As Nigeria marks Democracy Day today, the NBA Abuja Branch wishes to felicitate with Nigerians and the Federal Government on the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria for an uninterrupted period of 21 years.

This democratic journey has been characterized with array of challenges ranging from security, human rights violations by both state and non-state actors, economic and human capital development. Today serves as another opportunity for our dear country to take another trajectory towards the path of development.

As citizens, Nigerians have a duty to hold those in government to account for their stewardship, though in recent times, this has led to the unlawful arrest and incarceration of journalists and other individuals by mostly state governors. It is rather unfortunate that those who are benefiting most from democracy are the ones threatening its existence by adopting employing undemocratic tools in the course of governance. Government must function for the good of the governed as contemplated by the Constitution which represents the terms of the social contract between the government and the governed.

Pursuant to its motto, pursuing the rule law, the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) is successfully executing the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme whereby lawyers are assigned to various Divisional Police Stations to represent suspects who do not have legal representations pro bono. This could not have been successful without the forthright and absolute support of the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Bala Chiroma and his team of officers. In the coming years, the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) will continue to engage the relevant institutions of government at all levels with the view to bolstering the adherence to principles of human rights which form the fulcrum of democracy.

On the side of the citizens, we must endeavour to be law abiding. The rising cases or reported case of rape of children and other forms sexual violence against women have been worrisome. The destructive effects of these dastardly acts are beyond measure. While we call on government and its relevant agencies to take a proactive action in this regard, it is imperative for the general public to come together and fight this menace. People must refrain from stigmatizing rape victims or covering up rape cases. Government also needs to put up mechanisms for victims of rape to access free medical examination and treatment.

On this auspicious day, I wish congratulate all members of the Nigerian Bar Association Abuja branch for standing as critical actors in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria for these years. I wish to use this opportunity to call for all members to join hands with the leadership of the Bar branch to continue to formulate programs and initiatives that are beneficial to members and the general public.

Happy Democracy Day

Bulus Y. Atsen, Chairman NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar)

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