The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has said the state was willing to partner the Judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) in making them better and more productive.
He stated this in Yenagoa,the state capital at the official groundbreaking ceremony of the Law House and research centre of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch.
Ewhrudjakpo noted that as a lawyer himself he was aware of the onerous job of a lawyer,saying that for any legal practitioner to be grounded in the profession,research was inevitable.
He lauded the Yenagoa branch of the Bar for the team spirit on the commencement of the project, promising that he would be personally making monthly contributions to ensure the Completion of the project.
“I commend the Yenagoa branch of the NBA for kick-starting this project. It’s good that as a body we’ve commenced the processes of having a house of our own where we can be carrying out our activities as a profession.Other times we’ve had our law weeks and other activities of the NBA in places that doesn’t belong to us as a profession. And so we must remember that as a tenant whenever your landlord is coming to take his rent from you,even you the tenant wouldn’t be at rest.
“This Law House as we’re made to understand would have a research centre where Lawyers can come and acquire additional knowledge to what they already know. And it would also be a place where as Lawyers we can also use for our activities as a profession. It’s a good project that all hands must contribute towards its success”, he said.
Also speaking,the Chief Judge of the state,Justice Kate Abiri reiterated her commitment and that of the entire state Judiciary towards the timely completion of the project,noting that the project was dear to her heart,just as she lauded the NBA for the initiating the project.
“As Judges and members of the Judiciary,we’re all going to play our various roles to see that this project is completed on time. Every Judge, Magistrates and chairmen of the customary courts of the state would all give their support. No matter how small it’s, we would be part of those whose names would be written down in gold when this Law House is completed”, she said.
In their separate good will messages,the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General,DiriyaiDambo,SAN and a presidential Aspirant in the forthcoming election of the Nigerian Bar Association,Chief Joe Gadzama,SAN commended the Yenagoa branch of the NBA for the initiative,adding that the project was apt, just as the SANs made donations and as well pledged their continuous support towards the completion of the project.
Meanwhile,the chairman of the Yenagoa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association,Barr. UkumbirioweiSaiyou,has lauded the chief Judge of the state and other Judges of the state Judiciary for their cordial relationship with the bar.
Saiyou added that the groundbreaking ceremony of the NBA house was partly made possible by the commitment of the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri whom he described as mother of the NBA and state judiciary in ensuring that the project becomes a reality, appealing to lawyers and the entire body of benchers to make their free will donations towards the realization and completion of the project in a record time.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa