NBA elects Wali as new President

Posted by admin Latest Politics, Nigerian Bar Assoc (NBA) Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Okey-Wali

July 18, 2012 by Ihuoma Chiedozie, Abuja

Okey Wali
| credits: dailyindependentnig.com

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Okey Wali, was on Tuesday elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

His election coincided with the naming of the new NBA secretariat in Abuja after Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, a former President of the body.

Port Harcourt-based Wali garnered 688 votes to defeat his challengers – Mr. Emeka Ngige and Mr. Blessing Ukiri.

Ngige was the runner-up with 449 votes, while Ukiri got only two votes.

Mr. Emeka Obiegolu was re-elected as General Secretary of the association, scoring 527 votes to defeat his opponents, O. O. Olowokere and E. A. Haruna, who got 302 and 292 votes, respectively.

Other officers elected at the election are O. J. Irabor, 1st Vice President, Francis Ekwere, 3rd Vice President, Joyce Oduah, Treasurer, Afam Obi, Publicity Secretary, Kelvin Ezelonu, Welfare Officer, and U. F. O. Nnaemeka, Assistant Secretary.

Akeredolu served as the NBA President between 2008 and 2010, and is the Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidate for the October 20 Ondo State governorship election.

Outgoing NBA President, Joseph Daudu, named the secretariat after Akeredolu while inaugurating the building on Tuesday.

Daudu said Akeredolu was honoured as a result of his meritorious service to the bar.

He said, “Rather than going into any argument, honour must be given to whom it is due to.

“The presidency has decided that things should be properly documented and named after the person that made it achievable.”

Speaking at the event, Akeredolu said the honour came to him as “a surprise”.

He said he did not lobby for the honour.

Akeredolu said, “I am accepting this on behalf of all the members of the executive that we did it together.

“I feel humble, it is a great honour. I’m overwhelmed. I never thought of the award.”

The ex-NBA boss said he entered the governorship race to provide selfless service to the people.

The event was witnessed by dignitaries including a former NBA President, Chief O. C. J Okocha, Mr. Femi Falana, Austine Alegeh, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Akin Olujinmi, and Layi Babatunde.

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