Clement Bibisa Kekemeke has been inaugurated as the 15th Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch. The inauguration ceremony, held in Yenagoa on June 25, 2025, came just four days after Kekemeke emerged victorious in the branch election.
The new executive will steer the association forward over the next two years, focusing on unity, advocacy, and professional development.
In his acceptance speech, Kekemeke expressed his deep gratitude to members of the bar for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading them. He emphasised that his administration would be defined by service, collaboration, and inclusivity, promising to build on the foundations laid by previous leaderships.
Kekemeke also made a passionate call for increased security for judges, highlighting the stark contrast between the minimal security provided to judicial officers.
He described the kidnap of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court on June 21, 2025, as a tragic reflection of the vulnerability of the judiciary, urging the relevant authorities to act swiftly to ensure the safe return of Justice Omukoro, aside putting measures in place to prevent future occurrences.
Drawing from his past experience as the immediate past Chairman of the NBA Yenagoa Welfare Committee, Kekemeke declared that the welfare of members would remain at the heart of his leadership. He also noted that his tenure would place a premium on strategic engagement with the Bayelsa State Government, particularly on issues of legislation and policy-making that directly impact the legal profession and the larger society.
Also speaking during the inauguration, the National Assistant Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Ebiere Ekpese, who congratulated the branch for conducting a credible election, charged the new leadership to prioritize unity.
Kekemeke graduated from the University of Ilorin and was called to the Nigerian Bar on November 15, 2007. As the Principal Partner at Serene Solicitors & Advocates, he brings to this esteemed position a wealth of experience and a proven track record of unwavering commitment to the legal profession.
Over the years, he has served the NBA Yenagoa Branch such as the Secretary of the Publicity Committee from 2013 to 2015, Secretary of the Human Rights Committee between 2017 and 2019, and Secretary of the Bayelsa State Committee on the Harmonization of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2018.
He has also been a member of several law week planning committees from 2022 to 2024 and chaired the Annual General Conference Planning Committee (LOC for NBA-Yenagoa Branch) in AGC, Lagos, 2022. Additionally, he served as Secretary of the Law Reforms Committee from 2021 to 2023 and was Chairman of the Welfare Committee until his recent election.
