The first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke, has described as end of wickedness in the country, the recent Owo Church massacre, which led to the death of about 40 worshippers in Ondo State.
Solanke made the remark at the commissioning ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) institute building in Abuja, last Thursday.
Solanke and governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, were the two legal icons honoured by inscribing their names on two wings of the NBA institute building recently commissioned.
The building consists of two wings and it houses the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) and NBA Human Rights Institute (NBA-HRI).
The NBA-HRI part of the building is named Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, while NBA-ICLE is named after Chief Falake Solanke.
Solanke, while appreciating the honour, tasked Nigerian leaders to urgently address the challenges of insecurity and economy, especially the continuing devaluation of Naira and rampaging brain drain in the country.
On the other hand, the Ondo governor, a former NBA president, while appreciating the honour, urged lawyers to continue improving the profession. He disclosed his plans to return to the legal profession after his tenure as governor.
He said he would not be heading to the Senate, as it is customary with most Nigerian state governors in the country.
The Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who led the commission ceremony tasked lawyers on the need for more public interest litigation to properly reposition the legal needs of the people.
The governor also called for equal access to justice in spite of status.
The president of the NBA, Olumide Akpata, on his part, charged members and executives to always improve upon whatever they meet.
He said that two years working as an NBA leader was sufficient to initiate any development initiatives and set the foundation for others to be continued by others.
The idea of the building was conceived by his predecessor and was brought to life by his administration.
He urged all who found themselves in positions of authority to contribute their bits to make the society better.
He said there is no need for any form of tenure elongation contrary to any laid down laws.
“Do your bit and leave the rest to others,” he stated.
