By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Akure branch, in Ondo state, is billed to honour and decorate Senator Bode Olajumoke and the publisher of Vanguard newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu.

While Dr Olajumoke would be honoured and decorated as the Grand Patron, for his contributions to the Bar, the Publisher of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr Sam Amuka Pemu would be honoured and decorated with The Friend Of The Bar award.

A relaxation centre built and donated by Senator Olajumoke, would also be inaugurated.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, ahead of branch annual Law Week, the Chairman, Onimisi Friday Umar, said that the Law Week of the branch will commenced from Sunday, November 9, 2025 and end on Friday.

Umar, said that, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode would be delivering the keynote address with the theme: “Nigeria: Quest for Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders.”

According to him, As lawyers, we have our duties and responsibilities. The judiciary itself and the government also have theirs.

“The ongoing conversation on judicial independence will also be addressed. We believe democracy thrives where there is an independent judiciary.

‎”We will also examine the electoral system because it determines the legislature and executive.

“If the process is defective, the products will be too. The amendment of the Electoral Act is ongoing, and our communique at the end of the Law Week will communicate our recommendations to the government and those in position to effect changes.

“One thing I can tell you is that when we look at the electoral system, we’ll also look at pre-election litigations, where party primaries often create problems that go up to the Supreme Court before being resolved.

“Personally, I believe some of these issues should be streamlined to determine which matters should go to court and which should not.

“By the grace of God, the Law Week will start on the 9th of November, 2025 with a church service for the Thanksgiving service.

” The venue is at the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, off Idanre Road, Oke Aro, Akure at 10 a.m.

“Lawyers and members of the branch will be gathered to thank the Almighty God for keeping us up to this very time that we are celebrating the 2025 Law Week.

‎”On Monday morning, we shall be having a health walk, wherein our members will be gathered at the bar center. We take off by 7 a.m., we go around the city, particularly the Alagbaka axis of the town, to also create awareness.

“Thereafter, in the evening of Monday by 6 p.m., we’ll be gathered at the Bar Centre again for the cocktail and gala night. That will end the activity for Monday, the 10th of November.
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‎”On Tuesday, the 11th day of November, is the opening ceremony where we’ll all be gathered at The Dome for the opening ceremony.

” We have a number of activities for the opening ceremony, but most importantly, and the one that will interest you, is that we have a keynote speaker who will be addressing us on the theme of the Law Week.

“That is in the person of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. He will be live in Akure while giving the keynote address. Of course, he will also be on ground to witness the commissioning of the Senator Dr. Bode Olajumoke Relaxation Centre at the Bar Centre.

“Thereafter, we’ll converge again for technical sessions at The Dome where we’ll be looking at the theme of the Law Week, which is “Nigeria: Quest for Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders.
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‎”On Wednesday, we’ll all be gathered at the Dome again for technical sessions, where we’ll be talking on issues of the moment.

“The first session will focus on the reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Service and how we rehabilitate ex-inmates. We have eminent personalities that will be doing justice to this topic.

“We’ll also be having a session on Electoral Justice through Legislation and the Court System, which is the judiciary. We thought it’s interesting that for democracy to move forward, there must be a judicial system that renders the services people need.

“Electoral Justice in Nigeria is so fundamental that we have to look at various possible ways of amending our electoral laws.

“There is an ongoing amendment process at the National Assembly, and we also want to examine those areas. We have Dr. Remi Olatubora, SAN, who will be doing justice to that as our lead discussant.

“We have the likes of Olumide Olujimi , SAN, as discussants, and our own son of the soil, Adamson Adeboro, SAN, will also be on ground to contribute.

“We invite members of the public as we intend to do live streaming so that they can also be part of the ongoing conversation as the Law Week progresses.
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‎”On Thursday morning, we’ll be visiting children’s homes, the lepers’ colony, and the Nigerian Correctional Service at Olokuta, where we intend to provide legal advice and donate humanitarian items.

” By 12 noon of that same day, which is the 13th of November, 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association football team will play against the Nigerian Medical Association(NMA) football team.

“‎In the evening of Thursday, we’ll be having our Law Dinner and Award Night at the Dome by 6 p.m., where we’ll party and recognize many of our members and indigenes of Ondo State.

“First among them is Senator Bode Olajumoke, who will be awarded Grand Patron of the branch. He has graciously donated a relaxation centre for the use of NBA members, his way of giving back to the profession that made him.

“Others to be honored include Mr. Olagoke Fakule, SAN; Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN; and Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, who is the Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee.

‎”Also to be recognized is Mr. Festus Kayode Idekpefu, SAN, originally from Ilutitun in Ondo State but practicing in Taraba. We want to bring people like that back home to identify with us.

“Our own Mr. Kofo Salam-Alada, recently retired as Director of Legal Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, will also be honoured. This year, we have decided to celebrate our own sons and daughters of Ondo State and beyond.

“The Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olabiyi Olayele Poroye, will be awarded Friend of the Bar. Hon. Dr. D. I. Kekemeke and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will also be decorated.

He added that “The Hon. Attorney-General, Dr. Oukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, and the Minister of Youth, Hon. Olawande Ayodele, will both be conferred as Friends of the Bar.

“Another recipient is Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, who will also be honored as Friend of the Bar. He will be here in Akure for the event.

‎”Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, the publisher of Vanguard, is a prince, but prefers being referred to as Mr. We recognize that simplicity in him, and we felt that that is worth celebrating, and that is why we make him a Friend of the Bar. A friend of the bar in the sense that he has always recognized with us. That is why we want to celebrate him this period.

‎”Another honoree is Dr. Michael Ajilo, who will also be recognized as Friend of the Bar. One of your colleagues, Mr. Shola Ajisafe, who has been doing well, will be recognized as a Patron of the branch.
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‎”On Friday, the 14th of November, we’ll converge at the Government House Mosque for a special prayer session to thank God and seek His guidance.”