TEXT OF ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY THE CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, UDO UDOMA CHAMBERS- UDO, EDOABASI, AT THE INURGURAL SIR UDO UDOMA MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES & EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROTOCOL: 1. It is an honor and privilege for me to extend a warm welcome to you all on this occasion of the SIR UDO UDOMA MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES & EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2014. 2. This Lecture is the first in a new series to honoring a philosopher-king and an erudite jurist in the person of the late HON. JUSTICE (SIR) UDO UDOMA, J.S.C; CFR (1917-1998); a man who made immense contributions to the development of law in the Commonwealth, and who became one of Nigeria’s founding-fathers. 3. Sir Udoma spent his life developing the law and reforming political thoughts. He was a sage and a man of honesty and integrity with frank opinion on policy matters to whom Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (the former military president of Nigeria) described as: “a distinguished jurist of world renown, an acclaimed orator, an activist in the campaign of minority rights and the creation of more states, an adjudicator and a mediator in numerous national disputes, an elder statesman, a personality of exemplary character, and a national property of inestimable value”. 4. Sir Udoma like other founding-fathers of Nigeria dreamt of a self-reliant Nigeria, a Nigeria whose voice is heard in international fora, a Nigeria which is socially, culturally, politically and economically progressive; and a Nigeria which can provide a reasonable decent living standard to all its citizens. 5. It is for this reason that a lecture on the theme, “LAW AS THE DRIVER OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENGINEERING”, may not have come at any better time, especially when considering that it is the law which establishes the parameters for business development for the attainment of socio-economic prosperity in any nation. And of course, a good process of adjudication, law enforcement and a modernized regulatory environment also ensure enhanced investor confidence and a more competitive market. 6. Consequently, today’s lecture will feature deliberations on: • The existing legal and fiscal frame-work for the industrialization and trade and investment development in Nigeria • The effects of federal laws on the socio-economic growth of the federating-states of Nigeria • As well as the capabilities of Akwa Ibom as the emerging hub for trade and investment in the Gulf of Guinea. 7. We are indeed privilege to have Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN as our Keynote Speaker today. Mrs. Adekoya, SAN; currently serves as member, Legal Committee, National Council on Privatization and Life-Member, Body of Benchers. She is a former Vice President of the NBA, the immediate past Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK – Nigeria branch; and member of several professional bodies both local and international. I also like to welcome all the Paper Discussants: Rt. Hon [Barr.] Ekong Sampson, House Member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Barr. James Essien, a one-time Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State. Dr. Kingsley Ekwere, Secretary at the Akwa Ibom State Law Reform Commission, Barr. Godwill Umoh, a two-time Hon. Commissioner in the Akwa Ibom State Government. 8. I welcome His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief [Dr.] Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON. I welcome Her Honor, the Deputy Governor, Noble Lady [Barr.] Valerie Ebe, and members from the State Executive Council here present. 9. May I pay profound respects to Rt. Hon. [Elder] Sam Ikon, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for accepting our invitation to Chair this event. I also acknowledge the presence of members of the State House of Assembly who are here. 10. I heartily welcome the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, His Lordship, the Hon. Justice Idongesit Item Isua, and members of the State Judiciary who are here. 11. I welcome the Dean of Law, Prof Enefiok Essien; as well as all members of staff of the University of Uyo, who are also here. 12. The presence of so many distinguished people here today is a source of encouragement to us. And I extend a hearty welcome to the elected and appointed officers of government that are here, members of the Nigerian Bar, all our invited guests; as well as my colleagues from the Faculty. 13. And in a most special way, I welcome all members of the Sir Udo Udoma family here present, including the Distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, CON, a two-time member of the Nigeria Senate and a leading-light in the legal profession. 14. At Udo Udoma Chambers, we have emerged as a source of pride of the Law Faculty. And within just one academic year of my assuming the leadership of that Chambers, the Chambers has witnessed immense growth and unprecedented developments. A career-training programme known as TheLawgineeringSeriesTM has been introduced. TheLawgineeringSeriesTM is a first from Udo Udoma Chambers, and it forms the core of our deliberate policy-designed to assisting the students establish a solid foundation for a career in the legal profession and programmed to helping the students gain the right exposure for 21st century Leadership. 15. And in just six months before the strike action by ASUU, we organized several formal and informal development programmes including leadership development sessions and moot-court sessions. 16. Other achievements under my leadership include, though not limited to the following: • The publication of the Chambers Information Brochure [which is another first from Udo Udoma Chambers] • The production of special souvenirs for fresh students • The refurbishment of the Chambers’ Editorial Board • The floating of a webpage on the internet which gives the Chambers an interface with the online community • The design of a logo for the Chambers • The design of a logo for this Lecture Series • And for the very first time in ten [10] years, the Udo Udoma Chambers Annual Investiture Ceremony was hosted for this present academic session just last year. 17. And in line with our vision of building an Ivy-League Law Firm, we have today instituted THE SIR UDO UDOMA MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS. The Sir Udo Udoma Memorial Lecture Series and Excellence Awards is now established as this Chambers’ flagship programme, and would be hosted annually. This has further consolidated our leadership position in the faculty. 18. The Lecture Series is aimed at promoting democratic ideals and good governance for the economic and socio-political development of Nigeria, to which Sir Udoma struggled to advanced all his life; and as well provide a forum where young people can connect with older professional to find inspiration. The Series will provide a platform for academics, lawyers and policy-makers to meet and brainstorm on policy-issues and matters of governance for the advancement of the nation. 19. And with the needed financial support from everyone, we will achieve even much more and that will include, though not limited to the following: • The Publication of the Chambers’ Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues • The hosting of regular editions of TheLawgineeringSeriesTM [which embraces leadership development symposiums, as well as moot-court competitions between us and other Chambers within and outside the University] • The procurement of a utility bus to support our various operations and engagements • The hosting of the Year 2014 Investiture Ceremony in June 20. We are proud to be the Chambers that is flying the colours of the Law Faculty, and we are proud to remain the Intellectual Arm of LAWSAN. We foresee change, understand expectations and realize needs. In our various operations, we have marched vibrancy with cutting-edge standards and developing innovative ideas which are unrivalled and unequalled by other chambers at the Faculty. We are now consolidating on our existing reputation for independent thinking. And we will continually exceed expectations. 21. To the man we have all come to celebrate, I will like to borrow the words of Chief Rotimi Williams, SAN [of blessed memory], who described the late sage thus: “Sir Udo Udoma is the only Nigerian Judge I know of whose judgments have been widely discussed and referred to in other parts of the Commonwealth on libel and slander. In many fields of law, his contributions bear the mark of profound learning which will last generations to come”. 22. Needless to say, Sir Udoma was an institution in himself. He will continue to be a source of inspiration to the younger generation. 23. Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are grateful and most honored by your very esteemed presence, and with much pleasure, I welcome you to the SIR UDO UDOMA MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES AND EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2014. Thank you.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 17:52:48 +0000
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