‘Only Effective Use of Other Ports, Can Decongest Apapa’
Maritime is probably the most important sector in any nation’s economy, as most countries’ economies rely heavily on revenues from the sector. Maritime drives global trade, and Nigeria, which for now is an import dependent economy, happens to be so blessed with expansive coastal waters. Many have, however, pondered on why Nigeria for so many years, is yet to realise its full potential in the maritime sector. Mike Igbokwe, SAN, a Maritime Law expert, is not only a big player in the sector, he in fact, helped to draft some of the most important laws in the sector, including the Cabotage Act. As he clocked 60 years last Thursday, Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi engaged him in a chat on serious professional issues, the presentation of his two new books today, and why he is passionate about charity in church ministry
Congratulations on your 60th birthday Learned Silk. In the past, you wrote a book on Cabotage, which was well received as the only and most definitive textbook on the subject-matter in Nigeria. Today, your books, ‘The Trajectory of Excellence in Legal Practice: Insights from Legal Experts’ and ‘The Dynamism of Law & Practice in Nigeria’ are being presented. Well done. What, in your view, is the key to achieving excellence in legal practice today? Kindly, give us a few key points from your books. The topics seem timeous, especially as there have been many a mumbling, that the standard of our legal practice has fallen, like many other things in the country, what with some Judges being accused of corruption, and Senior Lawyers being accused of fuelling this corruption, by using financial inducements to influence Judges to pervert the course of justice. Kindly, comment on this.
I thank you very much for congratulating me on attaining age 60. I thank God also for giving me life, and sustaining my life, these past 60 years. You are right that, the topics (and I dare say, the contents also) of the books are timeous, and that the standard of legal practice has fallen. It is my belief that, the contents of the books will help in raising the standard of legal practice in Nigeria, and that any Lawyer who follows their contents, will not need to pervert the course of justice
When I was planning to ask some of our Senior Advocates of Nigeria to send me papers on different areas of law practice, to be published as one of the activities marking my 60th birthday, my daughter advised me to do something novel, because what I wanted to do was so
“IN MY VIEW, THE THINGS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT IN ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN THE LEGAL PRACTICE TODAY INCLUDE, THOROUGH PUPILLAGE UNDER A SEASONED EXPERIENCED SENIOR LAWYER FOR NOT LESS THAN FIVE YEARS, COMMITTED DILIGENT, LOYAL AND HONEST SERVICE TO YOUR PUPIL MASTER, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IS LAID, AND YOU CANNOT BE A GOOD LEADER WITHOUT FIRST BECOMING A GOOD FOLLOWER......”
common that the books do not get read by many people. She said I should consider publishing a book containing the personal experiences of Senior Advocates of Nigeria in attaining and maintaining excellence in law practice, that would be a reference point and an inspiration to Lawyers aspiring to attain great heights in law practice, and to contribute their quota to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria. I bought the idea. So, ‘The Trajectory of Excellence in Legal Practice: Insights from Legal
Experts’ is a compendium of the learned contributions of 37 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who had attained excellence in different fields of law in this regard. It is the first time in the history of our legal profession and our country, that such work would be done. I thank all the learned contributors for agreeing to share their experience as to how they achieved excellence in the legal profession, so as to encourage and direct the upcoming Lawyers on how to attain same. I chose Senior Advocates of Nigeria because, by virtue of their rank, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee has recognised them as having achieved distinction in the legal profession, although I was by no means stating that only those conferred with that rank, have achieved excellence in the legal profession.
In my view, the things significant in achieving excellence in the legal practice today include, thorough pupillage under a seasoned experienced senior Lawyer for not less than five years, committed diligent, loyal and honest service to your Pupil Master, because that is where the foundation for excellence is laid, and you cannot be a good leader without first becoming a good follower; continuous Legal Education, patience and perseverance in overcoming challenges in the face of difficulties, failures and downtimes, the Almighty God factor, good, wise, tolerant and cooperative spouse, exercise and healthy lifestyle, good name and reputation (integrity).
In conclusion, in as much as it is not easy to attain and maintain excellence in legal practice, it is possible to achieve same, if the right steps (some of which I have stated above), are taken and implemented by anyone aspiring to attain and maintain excellence in legal practice.
