IF I STEPPED ON YOUR TOES, FORGIVE ME; MONDAY ADJEH, EX CHAIRMAN OF NBA BWARI BRANCH.

The immediate past chairman of NBA Bwari Branch, Mr. Monday Adjeh has asked for forgiveness if he has stepped on toes. He stated this in his valedictory speech during the bi-annual general meeting.

Read the speech below

 Gentlemen, of the Cradle Bar, it's needless to say, everything that has a beginning must have an end. Let me give Almighty God all the glory for the modest achievement recorded by the outgoing administration. The greatest joy of this administration is that, the Branch is not only known and respected among sister branches but has been adjudged one of the best 3 performing branches in Nigeria. This indeed should be the joy of every member of this Noble Branch, the Crable Bar. Our quest as an administration was to raise the Bar to an enviable position through our set agendas for the Branch. We are all aware of the fate that befell the Branch during END SARS imbroglio that led to wanton destruction of all our properties and records, thus returning the branch to her starting status. As God will always have His way, we have done our best in returning the secretariat to its useful shape.

As a focus administration, we indeed set 8 cardinal goals to achieve before leaving office viz a viz:

Providing free medical screening for all members at our monthly meetings.

Free diary for members

Establishing working Cooprative society for the branch.

Capacity building for members

Free logistic and accommodation for our young lawyers to the Annual General Projecting the image of the Branch at all given opportunities.

Enhancing and prompt response to members welfare.

Securing a befitting bus to ease our mobility challenges.

Securing a land for purpose of building a befitting Bar centre.

Introduction of sports and other recreational exercise and reward and of member's commitment towards the growth and development of the Branch.

Utilizing available opportunities in job creation for members.

Happily, it's my pleasure to announce to you that under this outgoing administration, the following achievements have been recorded in line with our mandate:

Over 10 members through our goodwill have been gainfully employed among who are: Fuki Dang, Juliana Ekwebelem, Mary Akanbi, Martha Isa, Dressman Ebikebina, Ihuoma and others.

We have secured two set of computers with printer as donation from NJI and ACJMC.

As an unbroken tradition of the branch, we have also published our Journal in honour of Justice Abdu Aboki, JSC (Rtd) proposed to be formally launched during the concluded Law week but due to factor beyond our control, this has to be posponed for purpose of using same avenue to generate huge fund for the Association.

Cradle Bar Cooprative Society has been registered and has since commenced operation. It is not in doubt that the current administration has witnessed the highest rate of both child births and Wedding ceremonies to the glory of God since the inception of the Branch thus joyfully increasing our welfare packages to deserving members and this duty we have dutifully discharged to those who promptly supplied their banks details. Under the harsh economy, we have successfully discharged on the production and distribution of FREE branded Branch diary to our members within the limit of fund available. We hope the incoming administration will improve on this. The introduction of take-off grant to all our working Committee's being first of its kind was also witnessed by all of us, when the sum of ₦10,000.00 was released to some of the active committees. It is of immense interest to state here that through our several programmes and organised webinars, our members capacities have been built, particularly for members who took the advantage to participate in some of the highly resourced events. Under the out- going administration, the following world class events among others were successfully held:

2022 Law Week

Rule of Law & Anti Corruption Programme

Branch 10th Anniversary 

2023 Law Week which attracted wide publicity across the globe.

Gentlemen, we have successfully sponsored members to the following national events including but not limited to the following: 

2022 Young Lawyers National Conference held in Abeokuta

2022 NBA SPIDEL held in Abuja

2023 NBA Women Forum conference.

Furthermore, we have given the Branch, full, adequate and meaningful representation at all levels within and outside jurisdiction AT NO COST FROM THE BRANCH.

Importantly, we are happy to add to the achievements of this outgoing administration that, we'll be handing over the donated bus by NIMASA to the incoming administration as we urge them to continue to maintain the bus and keep it in it current road worthy condition.

Sadly, we lost two of our members with the recent one being the death of our dear sister Jane Edak, who was a member of the Electoral Committee till her glorious departure. May the gentle souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Worthy of note is that, the success stories listed above could not have been achieved but for the sacrifices and unrelenting efforts of all of us, permit me to specifically and sincerely appreciate some of our Leaders, Elders, various institutions and friends of the Branch as space and time will only permit me to mention a few, Dr. Mohammed M. Ndarani the Pillar of the Branch, Our dear leader Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, SAN Doyen of the Branch, Past Chaimen of the Branch, Dr. Halima Doma-Kutigi and Mr. Dayo Ashonibare who were both instrumental to the donation of the bus through their respective influence. Chief (Dr.) Nweke for his constant donations, Elder Peter Omenka for your assistance in area of Capacity building and for creating Branch- British Council collaboration, the 2nd Vice President, Mr Clement Democrat for your passion and commitment to the growth of the Branch, to my refined, noble, cultured, responsible Members of the Cradle Bar, who have refused to betray the age long tradition and ethics of the Bar in the face of unfounded and unwarranted provocations. You're indeed the Leaders of the Branch and good ambassadors of our Noble Profession, after all, charity begins at home. No matter how big we claimed to be, the Branch is bigger and we must collectively build and not destroy same under any guise. ACJMC, NJI, British Council, Customary Court of Appeal, Rule of Law Development Foundation, NAPTIP, God's Apple Maternity and Golcni, visual.

Back to the Executive committee members, the result is collective, I thank you all for your support and being part of the success story. 

Let me pause here to thank my brother and friend who believe so much in our plans and programs and selflessly supported us financially, morally and making himself available at all times even when not convenient, I appreciate you Sir, gentleman help me appreciate the incoming Chairman, Paul Babatunde Daudu Esq.

Finally, for those who claimed we've stepped on their toes within the last two years, say we are sorry, but the reason must have been our quest to stand by the rule of the game without favour, and on a lighter note, let me quickly advise you not to place your toes on the pathway to avoid of stepped upon in the future ahead. No one has wronged me in person. I wish the incoming Executive which by God's grace am a privileged member by status, better achievement that will swallow the outgoing administration modest achievements. To my dear wife and kids who have suffered my absence as their father in the past two years in the course of my commitment in serving the Bar, I appreciate you. Gentlemen, the outcome of the just concluded election is a testimony of our resolve not to be perturbed by the usual fake news flying around, we are all winners and we must do our best to grow the Branch. Electoral Committee, you've done well!

Long live Bwari Branch the Cradle Bar!

Long live Nigerian Bar Association!!

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

MONDAY ADJEH ESQ