BRF shines at 2015 bar conference

It was a time of glory for the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who got the most praise at a special session for Lawyers in Government, during the just concluded 2015 Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The session, which had serving public officers who were legal practitioners alongside those who have served in the past, addressed fundamental issues on the role and contributions of lawyers to national development.

BRF who got a resounding applause from the large audience of learned gentlemen, during a special showcase of the achievements of past public servants, the accomplishments and successes of the immediate past governor of Lagos State, stood out amidst other past governors.

Speaking at the session, the former governor of Lagos State said, “Nigeria has benefited sufficiently from the contributions of several great lawyers who have served the nation resourcefully. Our existence is circumscribed by law itself, starting from the Constitution. We are the best persons trained not only in drafting the laws but interpreting and implementing the law.”

Among past governors showcased at the session on governance, were Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Former Governor Fashola of Lagos State.

Other governors in attendance include, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Ben Ayade of Cross River state, Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State, and former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke.

Past and Current public servants were also in attendance at the session. Some of these include, Head of service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, Senator Umar Dahiru Tambuwal, former chairman, senate committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Speaking at the session, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, challenged lawyers to live up to their responsibilities by rendering professional quality advice to the administrations under which they serve. He urged State Attorneys General to stop equating themselves with other commissioners whose offices are not created by law, as only the office of the Attorney General is recognised by law.

Enjoining those in government to check mate the oppression of the common man, Musdapher said, “By virtue of the ethics of our profession and training, we have to sit up and ensure that proper governance is done in any place we found ourselves,” he said.

While Imoke stressed the need for the restructuring of the country, his Akwa Ibom State Counterpart, Akpabio noted that the critical role of lawyers in governance couldn’t be overemphasized; attributing his “uncommon transformation agenda” to his professional standing as a lawyer.

In his remarks, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong urged every lawyer to support the anti-graft fight embarked on by  President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The session ended with guests and conferees establishing that lawyers were better placed to ensure good governance; and that law is the vehicle for the reformation of the economy.