Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged members of the legal profession not to rest on their oars in promoting and protecting human rights, rule of law and good governance in the country.

Speaking at the Elders Night of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held in Lagos at the weekend, he stated that the role of elders in NBA could not be over-emphasised.

Represented by the Secretary to the State, Mrs. Bimbo Salu-Hudeyin, he said there is a need to bring the wealth of experience of elders to bear in ensuring rule of law and fairness.

“I want to enjoin you to ensure the growth of the profession. I congratulate the Lagos Branch of NBA for this great feat, for keeping the legacies of the founding fathers. I urge you not to rest on your oars and ensure the good work continues.

“Our goal in Lagos is to implement necessary reforms for the socio-economic development of the state,” the governor said.

Former NBA president, Mr. Olumide Akpata, while receiving a plaque of honour, said: “My father advised me to study law. But this has been the greatest privilege of my life, being a lawyer. I wanted to study business administration. I will remain grateful to him for his guidance. Law has opened doors for me.

“I tell people that I am Lagos-based, Edo-born and Warri boy. When I started practicing in Warri in 1993, I was admitted into the NBA. The NBA is my home. I left Warri in 1996 and I still remained a member. I’ve also made friends. Relationships make the world go round. I’m grateful to all of you. I love people, and when I decided to run for president, they supported me. I must also thank the young people who worked with me. They are always there for me. No man is an island. You succeed because you have people around you.”

Akpata further stressed the need to mentor upcoming lawyers. “There are young people coming behind us.

What are we bequeathing to them? The legal profession in Nigeria, like any other in the world, must service the Nigerian economy.

“What are we doing about the curriculum in the law school? Dangote has built a refinery, how many lawyers participated in that construction?”

He said history would not be kind to the Bar “if we don’t leave enduring legacies to those coming behind us.”