was sworn in at a ceremony at Eko Hotel & Suites, Maikyau thanked God for his feat while pledging not to relent in pursuance of the cause of justice as the pillar of his administration.
He urged the Federal Government to show unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and properties in the country, while expressing displeasure against the spate of banditry, kidnaping, killings and cattle rustling bedeviling the country.
According to him: “The Nigerian state is passing through a perilous time. There is the insecurity challenge and the situation appears so overwhelming.
“Many Nigerians live below poverty line.
“There has been no time that Nigerians have looked towards the bar than now.
“Nigerians have been so terrorised, pauperised and traumatised. What is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession.”
“This voice of the legal profession must speak against the terror in the land and this is the charge that my administration will spearhead” he said.
He added that Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the manifestation of members of the bar to salvage the nation.
He therefore urged members of the legal profession to provide leadership to the country.
“The prosperity of lawyers can not be undermined in the society, the bar must earn the confidence and trust of the people,” he charged.
He extended a hand of fellowship to all those who contested the office of the NBA President with him, saying he and his team would be coming to tap from their indepth knowledge from time to time.
“I saw all your great manifestos and your laudable proposals for the NBA. What has happened is that we are now the ones who have been given the responsibility. I invite you all to join hands with us as we build the Nigerian Bar Association to that great heights we all desire,” he added.
In his address during the handover ceremony, the outgoing president, Olumude Akpata gave assurance that the NBA will continue to protect the cause of the society and make Nigeria a better place through its section, Nigerian Bar Association Special Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, under the leadership of Dr. Monday Ubani.
The former president noted that many things are holding the country back as Nation stressing that the NBA is the only association that is reflective of the country.
“NBA need to show this country how things should be done and rise above selfish interest. We must show our leaders how things should be run in the country.
“In NBA, we exist for our members but we must also speak for the lesser members of the society.”
Akpata urged the association to rise in defence of Judiciary stating that where judges are not able to speak for themselves because of the position they occupy, the NBA should be prepared to stand up for the judiciary.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by Justice S. Saidu, said she look forward to a healthy working relationship between the court and the bar.
She advised the new President of the NBA, Maikyau to use his office to restore the good image of the judiciary and the country.
