The new President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to show more commitment to the protection of life and property of Nigerians.

He said Nigerians are so terrorised and what is left is the voice of legal profession to speak against the terror in.

In his speech during the inauguration ceremony held at the Eko Hotel and Suits Lagos, the 31st NBA president urged the Federal Government to show commitment to the protection of life and property.

He also admonished members of the legal profession to provide leadership to the country.

He made the appeal against the background of the spate of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and killings challenging the country.

According to him, Nigerian state is passing through a perilous time. “There is the insecurity challenge and the situation appears so overwhelming. Many Nigerians live below the poverty line.

“There has been no time that Nigerians have looked towards the bar than now. Nigerians have been so terrorised, pauperised and what is left of this country is the voice of the legal profession. This voice must speak against the terror in the land and this is the charge that my administration will spare no one,” he said.

Maikyau said Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the manifestation of members the bar to salvage the nation.

The immediate past president, Olumide Akpata, in his handover address, reiterated that the NBA would continue to protect the cause of the society and make Nigeria a better place through its section, Nigerian Bar Association Special Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) under the leadership of Dr. Monday Ubani.

Akpata noted that many things are holding the country back as a nation. He stressed that the NBA is the only association that is reflective of the country.

“NBA need to show this country how things should be done and it also need to rise above selfish interest. We must show our leaders how things should be run in the country.

“In NBA, we exist for our members but we must also speak for the lesser members of the society.”

Akpata also urged the association to rise in defence of the judiciary. He said where judges are not able to speak for themselves because of the position they occupy, the NBA should be prepared to stand up for them.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by Justice S. Saidu, said she looks forward to a healthy working relationship between the court and the bar.

She advised the new President of the NBA, Maikyau to use his office to restore the good image of the judiciary and the country.

Other dignitaries present were judges of appellate courts, SANs, EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, among others.