The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed gave the charge, weekend in Ilorin, at the 2011 Annual Bar Dinner and Award ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House.

Alhaji Ahmed, who commended the judiciary for playing a critical role in stabilising the nation’s democracy, said NBA has a duty to explain government policies to the people, especially in advocacy to ensure that information is effectively disseminated to the public.  

According to him, it requires a technical, economical and general understanding to let people know that beyond mere removal of fuel subsidy, there are other implications involved, especially on what would give the ordinary man succour, saying the NBA owes it a duty to explain to Nigerians.  

He promised that the state government would continue to partner with the association and uphold the rule of law in the bid to take the state to the desired level of development.  

Alhaji Ahmed assured the people of the State that he would run an open door administration that is receptive to constructive criticism as well as create an enabling environment to take the State to the next level, vowing to continue to guide the rule of law jealously.  

In his remark, the Chairman of the occasion and the State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Kawu praised the NBA executive for its vision in putting together the dinner and rewarding some Nigerian personalities who have distinguished themselves, saying that it would serve as impetus and encourage them to do more.  

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Kamaldeen Ajibade, disclosed that the state government remains committed to safeguarding the constitutional liberties of the people of the State, assuring the Bar that access to justice would be made available and affordable through the justice sector reform.  

Earlier, the Chairman of the Ilorin branch of the NBA, Barrister Rafiu Balogun had commended the administration of Governor Ahmed for living up to expectation, describing the events of his first 100days in office as remarkable, especially in the areas of road rehabilitation and youth empowerment and urged him to sustain the tempo.  

Eight distinguished Nigerians, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali SAN, Lai Babatunde Esq; SAN, Dr. Ali Ahmad, Governor Obot Akpabio (OFR) of Akwa Ibom State, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje and the founder of the Heart of Gold, a non-governmental organization were honoured with various awards by the branch for their outstanding contributions to the legal profession.                                    

11/12/2011