WELCOME TO NIGERIA BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA), PORT HARCOURT BRANCH.

Today, a novelty football match was played between the NBA PH vs ALL STARS FC, PH in honour of the Rt Hon Deputy Speaker RSHA, Rt Hon Ehie Edison Esq to officially welcome him to the Port Harcourt Bar.

The match took place at the Rivers State Civic Centre, Sharks Stadium, Ph. ended 2-3 in favour of the All STARS FC, PH.

Immediately after the Novelty football match, the NBA P-H Branch hosted the deputy speaker and entourage at the NBA House PH to a surprise reception party with members of the NBA PH and the ALL-STARS FC fully present.

Hon Barr. Solomon Sokolo, member representing Abual/ Odual Constituency and the Committee Chairman on Judiciary who also doubles as the chairman of the NBA PH sports committee officially welcomed the honourable deputy speaker and his other colleagues for making out time to honour the invitation on a very short notice.

While speaking he said, " This event is the first of its kind to hold anywhere in the country where the NBA welcomes one of her own in such an exclusive manner" and they are blessed to have such a benevolent man of the person of the deputy speaker as one of them today in port Harcourt BAR.

Furthermore, the Hon member/ committee chairman also described the Hon deputy speaker as a "Dangerous giver" a man who doesn't speak from both sides of his mouth, if he makes you a promise, go and sleep he will do even more than expected that is who he is, a transparent leader, friend and colleague.

Also speaking at the event was Hon. (Barr) Dumle Maol, a member representing Gokana constituency in the RSHA and also the Chairman House Committee on Environment, wholeheartedly appreciated the Hon deputy speaker for the constant support he has shown him ever since their part crossed, in his words he said "DS I respect you cause what you are today is what kept most of us where we are today at the RSHA may God continue to bless you for all you do for us".

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) PH Branch, who was unavoidably absent at the event was represented by Barr. Chile Christian Woke, Social Secretary NBA PH, while speaking also welcomed th deputy speaker to the NBA and congratulated him for not just passing the BAR finals but also coming out the best.

The deputy speaker while speaking appreciated Hon (Barr) Sokolo Solomon, his colleagues and everyone who made the event a success, he thanked His Excellency Chief Barr E.N Wike in his words " I must thank specially my principal who is the Governor of Rivers State Chief Barr E.N Wike for allowing me to be where I am today by extension all of us who are politicians serving in Rivers State Government and I thanked we have a principal who is also a lawyer, is a true leader and defender of democracy and a great believer and supporter of the legal profession.

"A man who has always done everything within his power to make sure the judiciary in Rivers state works and live in a better environment we can't stop thanking God for giving us such a compassionate leader".

Still speaking the deputy speaker expressed great joy over the warm reception from the NBA PH Branch and the NBA football committee under the chairmanship of Hon (Barr) Solomon Sokolo, he expressed great joy and appreciation for honouring him and his colleagues as parliamentarians who have joined this noble and most prestigious profession in the world.

"And of course we will all agree even though some of us here are not lawyers that this is the most outstanding profession in Nigeria and by extension all over the world"

Lastly, the deputy speaker gave all the glory to God for the success of his BAR finals after many years of graduating from the University, he still has the privilege of going to Nigeria Law School (NLS) and also coming out with flying colours.

He also promised 100% support to the NBA Football Team through her Chairman Hon (Barr) Solomon Sokolo and also promise to support the NBA PH Branch behind the Governor of Rivers State.

In his words "I will always support the NBA PH BRANCH behind our principal His Excellency Chief Barr E.N Wike who is doing eventually everything we thank him and thank you all thank you and God bless you"

The high point of the event was when the deputy speaker donated the sum of 500 thousand Naira to the NBA Sport Committee and the ALL-STARS FC. Followed by his colleagues who also donated the sum of 100 thousand naira each for the NBA football committee and the ALL-STARS FC.

And the position of a Lifetime patron of the NBA Football Team was also bestowed upon the Rt Hon Deputy Speaker RSHA, Rt Hon Ehie Edison, Esq.

07/08/2021

#OfficeoftheDeputySpeaker