???????
“I PROMISE TO KEEP MY PROMISES”
To the Glory of Almighty God, the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) declared yesterday 17/7/2022 that you preferred me to serve as your next Publicity Secretary. Thank you for the honour, I do not take it for granted. I am extremely humbled by the support I received from you in this Election so much so that apt words to describe it elude me.
I thank the ECNBA for a great job. With the 2023 General Elections at the corner, the ECNBA became an image maker of some sort for all Nigerian lawyers. With our elections, we had to take the lead and show the way to a free and fair National Elections. And the ECNBA delivered on this mandate.
The National Officers ably led by the NBA President deserve my commendation. Mr. Olumide Akpata understands this extra importance of our electoral process earlier than most of us. Hence, the first ever committee that he set up was an elections review committee. This election signifies that he carried out the recommendations of that committee to the latter.
I heartily congratulate our President-Elect, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and other Elected National Leaders.
I acknowledge my brilliant contender – Mr. Ogaga Emogwhanre. More than 15,000 Lawyers voted for him and that represents the appreciation of his person and ability. Since the declaration of results, he has extended goodwill in the finest tradition of our profession. He has promised his support and I will be counting on same in the coming days.
I commend every other Candidate who threw their hats into the ring of this elections, the bar decided, the bar won and we all remain members of the bar seeking the good and growth of the Bar.
In the heat of the moment, it may be easy to forget what is truly important, the Unity and Growth of the Bar but once the results were in, we all come to agree that Unity is key to our continued Growth and Strength as the Nigerian Bar Association.
I am grateful to my team.These are friends, many of whom I have never physically encountered, yet, they gave all for this cause. Their immense and sincere support and sacrifice delivered this incredible mandate.
To all that voted for me, I am humbled by the confidence reposed in me. I guess I can only repay you by working for you. I promise to keep my promises. Myself and the Assistant Publicity Secretary-elect, Mr. Charles Ajiboye will assist the next NBA President-elect, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, SAN to ensure strong public engagement while also establishing a responsive information system within the NBA.
We will be deliberate about the NBA’s image and we will make you prouder of belonging to this proud profession. We will celebrate your successes and we will relay your concerns. We will remain your friends.
Thank you once again and God bless you.
AKOREDE HABEEB LAWAL
National Publicity Secretary-Elect, Nigerian Bar Association
