*Back And Forths Trail Nomination Of Newly Elected NBA President Maikyau, Amidst Exclusion Of Usoro, Akpata, Others
*Lawyers Warn Against Politicisation Of List
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Earlier today, the Federal Government through the Ministers of Special Duties announced and released the details of recipients for the National Awards scheduled to take place on Tuesday, October 11, at the International Conference Center, Abuja.
The honours which are conferred on distinguished Nigerians who have contributed exceptionally to National development, peace and progress is usually rated as one of the hallmarks of one’s contribution to nation building.
In this published list, some lawyers have duly been shortlisted for the honours. However, this list has not gone without brewing another controversy amongst lawyers as several issues and perspectives have been brought to fore concerning the shortlisted lawyers.
In the ongoing conversation being followed by TheNigeriaLawyer, a Former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN, in a congratulatory post to the nominees on Facebook hinted on the conspicuous absence of any female lawyer amongst those shortlisted for the national honours.
He wrote, NATIONAL HONOURS 2022
CONGRATULATIONS to our LAWYERS on the LIST
1. Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN
2. Oluwarotimi Akerodolu, SAN
3. Raji Fashola, SAN
4. Abubakar Malami, SAN
5. OCJ Okocha, SAN
6. Prof Itse Sagay, SAN
7. Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN
8. Mike Mamman Osuman, SAN
9. Chief Dr Mike Ozekhome, SAN
10. Prof Fabian Ajogwu, SAN
11. Kehinde Aina
12. Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN
13. Prof MAxwell Gidado, SAN
14. Tony Ojukwu, SAN
15. Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN
16. Y. C. Maikyau, SAN
17. Senator Bamidele Opeyemi
18. Senator Ita Enang
19. Dr Allen Onyema
20. Late Prof Folarin Shyllon
I didn’t see any female lawyer’s name!
Teacher.”
In similar development, some lawyers have wondered the rationale behind honouring the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN, who assumed office barely two months ago and was yet to settle in office, while Former Presidents with illustrious contributions such as Paul Usoro SAN, and Olumide Akpata, were not shortlisted.
Some lawyers have however cautioned against the politicisation of the National Honours list, describing such as petty.
According to them, nominations for the awards are made by State governments, NGOs and other agencies subject to approval by the Federal government and there was no need to raise dust about the issue.
TheNigeriaLawyer understands that States , bodies, agencies, NGOs usually nominate persons for awards, but final approval lies with the Federal Government.
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