Pilot Law

My greatest regret as YLF boss  – Jimoh

 

By Kayode Adeoti

The two years tenure of Olayinka Dauda Jimoh as chairman of the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF), Ilorin
branch, ended last weekend with an award.
Jimoh, while delivering his speech, lamented saying that despite his
overwhelming achievements, there was a moment he described as most
painful in office.
Jimoh posited that he wished he could bring back the hands of time to
ensure that his dream of debuting a book during his time come to
actualisation.
In an emotional laden voice, the former chairman of the Forum said,
despite his efforts and that of colleagues to bring to fulfilment the
long proposed book launch, the leadership of the current NBA suspended
it.
“My most painful moment as Chairman was when NBA under the current
leadership suspended our proposed book launch in honour of our
referred father, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. Painful it was though, he
lamented.”
Jimoh, however, reiterated the resolution of the Forum to remain focus
and not be deterred even in the face of challenges.
“The executives were not dettered but determined to have record of
achievements. Despite many challenges encountered, the outgoing
executives is very proud of the gains recorded in office within two
years, he added”
Giving reasons why NBA and the YLF are always at loggerheads, Jimoh
noted that larger number of NBA members do not pass through the YLF
because the Forum has not been created during their time.
According to him, YLF is not an alien body of the NBA but established by law.
Jimoh further urged the NBA to always be supportive of the YLF saying
the Forum is part of the legal body and it should so be accorded all
respect.
He said, “By way of appeal, I urge Chairmen of all branches of NBA to
support YLF under them for sustainable development of the legal
profession. Some NBA Chairmen have wrong perception of YLF as parallel
body. This is not true and very wrong.
“For the legal profession to develop as a whole, Bar leaders must
first develop YLF and young lawyers under them through Continuing
Legal Education and support. In many branches, NBA and YLF are at
loggerheads. This is so because larger percentage of our leaders did
not have YLF during their time as young lawyers, therefore they see
YLF as alien body as against partners in progress. I believe with
time, there will be a paradigm shift in favour of YLF.”
Recounting his achievements, Jimoh said his administration was able to
organise YLF seminar on Continuing Legal Education. Two days  retreat
which he described as first of its kind in Ilorin Bar.
Also mentioned as part of the achievements is “unprecedented full
sponsorship of five members to 2018 NBA YLF National Summit in Lagos
courtesy of Chief R. O Balogun. Provision of accommodation to some
members of our Forum at NBA Annual General Conference: Abuja 2018 and
Lagos 2019.
“Launching of YLF Monthly Brainstorm for Continuing Legal Education.
Provision of refreshments at the monthly general meeting of YLF by
Chief R. O Balogun. YLF Ilorin Dinner and Award night, among others.
Among those honoured at the ceremony is Kayode Adeoti of National
Pilot whom the chairman described as ‘our good friend.
Continuing, the ex-YLF Chairman said, “he made our list for his
balanced reportage of court proceedings and profiling of legal
practitioners (particularly Young Lawyers) in Kwara State through the
newspaper: National Pilot. He is our Journalist of the Year. No one
outside our profession has promoted YLF like Adeoti.”
On the list of awardees are the immediate past Chairman, NBA Ilorin,
Mallam Manzuma Issa, former Chairperson, FIDA Kwara State, Oluronke
Adeyemi, also, Chief R. O. Balogun, another former chairman of the
association.
Also decorated are the Head of Chambers (HOC), Bayo Ojo & Co, Taiye
Oniyide, Dr Folorunsho Saddam Hussein of the Faculty of Law,
University of Ilorin, past chairmen of the YLF, John Mayokun Dada and
Jamiu Saad Muhammad.
Brief history of YLF, Ilorin
The Forum was established in 2015 with John Mayokun Dada, the
incumbent secretary of the NBA, Ilorin as pioneer leader. Dada, who
was in office for just three months, conducted peaceful election that
produced Jamiu Saad Muhammad.
Muhammad completed his two years tenure in 2017. Afterwards, in a
rancour free poll, the immediate past chairman of the Forum, Jimoh,
came on board and steered the ship of YLF for the next two years.
Both Dada and Muhammad’s administrations were regarded by members of
the YLF as foundation laying regimes that put the Forum on the path of
progress.
on December 8, 2019, Jimoh’s tenure came to an end and handed baton of
leadership to Mumini Alawaye, who emerged victorious in a poll
conducted by A. T Ahmed-led Electoral Committee.

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