The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the training of 30 lawyers
in the state to do Master’s degree programme in aviation, cabotage and admiralty, oil and gas, energy, taxation, alternative dispute resolution, among other specialized law areas abroad.
Governor Godswill Akpabio, who stated this on Monday when the Chairmen of Eket, Ikot Ekpene and Uyo branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in the state, led by Barrister Paul Ubom, paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo, said the government wants to commence training of lawyers to prepare them for the state’s emerging economy.
Akpabio therefore directed the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state to work with NBA in the state in selecting the best lawyers for the overseas training billed to last
for at least 18 months. The governor extolled the cordial working relationship between the
Akwa Ibom State NBA the state government, which resulted in the nomination and appointment of one of their colleagues as Secretary to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He said another position is there to be filled by any of them while President Goodluck Jonathan has nominated and sent the name of another Akwa Ibom State lawyer to Senate for confirmation as the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Advising them to embrace many opportunities by having a higher number of lawyers as their representatives at the national level, he sued for enforcement of justice and law to ensure peace and development in the state, saying: “Defend your client, but don’t allow criminals to go unpunished to serving as a deterrent to others.”
Akpabio, who pledged to ensure the completion and digitalisation of the NBA secretariat, Uyo branch, announced a N50 million take-off grant for the building of NBA secretariat, Uyo branch, directing the
Chairmen of Eket and Ikot Ekpene branches to look for parcels of land in the metropolis for their secretariats to equally attract government’s financial assistance.
On request for vehicles for law officers in the state, Akpabio hinted that the state government had given approval for purchase of vehicles for law officials and assured to build, equip and deliver a befitting
state Judiciary Headquarters before the tenure of his administration.
Speaking earlier, Ubom, accompanied by the Chairmen of Eket branch, Barrister Livinus Udofia, and that of Ikot Ekpene branch, Barrister Ekere Eshiet, said their visit is an opportunity to draw inspiration
and wisdom from the state governor for being a dream leader, practitioner of the profession.
He said the state NBA celebrates him for his historic leadership style within and beyond the country.
Ubom, who congratulated the governor on his appointment as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, his development strides in the state as well as appointment of some
lawyers into the State Executive Council, pledged their support and loyalty to his administration.
He appealed to the governor to assist them in the completion of a befitting NBA secretariat in Uyo, payment of professional fees to NBA members, provision of vehicles to law officers, building of a state-of-the-art court complex, training of lawyers in the emerging areas of law, sponsorship of members to NBA national and international conferences and implementation of Customary Court of Appeal Act in the state.
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