…as Ex-President Jonathan to declare branch Law Week open

By Emem Idio, Yenagoa 

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yenagoa branch has called on government at all levels to critically look into the minimum wage issue that has been a topic of worry for Nigerians, and work out the modalities for not just a minimum wage, but a living wage Nigerian workers can meet up their needs with.

The Chairman of NBA Yenagoa Branch, Somina Johnbull who stated this while addressing a press conference to mark the commencement of the 2024 Law Week also called on government at all levels to intently look into the power sector of the country and innovate actionable plans and policies that would stem in the tide the age-long epidemic of power inadequacies that has plagued the country and affected our economic growth from the beginning of time.

He said former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to grace the plenary session and declare open the 2024 Law Week of the NBA, holding in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital on June 28th.

The branch chairman explained that the choice of former President in view of the broad theme of the Law Week “The Legal Profession in a time of Socio-Economic Uncertainty,” was carefully selected on account of the foundation for the growth of the legal profession laid by the former President during his stint as Governor of Bayelsa State.

Johnbull, who was flanked by other executives of the branch,said the theme of the 2024 Law was carefully selected in the light of the harsh economic realities bedevilling the country, adding that the law week promises to be an illuminating time for legal practitioners and the legal profession.

According to Johnbull, the keynote address for the law week which would be delivered by the erudite, Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya, JSC, CON, will seek to amongst other things open new vistas of ways legal practitioners and the legal profession can weather the storm in cushioning the impact of the socio-economic issues plaguing our country at this time. 

He said: “In the course of the law week, there would also be a Plenary Session of discussants comprising of top brass jurists and legal practitioners who have significantly distinguished themselves and added unassailable capital and excellence to the growth of the legal profession in Nigeria.

“The panel of discussants will extensively discuss the topic, “Socio-economic uncertainty of legal practice in Nigeria: Law in the global economy”. No doubt this topic was selected in view of the fact that the socio-economic survival of the legal profession will in no mean measure guarantee the socio-economic survival of the country, as it is often said. “Law is a tool for social engineering and Nation-Building, and it is the fabric that binds fractured segments of society together”.

“One of the major highlights of the week-long programme would be, our annual law dinner, and this year’s dinner would be a top-scale event; a well-manured ground for networking opportunities, knowledge-sharing and getting up close and personal with the egg-heads of the legal profession and political leaders of great repute.

” I cannot end this address by skipping the burning issues of national discourse which is on the lip of every Nigerian. It is on this note I send out a clarion cry to government at all levels to critically look into the minimum wage issue that has been a topic of worry for Nigerians, and work out the modalities for not just a minimum wage, but a living wage Nigerian workers can meet up their needs with.

“Governments at all levels should also initiate people-oriented policies that would bring respite to the downtrodden and economic-disadvantaged members of society. Truthfully. Nigerians are currently grappling for breath as a result of the economic-reset policies of the government at the Federal level.

“We desperately need a breather, and I am rest assured that the Federal Government will accede to the yearnings of the people.

“I also passionately call on government at all levels to intently look into the power sector of the country and innovate actionable plans and policies that would stem the tide of the age-long epidemic of power inadequacies that has plagued the country and affected our economic growth from the beginning of time.

Government should note that the growth of our economy is intrinsically tied to a viable power sector.”

The NBA branch chairman thanked the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Ph.D. the Minister of State. Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, Ph.D for their support towards the holding of the Law Week. 

The Yenagoa NBA branch chairman also commended the immense support and encouragement received from Hon. Justice Matilda Abraksa Ayemieye, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State.

“As a nation, we must note that our justice delivery sector is an indispensable wheel for the progress of the country, hence, I appeal to the Federal and the State governments to ensure that the judiciary of every State is autonomous and allowed to thrive independently devoid of any form of interference. Thankfully I can attest to the fact that in our dear Bayelsa State, the State

Government has fully implemented the autonomy and independence of the Judiciary.

“I also call on courts at every stratum to give judgments based on sound legal reasoning equity and good conscience so that justice which is the last hope of the common man can be accessed by all irrespective of tribe, political leaning, ethnicity, religion, sect, gender, social status and race. 

“The leadership of the judiciary should come up with mechanisms to nip the prevalence of conflicting judicial pronouncements by courts of coordinate jurisdiction in the bud Judicial pronouncements which are hallowed spectacles should be consistent, and delivered with a measured with degree circumspection and  discretion,” he said.