The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, MON, was on Thursday honoured by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Badagry Branch, during the public presentation of the 2nd edition of the Heritage Bar Journal, where he urged Nigerians in public service to pursue excellence regardless of recognition.
Speaking at the 10th Annual Law Week in Lagos, the surprised honouree said the award came completely unanticipated but affirmed that committed service ultimately speaks for itself.
“I recall my many years at the Federal Ministry of Justice and the work put into developing the nation’s justice system.
“Sometimes the recognition comes many years later; this honour is one of such. I do not take it for granted, even though I know it is the will of God to have this privilege today. Whatever responsibility you have, put in your very best – this is my advice to those in public service.”
Representing the Chief Judge of Lagos State and Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, JSC, Hon. Justice Obafemi Adamson cautioned legal practitioners and the public against the rising trend of dissecting court judgments on social media without understanding the facts or legal principles behind them.
“Without even seeing the full decision of the court, some persons begin to analyse and say all sorts of things.
“The legal profession is noble, with structures and appropriate channels for grievances. Those dissatisfied with judgments should not turn to social media but to the next higher court.”
He added that the essence of legal practice is to preserve the sanctity of the Constitution:
“Lawyers and even non-lawyers sometimes fault judgments because a similar scenario got a different result. But if the parties fail to establish the principles of a previous case, the court may not apply the same conclusion.”
Justice Adamson prayed that the NBA Badagry Branch continues to grow stronger and that the legal profession “returns to its original honourable state.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman of NBA Badagry Branch, Lawal Rashidi, Esq., described Dr. Akutah as a distinguished public servant whose proactive leadership at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) aligns with national development priorities.
He noted that the publication of the second edition of the Heritage Bar Journal, four years after the first, reflects the branch’s commitment to academic depth and excellence, adding that the Law Week continues to serve as a platform for examining critical legal issues such as the theme for this year: “Judicial Reputation in the Digital Age: Challenges and Solutions.”
According to him, the Law Dinner, Journal Launch and Award Presentation also provide opportunities for the bar to engage the wider community:
“We meet, interact and appreciate members and colleagues who have relentlessly contributed to the growth of NBA Badagry Branch. Feel free to engage our members – they are fantastic lawyers of world-class standard.”
NBA’s 2nd Vice President, Bolatumi Animashaun, Managing Partner, Maritime and Commercial Law Partners, Chief Osuala Nwagbara; among others graced the occasion which drew judges, senior lawyers, commissioners, traditional rulers and public officials from within and outside Lagos State.
