The Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association has commended members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for being at the forefront of promoting good governance in the country.
The body said the Assembly was able to do this through the various legislations passed by the House to put Lagos State far above other states in the country.
Speaking when members of the association paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, in his Ikeja office, the Chairman of the 2012 Law Week Committee of the Lagos NBA, Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, said: “We, as lawyers and members of the NBA Lagos branch, do not play to the gallery.
“We don’t just commend people until we know such people’s background. And we don’t just visit people anyhow.
“We are aware of the moves by some people to tarnish your image; but having studied you for long, and being fully aware of your antecedents as a very decent man, we are sure of your excellent background.
“We know you were not a pauper before you came into politics, and we also know you will not leave a pauper.
“We, members of Lagos NBA, will continue to support you until there is a cogent reason for us not to do it.”
Speaking on the accolade that people from far and near pour on Governor Babatunde Fashola for his excellent performance in office, Uwaifo noted: “If the Lagos State House of Assembly had not been fast and swift by passing pro-people laws for the executive arm to implement, it would not have been possible for most Nigerians to regard Lagos Government as the best among the 36 states in the federation.”
Also speaking along the same vein, the branch Chairman, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, said: “The Lagos State House of Assembly, which you lead remains the most organised in the whole federation.
“While others were fighting and doing nothing to better the lots of Nigerians, members of this Assembly on the other hand have remained focused and responsive, which goes to show your excellent leadership traits as the leader of the Seventh Assembly.”
On the association’s 2012 Law Week, Taiwo said: “My Speaker, our Law Week, which you know is of great importance to us and the public is around the corner and we urge you to collaborate with us in order to have a well organised week this year.
“As you are aware, the NBA Lagos Branch is the largest and the most vibrant nationwide.
“We normally have the largest delegates to the Annual National Delegates Conference.
“We would therefore be delighted to have you physically present.”
Responding, Ikuforiji commended the NBA for pursuing excellence at all times.
He said: “This is my third term as Lagos State House of Assembly speaker.
“And all along, I am aware of the great importance attached to the NBA Law Week by both the Federal and State Governments.
“It is a delight for me to play host to such a vibrant association of yours.
“The NBA remains one of the few highly responsible associations that I have a lot of respect for.’’
He advised members of the association to remain steadfast in all they do.