From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
The Nigerian Bar Association Jos Branch has presented an Award of honour to Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State for his enormous contributions and distinctive support to the success of the branch, growth of the legal profession and development of its members.
The Executive Committee represented by the Chairman Barr. Leah Hassan Dagung, Secretary Barr. Mafeng Pam and immediate past Chairman Barr. Izam Aware and other members presented the award at his Abuja residence.
Barr. Dagung said as a branch, they have kept track of his tremendous support to the bar over the years particularly when he was Governor of Plateau State where he gave them an open door and demonstrated enormous benevolence.
She said Lalong gave the branch a brand new bus, sponsored their members consistently to International Bar Conferences, NBA National conferences and other trainings in and outside the county.
The NBA Chairman particularly thanked Senator Lalong for supporting the branch to move to a permanent office space before he left office as Governor as well as ensuring that they settle down.
Contributing, Immidiate past Chairman of NBA, Barr. Izam Aware said Lalong revolutionised the Nigerian Judiciary in Plateau State by building a modern complex that is one of the best in the country and a point of reference.
He said Lalong also facilitated the autonomy of the Judiciary as one of the first Governor’s to do so in Nigeria and also appointed the highest number of judges in the history of the State as well as also helped the Jos Branch to host the NBA NEC which put it on national limelight.
They also acknowledged his role as one time Assistant Secretary of the Branch as well as his support for the establishment of Bukuru and Shendam branches.
A former National Treasurer of the NBA Barr. Ladidi Anzeh-Bishop also thanked Senator Lalong for supporting her election as a National officer.
Responding, Senator Lalong thanked the NBA for their support and collaboration over the years which helped him to achieve a lot in various offices he held.
He said his desire had always been to enhance the growth of the legal profession which motivated him to embark on the construction of the the High Court Headquarters as a reference point.
According to him, the multi-door Court house was also established to facilitate ease of doing business while the Plateau Ministry of Lands and Survey was also upgraded through PLAGIS for effective land administration.
Apart from appointing the highest number of judges in the history of Plateau State, a Faculty of Law was also established at the Plateau State University Bokkos while the North Central Campus of the Nigerian Law School was slated for establishment in Plateau State due to his desire to promote the profession and give opportunities for the younger generation to join.
He encouraged the Bar to continue to tell the government the truth just as they did during his tenure which assisted him to deliver the dividends of democracy to the State.
He asked the he NBA not to keep quiet when there are cases of violation of the constitution, rule of law, or freedom of expression by the government particularly under the watch of its members as that will not only affect the profession, but threaten democracy.