The other 36 Senior Advocates also stated the things that are key to achieving excellence, from their experiences in life and in the legal profession. Even though it is a book containing the experiences of senior Lawyers on how to attain excellence in the legal profession, the principles stated in the book are applicable to achieving excellence in any other profession or endeavour in life. So, it is a book that will be useful to other professionals and entrepreneurs, than Lawyers who want to know the secrets of successful professionals and how they achieved success or rose to the peak of their careers. The 2nd book, ‘ The Dynamism of Law & Practice in
Nigeria’, is a collection of various articles on different topics of contemporary issues in law written by Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Senior Lawyers in Nigeria to educate and guide the public, including courts, Lawyers and entrepreneurs. The topics range from Aviation, Election Petitions, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea, Commentary on the recent Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Security Act, 2019, AfCTA Treaty, Maritime Security, Criminal Justice and Administration Act, the Resolution of the controversy between the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria on jurisdiction over Maritime Labour, Professional Ethics for Lawyers, Litigation, Arbitration etc. The topics are highly intellectual. The books are a must, for those who want to excel in their careers.
Here are some excerpts from the two books which will interest you:
“.....The book provides plenty of compelling literature by legal experts on the trajectory of excellence in the legal profession.
The legal Masters “id est”: the learned Contributors, acknowledge and emphasise many of the constants, parameters and core values of the legal profession, such as integrity, industry, scholarship, courtesy, the reading culture, erudition, impeccable appearance, punctuality, perseverance, a good library, correct use of Information Technology and the Internet, time management, pupillage et cetera. These attributes are “sine qua non” for a successful legal practice. The learned Contributions have also demonstrated the need to justify why we are addressed as “learned” people. Thus, as we are presumed to know the law, our legal knowledge must be superb, adequate and current. None of the learned Contributors could have succeeded without a reading culture. And they have also demonstrated that the legal profession is not for the indolent. According to Wole Soyinka the Nobel Laureate for Literature, Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress “justice””... Chief
‘Folake Solanke, SAN - Excerpts from the foreword to the book: ‘The Trajectory of Excellence in Legal Practice: Insights from Legal Experts’ by Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN.
....I believed that the legal profession and our country would be better for it when the younger generation of lawyers and aspirants to the rank of Senior of Advocate of Nigeria, can be inspired by those who had achieved such excellence in the legal profession to continue to strive for excellence in their respective fields of legal practice and promote the growth of law, legal practice, legal practitioners and support the rule of law, for the smooth running of our great country, Nigeria. Also, I thought it was going to be the first of its kind in this regard and would be read by all potential lawyers and those lawyers aspiring to distinguish themselves in law and members of the public who would want to know how some Senior Advocates of Nigeria attained, and maintained distinction, in the legal profession... Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN Excerpts from the preface to the book: The Trajectory of Excellence in Legal Practice: Insights from Legal Experts” by Mr. Mike Igbokwe,SAN.
.......The interesting and compelling narratives of the learned Contributors also reveal that no one is an island unto himself or herself. Thus, in the legal profession, a lawyer must cultivate team work, team spirit and be a good team player. As we address ourselves as “learned friends”, we must be prepared to help one another. We must always learn from one another. In peroration, I reiterate my pleasure in being asked to write the FOREWORD to this unique and impressive book which is a masterly and valuable contribution to legal literature and expertise. I happily recommend it to all lawyers and non lawyers as it will adorn any library. I applaud the learned and erudite Contributors for their candid narratives... Chief ‘Folake Solanke, SAN- Excerpts from the foreword to the book: The Trajectory of Excellence in Legal Practice: Insights from Legal Experts” from Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN
...He contributed and continues to contribute to the expansion of our jurisprudence through his uncommon devotion to the practice of law. If any testimonial is required for his undoubted mastery of law, the recent Supreme Court decision in the case which is bound to become a locus classicus, Sifax Nigeria Limited & Ors v Migfo Nigeria Limited & Anor is a veritable reference. In that case, all the three levels of our superior courts, from the High Court through the Court of Appeal up to the Supreme Court agreed with Mr. Igbokwe’s fine submission that the limitation period for filing a suit did not run when a suit was pending in court between the parties. His elevation to the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2004 was therefore a fitting tribute to his distinguished legal practice and his significant accomplishments as an eminent counsel....... Honourable Minister Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN - Excerpts from the Prologue to the book: The Trajectory of Excellence in Legal Practice: Insights from Legal Experts” by Mr. Mike Igbokwe,SAN
....The legal profession is dynamic and noble. It requires a high level of excellence in its practices and approaches. There are different connections between a society and the law. Hence, the right ethics and principles of the practice should be followed for the purpose of positive impact. The practice of law does not only protect the rights of the individuals in a society, but it also sharpens virtually all social, economic and political spheres of the country for growth and development... Okey Wali, SAN - Excerpts from the foreword to the book: “The Dynamism of Law & Practice in Nigeria” by Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN
You are one of the architects of the Cabotage Act, what is your assessment of the Act, after over a decade and a half? Now that Nigerians can own vessels, how has this impacted the shipping industry?
