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CJN, Mike Ozokhome, Gen IBM Ibrahim RTD, Dan-Abia, Chris Uche, Other Senior Lawyers Mark 40 Years Call To Bar
By Ebriku John Friday
It was parade of stars as the law school class of 1981 literally set the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja on fire on Saturday 27th November 2021 as they celebrated 40 years of their call to the Nigerian Bar.
Notable personalities in attendance include, The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Gen IBM Ibrahim (rtd), Chief Mike Ozokhome, SAN, former Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Bassey Dan-Abia, Chief Chris Uche, SAN and other notable justices on the Supreme Court bench, justices of the Appeal Court, judges and other senior lawyers.
Other justices of the Supreme Court in the class present at the event are, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola JSC, Hon Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun JSC, Hon Justice Sidi Bage JSC, Now Emir of Lafia, Hon Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji JSC, Hon Justice Lawal M. Garba and Hon Justice Adamu Jauro JSC.
Other notable personalities of the class also present are, the Santuraki Baba Zazzau, Alhaj SB Yakubu, Chief Ifeanyi Iboko, and International Mediator Prof CJ Amasike lead the Academics.
The epoch making event provided opportunity for the senior lawyers to share testimonies of their success stories in the Bench, Bar, Corporate field, Academics, Politics and other human endeavours.
In the parade which was filled with nostalgia, all members of the class were given few minutes to summarise their sojourn in the last 40 years. Truly, in all aspects of Law, ‘members of ‘The Greatest Set’ (as the I981 Set call themselves) shone brilliantly like Stars which they truly are on their merits.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the class of 1981 Law School Set, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN,said he can say boldly that there’s no other Law School Set in this generation that can match the feat of I981 by producing 7 (seven) Supreme Court Justices including The Chief Justice of Nigeria all serving at the same time.
He expressed his profound appreciation to The Almighty God for preserving them after 40 years in rugged field of diverse legal practice.
He said apart from the unassailable record at the Supreme Court, The Class of 1981, which he proudly flaunts as the greatest, has produced Eminent Jurists in all the superior Courts of Record both at The Federal and State levels including 9 State Chief Judges, numerous Senior Advocates of Nigeria,Top Academics and Government functionaries as well as Captain of Industries.
He informed his colleagues that it’s was important for him to use the occasion to acknowledge the role many senior lawyers in the class played in the formation of the class union after so many years of inactivity.
He expressed his deep appreciation to many of them who reached out to him through phone calls and other means of communication. However according to the human rights activist cum Constitutional Lawyer, the turning point that led to this epoch making event was his unplanned meeting with two class mates in the Protocol Room at Murtala Muhammed Airport Ikeja sometime in 2019.
These two proud 1981 Setters convened an Emergency/Extra-Ordinary meeting and gave him a marching order to drive the 1981 union which has culminated in what was being showcased today. The two classmates are the beautiful amazon, Hon Justice Remi Oguntoyinbo of The Federal High Court, Abeokuta and Chief Dan Abia, The Former Attorney-General of Akwa Ibom State and Presently representing my zone, The South South in The Law Reform Commission. He asked the class led by the CJN to join him in applauding the two worthy 1981 setters.
Sadly, it wasn’t only laughter and clinging of champagne classes, Chief Ozekhome SAN, supported by Chief Chris Uche SAN ,the chairman of the planning Committee and other members of the planning Committee read out the names of deceased members of 1981 setters who have passed away in the last 40 years numbering 92 names. A sober moment was observed in memory of the departed.
The CJN, Hon Justice Tanko, in his remarks expressed his profound appreciations to the initiators, member of planning committee and all class members and prayed for sound health and God’s protection every member of the class.
Chief Uche had earlier said in a chat with judiciary correspondents that the anniversary is to bring together all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 with a view to appreciate God in their individual lives and to forge a common front on how to strengthen the practice of the legal profession, improvement of the justice delivery system and contribute more meaningfully to the national development.
He added that there was so much members of the 1981 set can do as a group to influence policy and decision making at the highest levels in the legal profession for improvement and reforms in the justice delivery system, the development of legal education and indeed for the peace and stability of this great country as they consolidate their coming together as front-line stakeholders for the good of the present and future generations.
“Forty years’ post-call is indeed and unarguably a huge, glorious and uncommon milestone, worthy of celebration and thanksgiving. When we look back, 40 years ago in the lives of each and everyone of us, we certainly have so much to be grateful for.
“As a class, we have also done exceedingly well, and indeed, have become the most blessed, accomplished and successful Set in contemporary history in the legal profession in this country as well as in many sectors of the economy and branches of life.”
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NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
