ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has said the relationship between the executive and the other arms of government in the state is cordial.
He clarified that although the three arms are independent of one another, they maintain a robust, symbiotic relationship for the stability and development of the state
He also commended the leadership of the Yenagoa Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for taking the initiative to build a standard secretariat for the body.
Ewhrudjakpo gave the commendation when he led the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, the Bayelsa Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Biriyai Dambo (SAN) and other top judicial officials to perform the groundbreaking ceremony at the High Court Complex, Ovom, in Yenagoa.
Speaking as special guest of honour, he expressed delight at the initiative and encouraged all members of the Bar and Bench of the state judiciary to contribute meaningfully towards completing the project in record time.
He said the NBA Yenagoa resource centre would not be a place of funfair, but a centre of excellence for intellectual development and capacity building for legal practitioners.
According to the deputy governor, the facility when completed, will provide lawyers access to a lot of useful resources, in addition to being used for hosting ceremonies like the annual legal year celebration.
While assuring the Yenagoa NBA of government’s support towards the completion of the project, he, however, urged the Bar to take the lead for other stakeholders to follow.
Ewhrudjakpo, who advised members of Yenagoa branch of the NBA to eschew divisive actions, stressed the need for them to cooperate with the project committee to achieve set targets.
In her goodwill message, the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, applauded the courage and seriousness displayed by the Yenagoa NBA over the project, which she noted had been in the drawing board for so many years.
Describing the groundbreaking ceremony as a dream come true, Justice Abiri pledged support on behalf of all the judges and magistrates in the state, adding that NBA House would be used for this year’s Legal Year celebration if completed by November as planned.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Yenagoa NBA, Mr. Ukunbiriowei Saiyou, expressed joy over the commencement of the project in his tenure, noting that the idea of having the NBA House was mooted some 27 years ago.
Saiyou, who thanked the Deputy Governor and all who graced the groundbreaking ceremony, however, appealed for support from government as well as public spirited individuals and organizations to ensure the speedy completion of the project.
The President, Customary Court of Appeal, Mr Daniel Ayah, a legal luminary, Chief J.K. Gadzama (SAN) represented by Mr Mela Nunghe (SAN), judges and magistrates were among notable personalities that attended the groundbreaking ceremony.