If I were to assess the Cabotage Act after 15 years of its enactment, space and time will not permit me. I had in the past written two assessments of the Act and made recommendations for improvement, after carrying out research on the progress made on cabotage. I must tell you that, the Act has all that is needed to empower Nigerians in crewing, owning and building ships, and to dominate domestic and regional shipping.
However, over the years, the greatest challenges have been in the areas of implementation and possessing the necessary political will to implement the Act, and monitor the implementation with a view to fine tuning areas of problems. That is not to say that progress has not been made in those areas, but there is a need to improve on the progress made. The current Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (“NIMASA”), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engineer Simbi Wabote, have been doing a lot to ensure the implementation of the Act, for the benefit of Nigerians.
However, Nigerian shipowners have been complaining that they have become an ‘endangered species’, as they have not received the benefits of the Act which I think the implementation Agencies are addressing, or should address.
Nigerians who can afford it, have always bought and owned vessels. However, the expected impact of the Act on the ownership of ships by Nigerians is that, with its provisions that (unless where waived), only ships owned by Nigerians can carry cargo and passengers from point to point within Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone and restrictions on foreign-owned, foreign-built and foreign-crewed ships doing so, plus the disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund that would give Nigerians access to long term ship finance with lower interest rates, more Nigerians would be able to acquire ships for cabotage shipping. This will, in turn, increase the number of ships registered in the Nigerian Ship Register, increase Nigerian tonnage that would enhance its respect among the comity of maritime nations, and provide employment opportunities to Nigerian seafarers.
The Nigerian Content Development Act also has salient provisions, for the growth of ship ownership by Nigerians.
“SO, IT IS A BOOK THAT WILL BE USEFUL TO OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS, THAN LAWYERS WHO WANT TO KNOW THE SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONALS AND HOW THEY ACHIEVED SUCCESS OR ROSE TO THE PEAK OF THEIR CAREERS”
Since I do not own or operate ships, only Nigerian shipowners and those charged with the implementation of the Cabotage Act and the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, would be able to accurately give you the number of ships acquired by Nigerians based on those Acts, and how the acquisition has impacted on the shipping industry. However, to me, it is a function of the proper implementation of the Acts: if the Acts are well and fully implemented, the legislative intentions behind the Acts to promote Nigerian ownership of ships would be met, because the Acts were enacted to promote such ownership.
The lack of capacity of Nigerians to own vessels, has been attributed primarily, to the reluctance of Nigerian Banks to provide financing to those who desire to acquire ships. What could be the reasons for the reluctance of the Banks? And only a few Nigerian insurance companies, offer insurance in that industry. What, in your view, can be done to reverse the trend? What, if any, would be the benefits to our economy, if there was more availability of financing resulting in more Nigerian ship owners?
I will want to put the situation this way: one of the reasons for the lack of capacity for Nigerians to own vessels, is the inability of Nigerian banks to provide loans to those who want to acquire ships. Shipping is capital-intensive and cyclical, requiring sometimes many years to break even. Nigerian banks do not have the capacity to lend heavy sums of money for ship acquisition, as that can erode their capital base, and there are Central Bank of Nigeria’s prudential guidelines they must comply with, in giving out loans. Besides, their loans are short term and interest rates are too high, as none of them gives a single digit interest rate: no shipping company can survive for long on such loans, when used to acquire ships.
