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Fubara, George Weah declare NBA conference open, charge judges to promote justice, rule of law
Photo caption: Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara(left) and George Weah, former President of Liberia at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt on Sunday
The 66th annual general conference of the Nigrrian Bar association (NBA) began on Sunday in Port Harcourt, River State with Governor Siminalayi Fubara urging judged to promote justice and rule of law..
The River State Governor who declared the conference open also charged judges responsible for the administration of law and justice to consider the overall impact of their judgements on the polity, as law and order as well as the rate of national development are inextricably linked to the quality of justice the courts can deliver with integrity.
Fubara said judges must ensure that nothing but the truth prevails at all times , irrespective of the parties’ status or social affiliations.
“We cannot continue to insulate our laws from today’s reality; neither should justice remain shackled by unjust precedents, technicalities, inadequate access, undue delays, slavish adherence to rigid processes, political manipulation, or brazen corruption. The prevalence of these serious impediments to justice in our polity has damaged and continues to damage the reputation of the Judiciary and the bar,”he said.
Governor Fubara said that in a democratic society, the legal system sets out the rules of conduct and the basis for the relationship between government, public and private institutions and the citizens.
Apart from upholding the rule of law, Governor Fubara said, the judiciary is also essential to any country seeking to foster true democracy, good governance, and economic development. According to the Governor, the courts are not merely venues for resolving social disputes, they serve as the ultimate refuge for all, including the common man, to pursue true justice, accountability, human dignity and the enforcement of their legal and constitutional rights.
He contended that the ultimate aim of law is to protect and advance the security and wellbeing of citizens by ensuring equality before the law, safeguarding the fundamental human rights of all and fostering an environment conducive to socioeconomic activities and national transformation.
He noted that law, order, peace and meaningful progress prevail wherever the law is treated as sovereign, whereas denying the sanctity of the rule of law, true democracy and good governance negates the very logic of civilised existence and is a recipe for social disaster.
“Consequently, we expect that our judges should not be mere apologists or conformists if they are to be the ultimate guardians of our democracy, the rule of law and the advancement of peace and good governance in our country,” he said.
According to a statement signed by Onwuka Nzechi, Chief Press Secretary to the River State Governor, Fubara stated that public confidence on the quality of the nation’s judiciary will be enhanced only when judges demonstrate sound knowledge of the law, and display excellent legal reasoning, courage , commitment and integrity to hold the government and the governed equally accountable to the constitution and the rule of law.
“This is perhaps the only way to ensure that justice is not merely an ideal but one that can transform our society by being present in the life of our nation and of every citizen, including those at society’s margins, not just the privileged few.
” It is said that in times of uncertainty, particularly when political power attempts to overreach the Constitution and the rule of law, it is the courage of the legal profession that can intervene to nip such aberations in the bud and ensure that the process of power is not used to circumvent the laws of the land and the values of democracy,” he said.
Addressing the theme of the conference: “Beyond Limits,”
Governor Fubara charged Nigerian lawyers, as ministers and custodians of the sacred temple of justice to rise above real or perceived constraints to protect the Constitution and advance the people’s inherent rights to democracy and good governance.
“In Rivers State, we understand what it means to push beyond limits . We have walked through the furnace of power, may have been bruised, yet remain unbowed in our determination to safeguard our unity, peace and progress and are more resolved than ever in our commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” he said.
A former President of Liberia, Mr George Weah, who delivered the keynote address at the conference also emphasised the crucial role of the bar and the bench in safeguarding the rights and freedom of the citizenry and charged lawyers and judges to remain impartial in the delivery of justice.
Weah noted that an independent judiciary protected by a fearless judicial bar, is needed in every serious nation, warning that threats to democracy do not come only from the barrel of a gun or a defeated leader who refuses to hand over power, but from a situation where the judicial institutions might be weakened and unable to carry out their own duties.
He reminded the delegates that democracy doesn’t end on the election night, but it is tested every single day, adding that democracy cannot survive on strong men but on strong institutions.
The former Liberian leader described as a dangerous threat to democracy, governments that call themselves democratic but are corrupt and in bed with judges in order to undermine the rule of law and manipulate the society.
By Prof. Mike Ozekhome, CON
Happy 97th Birthday to a living legend, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb, LL.D,D.Litt, Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. A great man was born today, and Nigeria is still blessed by that birth.
When a man turns 97 and is still relevant, still building, still teaching and still healing, his birthday is no longer a mere episode. It becomes a national lesson and a celebration of life.
The man Afe Babalola is resilience clothed in humility,doggedness masked in simplicity. Born today in 1929, in a humble homestead in Ado-Ekiti, without any silver or golden spoon or privilege, he walked through life laboriously as farm labourer, Grade Two teacher, court registrar and became one of Africa’s most celebrated lawyers and educatioists.His life teaches that where you started can never define where you end.
From that humble beginning, he taught himself law by private study, passed all his examinations in flying colours and rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Today his name is synonymous with legal brilliance and integrity at the Bar for which he had shone and still shines for over six decades,and till date.
