It was an afternoon of encomium, praises and celebration as Bayelsans gathered to celebrate one of their own recently conferred the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The general language was that humility and hard work produced this great achievement, Our Correspondent EBI KESIENA writes
Recently, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) elevated 72 legal practitioners to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigerian (SAN). The Committee, in a statement by the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court disclosed that it took the decision at its 149th Plenary Session. It added that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, would swear-in the new SANs on December 8, 2021, at a ceremony scheduled to hold at the Supreme Court.
For the oil rich Niger Delta State, Bayelsa, December 8 was a day of joy, as excitement filled the air because the state secured in slot in the roll call of the elite club of legal practitioners, as one of its illustrious son, Kemasuode Wodu was conferred the SAN status.
Bayelsans within and outside Abuja stormed the nation’s capital to celebrate Wodu at a reception ceremony to commemorate this giant stride, which brings the number of SANs in Bayelsa State to five.
Just as there was lot to eat and drink, there was a roll call of dignitaries, top government officials, lawmakers, family, friends, colleagues in the legal profession, as well as other well-wishers, bringing together the who is who in Bayelsa State.
The name Kemasuode Wodu Esq is a household name in Bayelsa State. He was a onetime Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the administration of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. He is also into his Private Legal Practitioner at Kemasuode Wodu & Associates. Wodu was also a former Chairman of the Eastern Bar Forum.
For Wodu (SAN), it was an opportunity for him to host his kinsmen, business associates, colleagues in the legal profession, and other well-wishers across the country to a grand reception for their prayers and support for the national honour bestowed on him.
Chairman of the occasion, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, HRM Hon. Justice F. F. Tabai (JSC) stated that the Ijaw nation is lucky to have one SAN among the 72 elected. He said Wodu is being celebrated for his hard work and commitment, and that the honour is not only befitting of Wodu, but long overdue.
Retired Justice Tabai thus used the opportunity to call on the top legal practitioners in Bayelsa State to train more young lawyers who will fit into the appropriate positions in national affairs.
He also urged young people to wake up, be hard working and compete with others in their chosen field, adding that the ijaw nation has competent hands that will be of national asset in the coming years.
Also speaking, was Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri who broke into a song of thanksgiving, noting that this great achievement will boost the image of the state in the legal community.
He congratulated the new SAN, insisting that Wodu has all it takes to function properly in the office as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
‘‘Today is a very happy day for us as a state and joking with Wodu, I have always called him SAN in waiting, our government is an administration of prosperity and Bayelsa has added one more SAN today and I must say this is the prosperity we are talking about.
‘‘Wodu is a home-grown SAN and I like to say a big thank you to God and to all those who started this journey, the immediate past governor, my lord the Chief Judge and all those who believe in the prosperity of our state.
‘‘Let me on behalf of your state, say Congratulations to you, to your wife and your entire family and your mother for raising such a great man,’’ he said.
Immediate Past Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Henry Serike Dickson while congratulating Wodu on the success, explained that it was a deliberate effort to get more senior members of the bar to the state.
He urged young people to keep aside material gains and strive for self-improvement whenever any opportunity is made available.
‘‘I join others to celebrate Wodu today and his dear wife, this is a lot awaited and well deserved honour, we kept praying for it and talking to ourselves. I thank the LPPC and all who have been part of this consented success, we were consciously making efforts to get more senior members of the bar.
‘‘Knowing Wodu as a young lawyer when I was still in practise, we became friends and colleagues, so when I became governor, I wasted no time in bringing Wodu in. We are delighted today and I can say that Wodu is a great man, very honest, dedicated, firm and courageous,” he added.
Speaking with our correspondent on the side-lines of the event, Preye Agedah Esq, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice Bayelsa State, explained that Wodu has shown that “there is no hard and fast rule to success, all that a person requires is diligence, hard work, focus and commitment.”
‘‘We are here to celebrate with our former Attorney General and I am part of the state’s official delegation from Bayelsa state, we are highly elated and there was jubilation in the ministry of justice when the report got to us that Kemasuode had been nomination for the rank of SAN and today the conferment has been done and brought to reality. We are very happy and hopeful that with this more will come to the state. He has passed through the ministry of justice and am sure that more who pass through the ministry will attain the ranks.
‘‘I have known Wodu as very diligent focused and hardworking lawyer, I worked with him for about 5 years when he was attorney general and I know the choice the legal body has made for the choice of SAN from Bayelsa State is a fantastic choice, he will represent us well, he will hold his end up anytime, anywhere, we are grateful to God and thank the authorities for recognising the man’s diligence,’’ he said.
With joy and laughter, the man of the day-Kemasuode Wodu Esq stated that speeding up cases is critical to the development of the country and economy.
‘‘There is division of labour but we will take steps that will speed up the hearing of cases in court, which is very important to our economy, insecurity is all affect by this so if we get it right our economy will improve, our security situation will improve.
‘‘I feel elated and I am very happy because it is a dream come through for me, although it’s been long awaited but there is time for everything and I know this is Gods appointed time for me and by the grace of God we will use it to the benefit of the legal profession, the society and the country at large,’’ he said.
