2017 Unilorin Call to the Bar Ceremony: A Detailed Report.

28/05/2017

23:18

The call to bar initiation started with the convening of the Student Union Judicial Council inductees by 2:00pm, where the President of the Bar, Mr I.O Apalando, started by calling the names of inductees.

There was the introduction of guests who graced the ceremony by the compere, Abdul-Aziz Muhammed Bashir, who also introduced Judges from different faculties and the Press. He said in his own words that "today is going to be a special day because people are not just being called to the bar but to the Inner bar." He said, for the past 365 days, it has just been Oke Ridwan as the only Senior Advocate of the Union but today more people will be joining in. He gave a quote from someone which says, "the houses of lawyers are roofed with the skins of litigants." Justices and the Registrar of the Student Union Judicial Council were also present.

The august event started with an opening prayer by the Secretary of the Bar, then the singing of the University of Ilorin anthem. Then the introduction of dignitaries of the likes of Mr Habeeb Whyte Ibidapo Esq., Mr Kazeem Ilias Abiodun Esq., Mr Adam  Ndakudu Esq., the Chief Justice of the SU Judicial Council— Kolo-Mamah Joanna, the President of the Bar—Ishaq Obashola Apalando, the SU President Shobowale Lukman Olawale, the Dean of the Faculty of Law duly represented by Dr. Morgan, the SU Senate President—Sen. Imam Abdulquadri, among other Union officials and faculty presidents.

In her welcome address, the Chief Justice of the SU Judicial Council, said, "it is not automatic that everyone who starts a race gets to the finish line." She admonished the inductees by saying that it is not about being called to the bar but making your membership count.

The opening remark was delivered by the President of the Bar where he said that the aim of the Union is to simulate what goes on in the conventional legal practice in the law school. He said there were three (3) pre-call classes for the inductees on criminal litigation, civil litigation, and on Law of evidence, ethics and court mannerisms. They had both the electrical and manual registration processes which the inductees went through and some were disqualified along the line. He ended by saying that the essence of all this is that the Bar is never resting and will never rest.

There was a citation of the guest lecturer by Kwajafa Soyeya, after which, the lecture proper by Mr Habeeb Whyte, commenced. The lecture was on "Little Beginnings" where he said he would be speaking from the bar. He said in his words that, "any big thing in life must start from a particular place." He said, "ask yourselves if you die today what would you be remembered for?" He said he happened to be the first President of the Bar. He gave a story on the "Mango tree." 

According to him, when the mango is green or unripe no one wants it. At that point in life they are not attractive to anyone. That is when no one believes in you and your own believe in yourself and persistency is what is needed.  Now, when the mango is ripe, people climb on themselves just to pluck the ripe mangoes. At this time, they are growing, success is setting in and everybody wants to be friends with them. So they should be careful. He said,  "your dreams will bring you towards persons that you will make it in life with."

At this juncture, the initiation proper of new wigs into the Bar was facilitated by the President of the Bar and the Chief Justice, where 49 inductees were officially called to the Bar. There were also remarks from Mr Kazeem Ilias Abiodun Esq. where he gave a quote from his favourite actor, Harvey Specter, in the movie "Suits" which says that for an advocate, "don't raise your voice, improve on your arguments."  He admonished the inductees to always accept challenges, exchange ideas and have good conversations with people. He submitted at the end of his remark that being in the Student Union Bar is not just a distraction as some persons might say but a necessary distraction.

Conferment of the prestigious title of "Senior Advocate of the Union" was conducted by the Attorney General and the Chief Justice on four persons—Ishaq Apalando, Omotunde John, Olasupo H. Morakinyo, Jimoh Omotayo—who will be joining the Inner Bar.  There werremarks from Mr Adam Ndakudu Esq. where he urged the inductees to be focused (using himself as an example), always have a goal and set their minds towards achieving that goal.

Furthermore, there were a review of court rules by Justice Hibatullahi Khanzullahi, and the unveiling of Court Rules 2017 by Dr. Morgan representing the Dean of the Faculty of Law. He said he was asked by the Dean to congratulate everyone. He then asked the students in Law to be serious and ended by saying that "if you will make it, you will make it."

There were goodwill messages. First by the SU President, where he said, "...of course I'm not a law student but I'm thankful to God for making this event successful." He also said that "Unionism is not limited to the executives alone but to everyone." The next remark was made by the Sub Dean, Student Affairs Unit who said that " When any student is in danger, the Student Union is in danger." He said that this is the only Union with a vibrant judiciary and that those being called to the bar should be role models. The Senate President, Student Union followed suit. He said that they as members of the Senate Union will try as much as possible to work with the other arms of the Union.

The presentation of awards and certificate was anchored by the Chief Justice and the Secretary of the Bar. Certificates of excellence for outstanding performances at the Call to Bar exams were presented to Adeniji Bibiana Adenike and to Olaoba Oluwamayowa by the Student Union Judicial Council in conjunction with the Student Union Bar Association. An award was presented to Mr Kazeem Ilias Esq. for his contributions so far, to Mr Adam Ndakudu Esq., and also to Mr Habeeb Whyte Esq., who dedicated the award to his lovely wife present at the event. He informed the audience about how special the award is to him because he tied the knot with his lovely wife on the 20th of May, 2017.

The vote of thanks was given by the Registrar of the SU Judicial Council. The closing prayer and benediction by the Bailiff, Student Union and the occasion ended with the prestigious University of Ilorin anthem.

Finally, everyone moved outside for the taking of pictures of the inductees, the dignitaries present and friends. With this, the Call to Bar Initiation and Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of The Union 2017, which held on the 27th of May 2017 at the Moot Court, University of Ilorin came to a close.

Eze Glory Chikadibia
UCJ, UNILORIN.