2ND VICE PRESIDENT OPENINING SPEECH AT 2026 NBA WESTERN ZONE IN BENIN, 13TH MAY TO 16TH MAY 2006
I welcome our distinguished guests, representative of the Chief Justice of Edo State ,learned silk presents, ,all delegates, the Vice Chairmen of NBA branches and members of the Human Rights Committees in the Western Zone comprising in no particular order Edo, Delta, Ekiti , Lagos , Ogun , Ondo, Osun and Oyo States. I also welcome the Chairmen of these branches who have sacrificed their time to lend their support to this summit.
I bring you greetings from my President , Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN )who will be remembered as the first NBA President to give huge backing to NBA Human Rights Committees by allocating addition 10% remittance to branches to support the activities of the Human Rights in their Branches.
There is no gainsaying in the fact that the Human Rights Committee is the engine room of NBA through its activities in promoting the rule of law, serving as the voice of the voiceless, providing pro-bono services just to ensure that the indigent have access to justice at no cost.
During this administration that is about to end, the Human Rights Committee headed by Vice Chairmen of branches made unprecedented impact in their communities like never before. Many inmates unjustly imprisoned regained their freedom and awareness were created on the fundamental human rights of the populace.
During this Administration of Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, a strong tie was formed between the Human Rights Institute at the NBA National and the Human Rights Committees of the Branches. The Vice Presidents left their comfort zone in Abuja to collaborate with the branches under their zones to ensure these branches become vibrant in promoting the rule of law.
Last year, the NBA Western Zone had a Summit in Ibadan . After that Summit, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which had for a long time been on paper became transformed.
It is also hoped that this Summit will also bring life to the purpose we are gathered here for which is :
ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, VICTIMS OF HUMANTRAFFICKING AND PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES .
The team of experts gathered here will no doubt enlighten us to see where we are and what we need to do to get to where we should be.
In case I do not have the opportunity to give a vote of thank. Thank you Edo State Chief Judge, the Edo State Attorney General, the Judiciary in Edo and other States who are present here=, all stakeholders, Vice Chairmen and Human Rights Committee members from NBA Branches and their Branch Chairmen who supported them; lawyers, amiable Chairman of Benin who carried the financial burden of this Summit with the support of his Exco and branch members, the Vice Chair of NBA Benin who fought to bring the hosting to Benin, my beautiful NBA 3rd Vice President and Publicity Secretary who are here to support me and of course, the people in my own engine room who helped with my dreams , Mrs Kemi Yesufu and Mr.Bayo Akinlade from the National Human Rights Institute .
Please enjoy the summit , get informed and be prepared to work.
God bless you all.
Bolatumi Animashaun
NBA 2nd Vice President (2024-2026 )
