Glitz And Glamour As The Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, Holds An Exquisite 2021 Annual Dinner(Photos)

Glitz And Glamour As The Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, Holds An Exquisite 2021 Annual Dinner(Photos)

By:Douglas Ogbankwa Esq.

It was a re-enactment of the Grammies and Oscars combined as Judges, Lawyers and Guests of the Nigerian Bar Association Benin Branch-the Lion Bar converged on the Prestigious Edo Hotel Events Centre, GRA, Benin City for the Annual NBA Benin 2021 Dinner to celebrate a Yearly Vintage Ritual that heralds the End of the Year Activities for the Bar and Bench.

The Chairman of the NBA Benin 2021 Annual Dinner Committee ,-Chris Otasowie Esq., and his team put together a riveting event in a well decorated hall of the traditional colours of the Bar and Bench.

The Anchor of the event- the evergreen and ever young Sam Mac-Ebi Esq ,who is also the Chairman of the NBA Benin Media Committee, gave a good account of himself as he moderated the programme with top notch expertise expected of a veteran like him.

The Chief Judge of Edo State, My Lord the Hon Justice Joe Itsabaga Acha , FICMC gave a very profound speech that captured the essence of the event. My Lord, The Chief Judge called for a friendly relationship between the Bar and Bench saying ,Lawyers and Judges are all one. My Lord made some observations , which was well taken by the Bar and in one of the issues raised, there was a concordance at the end of the day. My Lord attended the event with a retinue of Judges of the High Court of Edo State, Magistrates and Presidents of the Customary court.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, the charismatic, astute and intrepid Pius Oiwoh AICMC thanked the Judiciary for their support to the Bar saying the Bar is pleased with the cordial relationship between the Bar and Bench while making some observations, well received by the Bench at the Ceremony.

The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Edo State -Oluwole Iyamu SAN gave a brilliant Dinner Pep talk laced with some didactic elements and comic lines. The Learned Silk indicated that the relationship between the Executive Arm of Government and the Bar should be collaborative, stating that the Bar is a critical stakeholder in Governance Issues.

Ighodalo Inadegbelo SAN in his Dinner Pep Talk expounded on the need for Seniors to support the Branch for effective Branch Activities as it is a duty owed to the Bar.The Learned Silk’s Pep Talk also had some comic interludes.

The Branch then gave Special Awards to deserving Judges, Members of the Bar and Distinguished Members of the Public. The following Persons got the first sets of Awards -My Lord ,the Hon Justice J.I. Acha -the Chief Judge of Edo State, My Lord ,the Hon Justice P.I . Imoedemhe , My Lord ,the Hon Justice Efe Ikponmwonba,J.O. Aghimien SAN, Dr Osagie Obayuwana and General Charles Airhiavbere.

The following distinguished persons also got the other sets of Awards : ,My Lord ,the Hon Justice G.O Imadegbelo ,My Lord Hon. Justice J.O. Okeaya-Inneh ,My Lord, Hon. Justice V.O. Eboreime, My Lord Hon. Justice S O . Omonua , Chief G.C Igbokwe SAN, the Commissioner of Police Edo State -CP Philip Aliyu Ogbadu ,PSC+, the Member representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives -Hon Omoregie Ogbeide -Ihama, the immediate Past Member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives-Hon Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion ,Mrs Felicia N. Edokpolo, an Official of the Edo State Ministry of Justice and the Lady Captain of the Benin Club and Mrs Jane Aina Ailemen, a Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, avowed for her deligence to duties for no pecuniary gains.Other Dignatories present were My Lord ,the Hon. Justice VOA Oviawe , My Lord Hon. Justice I.O Omotoso, My Lord Hon. Justice Igho Braimoh, My Lord Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli, My Lord the Hon. Justice Tessy Eghe-Abe ,Charles Adogah SAN, O.A. Omonuwa SAN, OFR, Ken E. Mozia SAN Prof. Edoba Bright Omoregie SAN, Prof. Faith Osadolor, Solicitor General of Edo State and other Past Chairmen of the Branch -Solomon Odiase and Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen(PCO),who is avowed for rebranding the Benin Bar, the Lion Bar.

The event was replete with sumptuous Intercontinental and local cuisines and exotic drinks, just as attendees turned up in glamorous, flamboyant and vintage attires.

It was a grandiose ceremony of class and style,that left attendees spellbound at the seamless trajectory of the programme spiced with old school and contemporary music.

About the Author:

Douglas Ogbankwa Esq , @ douglasogbankwa@gmail.com , is the alternate chairman of the NBA Benin ,the Lion Bar’s Media Committee