Some Nigerians also cannot meet the preconditions set by the banks, for ship finance. Some banks do not have shipping desks trained and experienced in shipping and ship finance, to enable them handle ship finance, enforcement and loan recovery, without burning their fingers, and those that had burnt their fingers had withdrawn from ship finance. On the other hand, their foreign counterparts enjoy loans with single digit interest rates and Government subsidies, which make it possible for them to compete abroad and survive in the business.
As for insurance companies, even though our insurance law mandates that the insurance of some goods (ships are goods), must be carried out in Nigeria by Nigerian insurance companies, they have a way of sharing the risks of any big insurance risk through a consortium of insurers that is led by one of them, and also to re-insure such risks. Nigerian insurers mainly insure used ships, whose values are low. The capacity to insure heavy risks, is a function of the financial and other abilities of each insurance company. If the capital base and technical know-how of Nigerian insurance companies are enhanced, they would be able to insure bigger risks, including new ships. If we have more Nigerian shipowners due to the availability of loans with low interest rates, Nigerian tonnage will increase, the unemployment of seafarers will reduce, revenue would be generated through ship registration, Customs duties, personal and corporate income taxes.
Apart from the Apapa Port, which is now a traffic nightmare in terms of accessibility, our other ports still remain dormant and basically under-utilised. What is the cause of the traffic and accessibility problem to Apapa Port? What solutions can you proffer, to deal with this problem, as we understand that a phenomenal amount of revenue has been lost and continues to be lost on a daily basis, as long as the accessibility problems persist.
The adage is, ‘there is no smoke without fire’. There cannot be a reaction or an effect, without a cause. If you want to remove the smoke or the effect, then put off the fire or remove the cause respectively. Apapa was not the way it is now, in the 80’s or the 90’s. It had one of the best Government Reservation Areas in Nigeria, that people desired to live in. That is now history. The Government being fully aware of the causes of the traffic and accessibility problem in Apapa, has set up a task force to deal with it. I believe that if it deals with the causes, the effect would be eliminated.
Why are the other ports under-utilised? Would it not help to ease the burden on Apapa Port, if the other ports are used more? Or is it that they are not in usable condition? Or people just have a preference for Apapa Port? Surely, it would make more sense for those in the South South and South East zones for instance, to make use of the Ports closer to them like Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar Ports, instead of ferrying goods by road from Apapa across the country.
Definitely, one of the ways Apapa Port can be decongested, is the increased use of other ports especially in the Eastern part of Nigeria, and it is correct to say that, the Eastern ports are under-utilised and running below capacity. I agree with you, that it is better for those in the South East and South South zones to use the ports in those zones for the discharge of their goods, in order to decongest Apapa port. However, because it is the contract between the shipowner and the shipper that determines the discharge port, it is difficult, if not impossible, to force the shippers to ship their cargo to a port they have not chosen. Apapa Port may be more attractive than the Eastern ports to shippers, because of its proximity to a big market based on the population of Lagos State.
Of recent, there has been an increase in piracy on Nigeria’s coastal waters. What challenge does this pose to maritime activities in the region? Do we need specific laws to curb this menace, as Nigeria doesn’t seem to have specialised laws against sea piracy, or is it just that the Navy and other security agencies are not manning our waters well enough?
I will say that, because piracy takes place on the High Seas and armed robbery or unlawful acts occur within internal, coastal and territorial waters; there has been an increase in armed robbery and unlawful acts around Nigeria’s coastal waters, and piracy around the Gulf of Guinea States.
According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau Report on Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships for 1 January to 31 March, 2019, actual and attempted attacks of such crimes around Nigeria in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 7, 10, 7, 22, and 14 respectively. The main challenge posed by them to maritime activities around the region, is maritime insecurity plus its concomitant effects, such as increased freight and insurance costs which shoot up costs of imported goods, due to the need to acquire security gadgets or obtain security. Since the International Conference on Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea organised by the International Maritime Organisation and the Federal Ministry of Transport, from 28th to 30th April, 2008, it had been decided that we needed a specific stand-alone law that would domesticate the relevant treaties, to combat piracy and unlawful acts.
