COURTESIES

In the name of God Almighty, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Today is a new dawn in the history of our Bar when brothers and sisters exhibited our democratic credentials by putting ourselves forward before our esteemed members to serve the Bar in various capacities as executive members.

Through out the electioneering campaigns, we never recorded any incidence of rancour be it among the contestants or the esteemed voters. This feat was made possible because of atmosphere of tranquility we enjoy among ourselves.

The leaders of our Bar, ladies and gentlemen, the campaigns have come and gone, elections were contested and results declared. Interestingly, no winner, no vanquished was announced but our Bar emerged victorious.

To my brother, Olasunkanmi Timothy Olorunnisola, Esq, you are a fine democrat, a friend, goal-getter and a courageous Bar man who has the utmost love of the Bar at heart, hence, the reason you offered yourself to the service of the Bar. The Bar is neither yours nor mine but ours. Please join hands with me to continue what you know how to do best, moving the Bar forward. To other contestants who didn't make it this side, the bar needs your service at this time more than any other time in the past. Your participation in the electoral processes devoid of bitterness and rancour is a testimony to your ruggedness and exhition of your capacity to lead the Bar in future. You are the real heroes.Raise up your heads and smile you are all champions.

To my team, let us remember that no one came to drag us to from our comfort zones to join the contest which led to this gathering, but we we volunteered ourselves to serve and we were so elected not because we are the best but we were chosen because we were only preferred. Therefore, it will be a disservice to the Bar if we abscond from performing our duties and responsibilities and history will definitely count it against us. Let's therefore buckle up our belt and tight our skirts as the case may be to deliver on our collective mandates.

Today, a new journey has just began and we can navigate this journey of hope, progress and development together and arrive at the finishing line fulfilled as a group of people. The bar under my watch, will pursue "collectivism and inclusivisim" agenda with a view to foster unity of purpose desires by everyone. Every member will occupy that glorious, important and enviable position he or she deserves without under estimate anyone or overlook anyone. We shall operate open door policy where every member can freely have our ears and have robust in put on the best way to achieve result for our collective purposes.

You will agree with me that the pride of an African parent is to witness the progress and success of his or her wards. Here standing before you this afternoon, is your son, leading your other children. Just the way you have rallied support tendered care for us when we were those little kids, please double your support for us especially now that we have become adult children occupying leadership position of the most noblest group of men and women on earth.

Distinguished leaders and members of our branch, You have done so much for this Association over the years and you have continued year in year out to repeat the same efforts which includes but not limited to paying your practising fee and branch due every year as professionals among others as when due without commisurate returns on your efforts or investments, to whom much is given much is expected, bar under my watch will do our little to say a little thank you to appreciate your efforts by ensuring, henceforth, every member who pay his or her practising fees: national and local as when due shall be entitled to a free diary as against prevalent tradition attaching same to payment of annual Bar dinner.

We shall equally build the knowledge capacity of our members with a view to boost our members' professional capacity by providing members the opportunity to attend continued legal education which include law retreat of which many younger generations have never witnessed without paying a dime but payment of your practising fees: national an local as when due.

To my generation of younger souls, the only sure bet way to continue to enjoy the company of our leaders and elders in our midst is to ensure discipline and accord them their due respect. My interactions with them over the years has revealed to me that what the elders require from is nothing but our self discipline and respect whether in or outside court rooms, meetings or occasions. I don't think these little things are too much to accord them, as one day, we will also grow up and appreciate their yearnings now. May we witness the days in peace.

I must not end my speech without appreciating our leaders; body of Senior Advocates of our branch, body of past chairmen, the elders and stakeholders: FIDA, CLASFON, YLF and MULAN for their unflinching leadership role they have been playing to ensure our unity and togetherness over the years. We urge urge to continue in this direction with a view rally supports for this administration in our quest to pilot the affairs of the Bar to a greater heights. Thank you for your rapt attention. God bless you all.