The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Y.C Maikyau,SAN,OON has paid tribute to E. Y. Kurah, SAN on his death.
According to Maikyau, Mr Kurah was a consummate Bar man, a revered and illustrious member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barnawa Branch. He had served as Chairman of NBA Kaduna Branch from 2005 – 2007. At the time of his transition, he was the Chairman of the NBA Electoral Reform Committee, set up by the National Executive Council (NEC) to propose reforms to the NBA electoral process, a task he carried out with so much dedication, dexterity, and detailed attention.
Read Full Statement Below;
“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [Psalm of Life]
I have many personal notes to write about E. Y. Kurah, SAN because I knew and interacted with him for a very long time, and since his transition, the many wonderful things I have heard and read about him corroborates everything I knew and observed about him. In the period he spent on this side of eternity, he left such indelible footprints in the sands of time.
Mr Kurah was a consummate Bar man, a revered and illustrious member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barnawa Branch. He had served as Chairman of NBA Kaduna Branch from 2005 – 2007. At the time of his transition, he was the Chairman of the NBA Electoral Reform Committee, set up by the National Executive Council (NEC) to propose reforms to the NBA electoral process, a task he carried out with so much dedication, dexterity, and detailed attention. Everyone who knew him attests to the fact that he was a good man; honest, forthright, bold, and courageous. He was a trusted ally and a loyal friend. A straight talker, who never prevaricated or minced words, but always spoke the truth respectfully and dispassionately irrespective of whose ox is gored.
As counsel, EY conducted himself in the finest traditions of the Bar. He practiced the profession with integrity, honour and the highest standard of ethics and professional conduct.
At a time when the Bar suffers from the dearth of these qualities, his passing is a great loss to the profession; death has robbed us of the benefits of this exemplary professional life. And so, I exclaim like Mark Anthony, here was EY, when comes such another? The way to immortalise Mr Kurah is to commit to respect for the highest ethical standards and professional conduct.
For me personally, EY left at the threshold of our budding intimate professional relationship. I remember how visibly delighted he was seeing me walk into his hospital room about a fortnight ago, he stood up from the bed full of smiles, and hugged me. His sudden and shocking passing is yet another reminder of the fleetingness of life, and the certainty of its end.
Therefore, as we mourn his departure, I enjoin us to reflect on our own lives, our fading moments, and the coming day of reckoning. Let us see to it that we walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, making the most use of time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5: 15 – 16). We must remain conscious of the transient nature of life and daily rely on God to “… teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
I commiserate with the entire Kurah family, particularly his wife and children, on this very painful loss. I also extend my condolences to the lawyers and staff of Elisha Kurah & Co., and the Barnawa Branch of the NBA. EY’s departure is our collective loss. My prayer is that God, whom he served with his intellect, resources and entire being, will comfort the hearts of all members of his family, his colleagues, and friends. May the peace of God which is beyond human understanding, protect our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Mr Elisha Yakubu Kurah is not dead, he merely slept – he lives on! Continue to rest in peace, my dear learned friend and big brother whom we fondly called “Maigida”. We shall meet at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN
PRESIDENT