“Ayatutu Lawyers Forum Not About Tribal Bar Politics” _ ALF Chairman
By Prosper Okoye
Chairman, Ayatutu Lawyers Forum. Oscar Aorabee, in an endeavor to correct the wrong mindset of some members of the association and the general public, reiterated the mission and vision of the forum, while giving his opening remark at the 2021 Ayatutu Lawyers Forum General Assembly. His speech came after the welcome address by this year’s Central Planning Committee Chairman and immediate past 3rd Vice National President Nigerian Bar Association Theophilus Terhile Igba.
Chairman CPC
Speaking at the Empire Suit hotel, Makurdi, where the entire Tiv lawyers virtually and physically converged to assess and celebrate their achievements for the year 2021; also to set the 2022 organization’s agenda. The chairman stated that since the formation of the forum in 2018, with the aim of fostering the spirit of unity, peaceful coexistence and well-being of members, the forum is yet to achieve this purpose.
“Intially some of our own saw the formation as a platform to contest local Bar elections,” said Aorabee. Lamenting the abysmal achievements recorded this year, and blamed it on the lack of collective collaborations on the part of members of the organization.
He continues, “with time we have tried with little success to prove that Ayatutu Lawyers forum is not all about tribal politics. But as professionals, we ought to strive to do better. As social engineers, we should not be seen to be short sighted in our coming together; we must aim at impacting the Tiv society in particular, and the Benue society at large in a positive way.”
However, he commended the efforts of Tiv lawyers who had achieved great feats the year in 2021, through their hard work and dedication.
The chairman’s letter of resignation tendered earlier in October 2021, was unanimously rejected, he was persuaded to continue in the helm of leadership until the 2022 general Congress.
The key note speaker, Dr. Matthew Atonko of Faculty of Law, Benue State University, Makurdi , while making a presentation on the theme: “The Role of a Tiv Lawyer in the Political and Socio-economic wellbeing of Tiv nation” asserts that from the traditional Tiv society to the early post colonial era, senior Tiv lawyers have made great political and Socio-economic contributions to the Tiv nation. But contemporary Tiv Lawyers are yet to meet the challenges of their time.
Noting that the attributes of being well learned, honest, forthright, and eloquent was essential to the successes achieved in the past. He called on young Tiv lawyer to continually develop themselves so as to meet up with contemporary law trends and tackle emerging societal challenges.
Corroborating his presentation, Matthew Burkaa Gwar _ a young Tiv lawyer who was recently conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria said he got to this height because of his interest in legal areas where other lawyes think are very difficult, thus do not explore. ” The world has gone pass litigation; what ever I see the South West lawyers do, I also do. I join them to attend courses on insolvency, arbitration, maritime and other online courses.
Speaking in the same vein, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Terkura Douglas Pepe reiterated that for any lawyer to climb the ladder of success in his chosen area of legal practice, he or she must first pay the price of hard work, perseverance, dedication, commitment and above all determination and resilience to succeed. While admonishing the young lawyers in particular, he enjoined them to look beyond immediate pecuniary benefits; rather should strive in carving a niche for themselves and sit back to enjoy the fruit of their labour.
Also towing the path of learned Silks, an elder state man and Member of the Ayatutu Lawyers Forum Board of Trust Terwase Kogi, The representative of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Peter Ukande who is also the Director of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Former Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch, Nathan Gwebe, Tom Uja all enjoined Tiv Lawyers to follow the part of honour in the course of discharging their duties.
Erudite Professor of Law in the faculty of law, Benue State University, Makurdi Akaa Imbwaseh pricked the consciousness of the Forum to begin the campaign for the inclusion of customary arbitration into our Judicial system to make way for the good customary arbitration system posited by the guest speaker as against the adversary system invoke. While Margaret Atu a Member of Board of Trustees and Member Benue State Judicial Service Commission advocate for more female lawyers participation and discharge of duties with integrity.
Awards of Excellence was presented to Senator Dr. Gabriel Suswam, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa SAN, Chief S.T Hon, SAN. FCIArb, Dr. Paul Tavershima Angya, DCP Simon Lough, SAN, Bernard I. Nule Esq and Steve Abar Esq for their outstanding achievements and contribution to the development of Tiv nation.
Wednesday’s event of 29th December, 2021, was attended by Benue State Attorney General, Michael Terhemen Gusa; past national vice President Nigerian Bar Association and member JSC plateau state, Steve Abar; Chairman Nigeria Bar Association Makurdi Branch, Justin Gbagir and his Secretary F. B Mnyim, Esq ; Former Chairmen of Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch T. T Hyundu, Esq, Mike Assoh, Esq, State Coordinator of National Human Right Commission Barr. Joshua Tyogher, PSA cabinet office on legal matters, D. D Asema among others.
Chief E.K Ashieka SAN, Chief S. T Hon SAN amongst others extended their apologies for their inability to grace the occasion
Chief Dr.C.M Ekpendu and the Company Secretary of Benue Investment and Property Company Prince Toryem virtually attended the event. .
