By Precious Oham
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikere-Ekiti Branch is set to commence activities for its 2023 Law Week in a grand style.
Speaking at a press conference in Ikere-Ekiti on Monday, Chairman, NBA, Ikere-Ekiti Branch, Asiwaju Dr. Michael Afolayan said the theme of this year’s Law Week is “Security and People’s Welfare in Nigeria Democratic Experience: Leveraging the Legal Practice as a Catalyst.”
While listing the activities lined up for the week-long event, he enjoined members of the public to join them in seeking ways to make the country better.
His words: “Annual Law Weeks are organised by the NBA Branches to serve as an interaction or meeting point between Lawyers and members of the Public, with specific emphasis on impacting on governance, specific challenges in the public space and proffering solutions to social ills.
“Law Week generally affords us the opportunity to give back to the society! NBA Ikere Ekiti Branch commenced Law Week Activities in 2019 under the Leadership of Oludayo Olorunfemi as the Branch Chair. Law Week has since been held annually at the Ikere Ekiti Branch, except in 2020. This is therefore the 4th Law Week being held in this Branch of the NBA.
“The Leadership of the Branch in conjunction with the 2023 Law Week Planning Committee arrived at the central theme for this Law Week; “Security and People’s Welfare in Nigeria Democratic Experience: Leveraging the Legal Practice as a Catalyst” having considered the main challenges of Nigerians, Lawyers inclusive, and then reflected on how we as lawyers, can through the instrumentalities of our calling or profession resolved these challenges.
There is no doubt that security and welfare of the people are the major duties of Government at all levels. It is equally obvious the Government is overwhelmed in meeting this core mandates as specified and stipulated in the Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended)!
“Lawyers therefore owe it a duty to constantly remind the Government of these core duties, and also seek ways to complement Government’s efforts by unleashing our skills and potentials in resolving these issues. This is what we intend to achieve in this year’s Law Week commencing today, Monday 19th June, 2023 to be concluded on Sunday, 25th June, 2023.”
The following are the Activities lined up for the Law Week
Event 1 Press Conference
Time: 9:00 am
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Event 2 Opening Ceremony/4th Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Public Lecture
Time: 10:00 am prompt
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Event 3 Opening Cocktail
Time: 5:00 pm prompt
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Host/Sponsor: Dayo Akinlaja, SAN
Tuesday 20th June, 2023
Event 1: Free Legal and Health Clinic
Time: 9:00 am
Venue: Open Space beside Post Office, Odo Oja, Ikere-Ekiti
Sponsor: Aare Oluwole Orungbe and Yeye Aare Abimbola Orungbe
Event 2: Inter Faculties of Law Debates
Time: 11:00 am
Participants: Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, and Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Sponsor: Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, SAN
Wednesday 21st June, 2023
Event 1: 3rd Late Hon. Justice Michael Ekundayo Ogundare, CON, JSC. Annual Public Lecture
Guest Lecturer: Hon. Justice Cornelius Ilori Akintayo (Rtd.)
Time: 10:00 am prompt
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Sponsor: Family of Late Hon. Justice Michael Ekundayo Ogundare, CON, JSC
Event 2 1st Plenary (Legal Practice and Farming as a Small Scale Enterprise in Nigeria – Areas of Collaboration between Lawyers and Bank of Industry).
Time: 12:00 noon prompt
Sponsor: Bank of Industry
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Guest Lecturer: Regional Head, Bank of Industry.
Thursday 22nd June, 2023
Event 1: 2nd Plenary (Young Lawyers Forum Session)
Time: 10:00 am prompt
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Papers 1: Prof. Doyin Awoyale, SAN (Contemporary Issues Facing Young Lawyers in Nigeria)
Paper 2: Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, Deputy DPP Lagos State (Decongestion of Court Dockets and Correctional Centres through the Plea Bargain & Restorative Justice Initiatives).
Paper 3: Mrs. Adetutu Mayowa-Idowu, Chief Magistrate, CMC, Oke-Eda, Akure. (Financial Planning for Young Lawyers)
Event 2: Young Lawyers Hangout with the Chairman
Time: 4:00 pm prompt
Venue: Inspiration Hotel, Moshood Road, Off Ise Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Sponsor: Gbenga Lugard Agbomoagan, Esq. (Probono Solicitors LP)
Friday 23rd June, 2023
Event: Black Tie Law Dinner, Award and Appreciation Night.
Time: 3:00 pm prompt (Red Carpet)
4:00 pm Dinner Programme Commences
Venue: Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Bar Centre, University Road, Ikere-Ekiti
Sponsor: Mr. Adedayo Toba Apata, SAN (Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice)
Sunday 25th June, 2023
Event: Thanksgiving Service
Time: 10:00AM
Venue: St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Kajola, along Ado Road, Ikere-Ekiti.
Dress Code: All White0000