He is a builder in every sense of the word. At 80, an age many have retired from active service, baba founded Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD. What he conceptualized and built is not just a citadel of learning, it is a city within a city — vast farms, fish ponds, factories, industries, potteries, piggeries,electricity grid,and a world-class multisystem teaching hospital that rivals any in Africa.
At ABUAD, shining star shows that education must produce, not just certificate but societal relevance. The hospital has modular theatres, CT scan, MRI, ICU, dialysis and cutting-edge equipment. It is his gift to humanity, a proof that wealth is best measured by impact,not by loads of cash in the bank. .
Today at 97, the Aare still wakes up early mornings and sleeps late at nights,thinking of what to add, not what to take or rest on. That is the first lesson for today’s youths — hard work has no retirement age when purpose drives you.
The second lesson is that education has equally has no age limit. If a man who could not afford secondary school would later become a SAN and founder of one of the world’s leading universities, then no youth has any excuse to give up learning.
The third lesson is vision that works. Youths must learn that dreams must be planted like farms, nurtured like fish ponds,and built like factories. Baba Afe Babalola did not just talk vision, he manufactured,and walked it. He did not just dreamt dreams, he actualized them.
The fourth lesson is humility. With all his glittering array of titles,honours and massive wealth, our nonagenerian ( soon a centenarian, by God’s grace) still personally phones far younger ones like me,calling me “my son”. He still opens his doors, still listens,still advises, still mentors, still helps. Greatness that intimidates is fake;true greatness lifts. The Aare has epitomized the latter.
The fifth lesson is courage to start,even if late. He started his greatest legacy at 80. To every youth who thinks time has passed, Afe at 97 born today says you are still early if you start now.
The sixth lesson is integrity as capital. His name has remained untainted till date. In a world of shortcuts, he reminds youths that a good name is still better than silver and gold.
Today, as we celebrate him at 97, we celebrate more than age.We celebrate relevance. We celebrate patriotism. We celebrate impact. To live long is grace; to remain relevant at 97 is uncommon resilience.
Joining all patriots at home and in diaspora, I wish Aare Afe Babalola,the irrepressible advocate,courtroom gladiator, mentor of a generation, teacher of teachers,and philanthropist extraordinaire,a happy 97th birthday.May his hands be strengthened,his soul lifted, his muscles oiled, and his life prolonged ( Gen 6:3 ).
Born today, celebrated for all times. Happy Birthday, Papa.
Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, is set to host the 2026 Unity Football Tournament, an inter-community sporting competition designed to promote peace, unity, mutual understanding, healthy competition, youth development, and sustainable relationships among its host and catchment communities.
Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the tournament represents another significant platform for strengthening relationships between Dangote Cement Plc and its host communities through sports, youth engagement, social inclusion, and active community participation.
Mr. Olayiwola said the tournament shows the role of sports as a powerful instrument for bridging social differences, fostering peaceful coexistence, and building a sense of belonging among the diverse communities.
He said: “The competition will bring together participating communities, namely Oyo, Iwaa, Apata, Jakura, and Obajana, at the Dangote Academy, where football will serve as a unifying platform for friendship, sportsmanship, constructive engagement, and collective development.”
Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, urged the Local Organising Committee to work closely with relevant stakeholders and participating communities to ensure effective coordination and the successful delivery of the tournament.
The Plant Director emphasised the importance of transparent administration, proper player accreditation, adequate security arrangements, medical and health support, effective logistics, and strict adherence to established competition rules.
He said these measures are expected to ensure that the tournament is conducted in a safe, organised, fair, and professional atmosphere that reflects the values and standards of Dangote Cement Plc.
Speaking on the objectives of the tournament, Head of Social Performance at the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, said the programme goes beyond winning trophies and medals.
According to him, “the tournament is designed to foster lasting bonds among participating communities, encourage positive youth engagement, identify and nurture emerging football talents, and provide young people with opportunities to demonstrate discipline, teamwork, leadership, and sporting excellence.”
Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC) Mr. Iguoba John said the tournament will officially open Friday October 16, 2026.
Mr. John said that community-based sporting activities remain valuable tools for strengthening stakeholder relationships, promoting social cohesion, and building mutual trust between corporate organisations and the communities within which they operate.
Speaking on behalf of the catchment communities, Comrade Ayodele Julius, Youth Chairman and Youth Leader of Apata, assured the organisers of peaceful coordination among the youths and pledged support for an atmosphere of unity, cooperation, and mutual respect throughout the competition.
The Local Organizing Committee Chairman, Mr. Idris Emmanuel, disclosed plans for the official unveiling of the tournament jerseys alongside key stakeholders on 12th and 13th October 2026, as part of activities leading up to the opening ceremony.
He also called on traditional institutions, community leaders, youth organisations, sports enthusiasts, and other relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and mobilise their respective communities for active participation.
Similarly, the Local Organizing Committee Vice Chairman, Comrade Idowu Olukasam Owolabi, encouraged participating teams, community representatives, supporters, and other stakeholders to uphold discipline, fair play, mutual respect, and the spirit of sportsmanship.
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