Tribute to ‘a Great Bar Leader’
Tribute in honour of Olumuyiwa O. Olowokure Esq, former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Kaduna Branch, by Dele Adesina, SAN, Past General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association
IShocking News received the news of the death of ‘O.O.’, as we fondly called him in Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) circle, with a rude shock. My immediate reaction was to say “this cannot be true”. So, I made a couple of phone calls. Alas! It turned out to be true. I began to ask questions, from nobody in particular. Questions like, Why? How? Was he sick? For how long? How come I didn’t know? What is really going on?
Not long ago, I heard about the deaths of Reuben James and Femi Moroundiya, two other great friends, both of whom demonstrably like O.O believed in me and in my quest for the President of NBA, 2014. I quickly stopped the questions. First, because I couldn’t find answers to them, and secondly, I remember the truism that, nobody no matter how powerful, can add one second to his life time. I also recognise that, there is no accident in predestination. That is why the scripture says that, there is a time to be born and there is a time to die. The timing of these two great events of life, is beyond the knowledge and comprehension of any man.
Olumuyiwa Olowokure: His Character and Beliefs
Muyiwa Olowokure was a great Bar leader, a very honest, sincere and committed friend. A very reliable, straight forward and trusted Bar man. Because Muyiwa was straight forward, he would make his position known on any issue, with absolute clarity. Because he was straight forward, he never sat on the fence on any issue. Like me, he believed that a man who sits on the fence, is either a coward or a traitor. He was a reliable collaborator, in the politics of the Bar. Because he was demonstrably reliable, you could take every single word that proceeded out of his mouth, as valuable as gold. He was a forthright person, a practical believer in a dynamic and progressive Bar.
Muyiwa believed in leadership that would not be consumed by the allure of power, but would be driven by the passion to serve the Bar, and better the standard of living of the Nigerian Lawyer. He excelled as a Bar leader. Perhaps, I should add that Olumuyiwa Olowokure Esq. would have been one of the best General Secretaries of the NBA, if he had won his election into the office of General Secretary of the NBA in 2012.
Muyiwa lived a very resourceful life. He was well known and acknowledged, in his chosen profession. It is not how long, but how well. Muyiwa chose the platform of NBA, to serve humanity. I believe Muyiwa lives in the hearts of our great Bar Men and Women, throughout Nigeria. Remember, to live in the hearts of men, is not to die.
State of the Legal Profession in Nigeria
As we remember Muyiwa, let us reflect on the state of the Legal Profession in Nigeria, and our Association – The Nigerian Bar Association. In particular, let us take the responsibility to look directly into history, and ask ourselves as members of the Legal Profession – What must we do differently, to achieve a better result in the burning areas of defence of the rule of law, sustenance of democracy, and the supremacy of our Constitution. Indeed, the role of the NBA in bringing about a much desired functional federal Constitution, the protection of fundamental human rights of the citizens, the unqualified and unconditional obedience of court orders and judgements, the protection of independence of Lawyers and Judges in Nigeria, as well as speedy and enhanced administration of justice.
Let me bring this tribute to a worthy friend, a consummate Bar man and a straight forward and principled personality to a close, by saying that the time has come, when we must resolve as a people to unleash the productive capacity of the NBA to reverse the misfortunes of the Legal profession, and demonstrably contribute to the task of nation building, through the enthronement of the rule of law and due process.
As for death, you have done your worst, by taking this gentleman at a young and vibrant age of only 56 years, but let me assure you dear colleagues that when satan the author of death is at its worst, as in this instance, God is at His best, and this same God, I am fully persuaded, will be the father of the children and the husband of the widow, Muyiwa left behind. My great condolences to his beloved wife, his amiable children, members of his family, and members of the Bar in Kaduna State.
Dele Adesina, SAN, Past General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association Life Bencher, Distinguished Body of Benchers
“MUYIWA OLOWOKURE WAS A GREAT BAR LEADER, A VERY HONEST, SINCERE AND COMMITTED FRIEND. A VERY RELIABLE, STRAIGHT FORWARD AND TRUSTED BAR MAN.... HE WAS A FORTHRIGHT PERSON, A PRACTICAL BELIEVER IN A DYNAMIC AND PROGRESSIVE BAR”