The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has called on Yoruba lawyers in the country to remain united and build a common alliance.
He made the call while speaking at the Maiden National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’odua, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the theme “The Legal Profession In Nigeria: A Rebirth.”
The governor, who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Hon Segun Ogunwuyi, said it became imperative for lawyers of Yoruba extraction to work together to achieve common goals while urging them to be dynamic in handling critical issues to achieve set goals.
The governor said, “Well, when there is unity, you can achieve a lot, and, generally, politics is about collective interest.
“As lawyers of Yoruba extraction, there is a need to come together and form an alliance so that, in the equation of Nigeria, they can get what belongs to them or what is due to the Yoruba race and the legal profession. Basically, that is my advice.
“So, work together to forge an alliance and unite.”
On his part, the Governor of Ondo State, who was represented by the Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Princess Catherine Oladunni, urged Yoruba lawyers to rise to the challenges of their chosen careers.
He stressed the need for legal practitioners to maintain the ethics of the profession and uphold the rule of law.
Akeredolu called on senior lawyers to guide young lawyers in the legal profession appropriately so that they can attain greater heights.
The Chairman of the group, Isiaka Olagunju, SAN, maintained that concerted efforts must be made by the Yoruba tribe for the race to remain relevant at the forefront of national discourse.
While thanking the governors for their support, Olagunju, promised that the association will continue to lead young Yoruba lawyers on the right path and show them what the association stands for in a bid to further achieve the vision, mission and aspirations of the association.
He said, “Today is an important day for us as a milestone in re-uniting our bond and strengthening the core aims of the establishment of the association by our founding fathers.
“It promotes an invaluable platform for fostering the development of lawyers and for promoting socio-economic, cultural, and legal issues affecting its members.
“As we are all aware, we have on record to have produced several juggernauts in the legal profession and the next generation needs to run with the same vision and passion.
“The legal profession today is in dire need of a rebirth, hence, the theme of this conference.
“We need to re-create and re-claim the pride of our profession that will endear the young generation to have a renewed hope.
In her remarks, the First Female Lawyer in Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke, appealed to the leadership of the association to come up with a policy that will help facilitate the integration of young Yoruba lawyers.
She also stressed the need for lawyers to learn the Yoruba language and protect it at all times, adding that Yoruba people should always showcase Yoruba culture
The association” Egba Amofin” represents a platform for lawyers of Yoruba extraction, to among other objectives, find expression in their profession, forge alliances for mutual professional interests and harness common values for the good of the profession at large, the Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Oluseun Abimbola, SAN, said.