Based on the instructions of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, I drafted the Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts at Sea (and Other Related Offences) Bill, which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 24 June, 2019 as the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019. By the enactment of the SPOMO Act by the President Buhari Government and Nigeria’s hosting of the global summit on maritime security in Abuja in October 2019, the Muhammadu Buhari Government has indeed, shown Nigeria as a country willing, and in the vanguard of countries willing, to fight piracy and armed robbery at sea, and also other maritime crimes on the High Seas around and within its territorial waters. Unlike the situation of things before the SPOMO Act commenced, violators of the provisions of the SPOMO Act can now be arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned or fined, if found guilty. This will combat and prevent piracy and other maritime crimes around and in Nigeria’s territorial waters, and make shipping into and out of Nigeria more secure, with the reduction, if not the elimination, of such maritime crimes.
Under the SPOMO Act, the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA are amongst the law enforcement and security agencies, charged with combatting and preventing piracy and other maritime crimes, and enforcing the provisions of the Act. The Nigerian Navy is doing its best to protect our waters against maritime crimes, but with limited resources, I do not think they have enough ships and armaments to do so, efficiently and effectively. Since piracy is a transnational crime, the Navy and other enforcement and security agencies of one nation cannot efficiently and effectively combat and prevent piracy, without collaborating and cooperating with their counterparts in neighbouring countries.
What is your reaction to the sad state of affairs, where over 80% of containers that come into Nigeria go back empty? How can this imbalance be addressed?
Yes, the carrying of empty, instead of full, containers by ships out of Nigeria, is indeed, a sad state of affairs that has been going on for a long time, and will continue unless we take the right steps to address it. Nigeria, being an import-dependent country, imports a lot of raw materials and finished goods, in containers that would be returned to where they came from. In my view, some of the steps to reverse the imbalance, are to deliberately increase what we can export in containers, and deliberately produce a lot of goods that foreign markets want. The attention being given to the promotion of agriculture by the President Muhammadu Buhari Government, can help to boost the export of agricultural products using containers. Also, the resuscitation of our dying industries, can lead to the export of manufactured goods. I also believe that, by the time the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Treaty is domesticated by African countries that have signed it, intra- African trade that will require export of manufactured goods and agricultural products in containers, will increase. These will help in reversing the trend of shipping empty containers, out of Nigeria.
Is the new Hate Speech Bill being sponsored by Senator Sabi Abdullahi necessary? Even though the death penalty has been deleted from the Bill, what purpose do you think this new Bill, if passed, can serve? Many Lawyers have argued that, there are more than enough laws in this regard.
Honestly, it is difficult to properly and correctly appraise a Bill, since it is a mere proposed Act that has to go through 1st, 2nd and 3rd readings, public hearings and the consensus of the two chambers of the National Assembly. It may end up being enacted in a modified form, or not enacted into an Act at all. However, since members of the National Assembly are the representatives of the people, they also consult and listen to the views of those who elected them, and represent those views. There is nothing wrong in the Hate Speech Bill being constructively criticised by members of the public, so that members of the National Assembly can put their views and public opinion into consideration, in making the Bill into an Act. One thing is very clear, the National Assembly is under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution empowered to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation, with respect to any matter in the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution. Any law by the National Assembly that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, will be null and void to the extent of its inconsistency' because the Constitution is supreme and will prevail over such law. It is the court that interprets, and that can, in appropriate cases, declare such laws null and void.
In my view, the sufficiency of laws on what the Hate Speech Bill addresses, is not what renders an Act of the National Assembly null and void. Also, courts do not inquire into the motive of the National Assembly, in making any law.
Maritime does not seem to be a very popular area of practice in Nigeria. Why is this so? What informed your
“THE NIGERIAN NAVY IS DOING ITS BEST TO PROTECT OUR WATERS AGAINST MARITIME CRIMES, BUT WITH LIMITED RESOURCES, I DO NOT THINK THEY HAVE ENOUGH SHIPS AND ARMAMENTS TO DO SO EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY”
decision to choose this area of law, as your area of expertise? With the wheels of justice turning very slowly in our jurisdiction, how do you cope when urgent matters like arresting a vessel arise? Are such maritime issues accommodated by Arbitration?
Maritime law is now becoming a popular area of practice, because it is no longer a subject that is only taught at Masters level. Some universities now teach it, thereby helping many more students to know and understand it, at first degree level.
