NBA Under Wole Olanipekun, SAN Was Progressive, Practical, Pragmatic, And Proactive Not Only On Matters Affecting The Profession, But Also On Matters Affecting The Nation — Dele Adesina, SAN

Dele Adesina, SAN, Past General-Secretary Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Life Member, Distinguished Body of Benchers said NBA Under Wole Olanipekun, SAN was progressive, practical, pragmatic, and proactive not only on matters affecting the profession, but also on matters affecting the nation.

The learned silk said it in his “Goodwill Message To The Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch in the Occasion of the Public Presentation of the Book Titled “Contemporary Issues in Nigerian Law, Security and Good Governance: Essays un Honour if Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR” Taking Place in Thursday, March 19th, 2020″

He said “Let me congratulate the Chairman, Executive and members of this great Branch for the privilege and honour of presenting this goodwill message.

“Much more importantly, I thank you for the publication of the book titled “CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN NIGERIAN LAW, SECURITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: ESSAYS IN HONOUR OF CHIEF WOLE OLANIPEKUN SAN, OFR”.

Adesina SAN said “The presentation of today, I say with all sense of responsibility, is a well-deserved honour for Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR.”

According to the learned silk, “In the practice of the Profession, some refer to him as a legal technician. Others simply refer to him as an erudite and forensic advocate. Apart from the high feat he has recorded as a private legal practitioner which I submit rightly entitles him to this honour, he is also the 6th Chairman of Ilorin Bar and therefore Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR is closely connected with the Branch. I believe I would be correct in saying that the foundation of the super-structure that he is in the Legal Profession today was cast in this jurisdiction.”

Moving further, Adesina, SAN said “Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR was also the 20th President of Nigerian Bar Association. As the General-Secretary of the Bar in that Administration, I am proud to say that it was a very progressive and challenging administration in the annals of governance of the Nigerian Bar Association. The Executive under him was very practical, pragmatic and proactive. Not only on matters affecting the Profession but, also on issues affecting the Nation. The robustness of the Executive brought out the fullness of individual members. Contributions were solid and we disagreed to agree on matters of policies and programmes. Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN OFR was a good leader of men. I have always believed that the best honour you can bestow on anyone is to celebrate him in his lifetime, just as you are doing today.”

On the Nigerian Bar Association elections which comes up July this year, he said “It is my hope and prayer that we will elect Leaders that will be motivated by service to our Association, our Profession and the Nation itself. Leaders that will make time count not those that will count time. Many people believe that the Nigerian Bar Association has the capacity to reconstruct the Nation, but there is no doubt, the Association must first of all reconstruct itself and this is a huge task. To achieve this will require a leader with relevant capacity, competence and courage. Education is good. Skill is also good but this cannot equal experience. Experience is that only commodity you cannot buy in the market place and this must be taken into consideration in playing our role at the next election of our great Association.”

“Once again congratulations on this successful outing and God bless you.