A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr Yakubu Maikyau has been sworn in as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, following the expiration of Olumide Akpata led administration’s two-year tenure.
Mr. Maikyau, who was sworn in as the 31st President of the NBA, won the election held earlier in July with 38,000 votes.
At the swearing-in in Lagos, the President commended his predecessor’s administration for the giant strides it recorded at the NBA in the last two years.
In his acceptance speech, Maikayau urged members of the legal profession to provide leadership to the country.
Maikyau urged the Federal Government to show commitment to the protection of lives and properties in the country.
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He made the appeal against the background of the spate of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and killings 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.
“Nigerians have been so terrorized, pauperized and what is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession. This voice must speak against the terror in the land and this is the charge that my administration will spare no one”, he said.
Maikyau stressed that Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the manifestation of members of the bar to salvage the nation.
Earlier in his handover address, Olumide Akpata gave assurance that the NBA will continue to protect the cause of the society and make Nigeria a better place through its section, Special Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) under the leadership of Dr Monday Ubani.
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Mr Akpata noted that many things are holding the country back as the Nation stressing that the NBA is the only association that is reflective of the country.
“NBA needs to show this country how things should be done and rise above selfish interests. We must show our leaders how things should be run in the country.
“In the NBA, we exist for our members but we must also speak for the lesser members of society.”
Akpata also urged the association to rise in defence of Judiciary.
He said 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 looks 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.
