By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, foremost Pan- Africanist, Prof PLO Lumumba, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice- Admiral Idi Abbas, among other guests are expected to speak at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa Branch Law Week Plenary Session.

Chairman of the branch, Mr Clement Kekemeke, in a world press conference addressed on Friday in Yenagoa, said the theme of the Law Week,“Securing the Future” issues a clear and deliberate call to responsibility within the legal profession and affirms that the future of society is neither incidental nor self-perpetuating, but must be consciously safeguarded through law, discipline, and principled action.

Kekemeke who was flanked by the Chairman and members of the Law Week Committee, Dr Jude Rex-Ogbuku and other executive members of the Branch,said: ‘’At a time when governance structure, public trust, and democratic institutions are under mounting strain, the theme calls upon the Bar to transcend technical practise and embrace its role as an active steward of society, ensuring that our common wealth and national pride are protected for the future through justice, accountability, and the rule of law as the bedrock of collective progress for a productive Nigeria.

“Given the distinguished array of panelists for the Plenary Session, there is no doubt that the 2026 Law Week is perfectly cast. Justice will be done to the topic at the Panel Session: “National Assets Protection: Nigeria’s Shared Responsibility.”

“By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with cutting-edge insights on national assets protection, regulatory compliance, and emerging opportunities, with particular focus on the losses and gains recorded in the collaboration between statutory organizations, like the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and private Security Organizations, a sustainable national assets protection policy within the framework of the law..”

According to Kekemeke, while former President Jonathan will chair the Law Week Plenary Session,Prof Lumumba, who is the keynote speaker, will speak on the topic “Sustainable National Assets Protection in Africa: Opportunities, Risks and Regulatory Pathways’’.

He noted out that Lumumba is best suited for the topic, given his reputation as a foremost African constitutional lawyer, advocacy for transparency in governance, his background in Law of the Sea, and as an anti-corruption advocate.

’’ His Pan-African perspective brings a continental dimension to the discourse, enabling a comparative and forward-looking analysis of governance, regulatory compliance, and public accountability across Africa. His intellectual depth and oratory prowess position him to provoke critical thinking, inspire reform-oriented dialogue, and set the tone for an engaging panel session’’ he said.

According to Kekemeke, the plenary session will be held at the National Content Tower on Friday, June 5th, and will feature distinguished Nigerians such as Justice B.M Ugo, Justice of Appeal Court, Minister of State, Petroleum (oil), Senator Heinkein Lokpobiri, MD, NDDC, Sam Ogbuku, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice- Admiral Idi Abbas, Dele Adesina, SAN, Capt Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services, Tantita Security Services, and Mr Inisuo Wills, environmental activist.

He added that as part of its social responsibility, the NBA Yenagoa Branch, in collaboration with the Yenagoa-Ovom Community, will hold a legal clinic and also visit Martha’s Home for the elderly.