Words fail me in expressing my sincere gratitude to one and all, I am truly humbled writing this note, today the 17th day of July, 2022.
The past few months have been most tasking. I have had to interface with members of our august Association from over 100 branches all over the country. It was quite herculean but a fulfilling experience which I still do cherish.
The elections have since been concluded with winners emerging. Firstly, I congratulate my leader and boss, the President of the NBA, Mr Olumide Akpata and all the National officers for setting the atmosphere for a free and fair election.
Also, I wish to appreciate the Chairman and members of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) for a very successful and clean process. We could not have asked for a better set of colleagues with top-notch Integrity. Thank you.
I wish to congratulate all the winners of yesterday’s elections, starting with Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, SAN (the president elect). It has been a privilege and worthwhile working closely with you at the Welfare Committee. It would have been a dream come true to work with you in the National Executive Council. Congratulations sir.
I also extend my felicitations to Linda Rose Bala (1st Vice President Elect), Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka (2nd Vice President Elect), Justina E. A. Asagba (3rd Vice President Elect), Adesina Adegbite (General Secretary Elect), Daniel Kip (Assistant General Secretary Elect), Caroline Anze-Bishop (Treasurer Elect), Chinyere Obasi (Welfare Secretary Elect), Akorede Habeeb Lawal (Publicity Secretary Elect), Charles Ajiboye (Assistant Publicity Secretary Elect), and all the elected Representatives of the General Council of the Bar. May your tenure be fruitful and successful.
I thank my co-contestant, the Publicity Secretary Elect, Mr Akorede Habeeb Lawal, the contest brought out the best in us. Indeed the beauty of an election is in the contest. There is always a winner even in a monkey’s beauty contest. I congratulate you most profusely, and like I noted in my personal message to you, I am of the belief that with your prowess and ingenuity, the core tenets of my hopes for the NBA publicity wing would still be realised. Congratulations my dear brother.
I thank the entire 15,365 members of our dear Association who believed in my candidacy and voted for me. Your show of love is greatly appreciated and it is worth celebrating. I cannot thank you enough.
I also thank those who did not vote for me at this time for sundry reasons, I love you and I wish we can forge a better relationship going forward.
To my home Branch, the Lion Bar (Benin Branch), I thank my chairman, the indefatigable Pius Oiwoh for your love and support. I also thank my executive and members of the great Lion Bar. You have been my backbone and I greatly appreciate you.
Now to a group of persons who are so dear to my heart – the Friends of Ogaga. You guys were so wonderful. You stood firm all through defying all the challenges and difficulties thrown at you. Some of you even received personal bushwhacks because of your stance. When I think of you guys, I am reminded of the biblical provision in Proverbs 18:24: _”A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: *and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.*”_ Only God can reward you. You guys are the real champions.
I also wish to thank all my friends and supporters who contributed in one way or the other in support of my candidacy. The Shallom family and many others are well appreciated.
Permit me to also appreciate my beloved wife and children for putting up with my absence these past few months. I promise to be a better husband and father. I love you forever.
Distinguished members of the NBA, in the course of my campaigns, I may have sent unsolicited messages, stepped on toes wittingly or unwittingly in my attempt to sell and galvanize the positive IMAGE agenda to you. Please forgive my indiscretion.
Finally, I urge all members of our august Association to come together and support the incoming administration to build the NBA. Together, we are stronger.
Thank you.
Regards,
OGAGA EMOGHWANRE