I got into the practice, through divine coincidence. After a client briefed me to handle some maritime cases for him, I read up all relevant books on the arrest of the ships he repaired, and did not get paid for. It was whilst conducting the cases, that I realised how wide and technical the field was and took deeper interest in it. I decided to go to the Institute of Maritime Law to study Maritime Law, and got a distinction at the Post Graduate Diploma level. Subsequently, I successfully scaled through Masters in Maritime and Commercial Law, at the same Institute.
It is regrettable that the slow rate of administration of justice in Nigeria, has started adversely affecting the hearing and determination of maritime cases, and the right solution has not been applied to it. All over the world, it is a universal principle that, admiralty matters must be given accelerated hearing because ships and cargo that are of gargantuan commercial and monetary values, are involved in such matters. Businessmen want such disputes quickly resolved, so they can continue with their businesses. The Federal High Court gives expeditious hearing to the hearing of applications for arresting, or releasing from arrests, ships and other maritime property, but the hearing and determination of the substantive claims and appeals arising from them, are yet to be fast-tracked. The prosecution of some offences and AMCON claims, enjoy fast-tracked hearing and determination at trial and appeal courts. It is my desire that maritime claims should be similarly treated, or special courts should be set up for the hearing determination of maritime claims by Judges experienced in maritime matters.
Maritime matters are accommodated by arbitration, in cases where the underlying contract has an arbitration clause, but many of those contracts either confer jurisdiction on foreign courts, or provide for arbitration in foreign lands according to foreign laws. However, an arbitral panel, does not issue warrants of arrest of ships. An indigent Nigerian shipper, who cannot afford to meet the expenses of foreign travels for his witnesses, himself and his Lawyer to prosecute the case or to pay for English Lawyers, abandons his claims eventually.
Kindly, comment on the border closure, and whether it has had any positive impact on our economy. Has it affected shipping in any way?
There is no country which closes its borders with neighbouring countries, that it would not affect or impede the movement of goods and persons across its borders. So, by impeding the movement of goods and persons, trade with its neighbours has been affected. But, it is a double edged sword in the sense that, it can be used to discourage, if not stop smuggling of banned goods and movement of illegal immigrants especially the ones that cause insecurity in Nigeria. In that regard, it is bound to have a positive impact, on our economy.
I do not think it has affected shipping seriously, because ships are not used to transport goods and passengers between our country and its neighbours. The only effect the border closure may have, would be on goods that are shipped to our neighbouring ports (Cotonou and Yaounde), from where they are transported or smuggled by roads into Nigeria. With the border closure, the goods can no longer come into Nigeria, and it could reduce the export of those goods to the neighbouring countries.
You head a very powerful and impactful arm of the Household of God Church. How did you come into the Ministry of catering for the welfare of the less privileged? How fulfilling has this been for you?
Yes, I was appointed in 1999 by Pastor Chris Okotie, as the Head of the Benevolence Department of our Church. The Department caters for the needy and poor in our church, and coordinates our church’s national programme called G.R.A.C.E. I do not know about its being powerful, because all powers belong to God, but I can say it is an impactful arm due to the impact of its work, not just on the poor and needy members of our church, but also the impact of G.R.A.C.E. which is held on the Sunday preceding Christmas every year, on the Nigerian society. A part of the G.R.A.C.E event is the Karis Award, which is given to a Nigerian who has contributed to the development of one sector or the other of our nation, but whose contribution has not been recognised at all, or sufficiently recognised, and it is calculated to encourage patriotism.
After I was saved by our Lord Jesus Christ, I realised that I had a gift of, or flair for supporting the needy and poor. So, I joined the Benevolence Department of our Church about 1990, which was the only Department that provided me the opportunity to do such. I do not know why I was appointed the Head of the Department, because I was actually in school undergoing my Post Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law when I got appointed as the Head of Department. It is an administrative or overseeing office, because a Bishop is an Overseer. However, I was happy to accept the appointment and serve. God has also given me the grace, wisdom and strength, to do the little things I had been able to do in that Department.
It has been fulfilling, in the sense that it has given me the opportunity to serve (persons) in the House of God and serve humanity in an area I have a flair for, but which is different from my legal service to my clients. It makes me not to regard myself as a ‘Sunday-Sunday’ church goer, who just goes to church to collect without giving back. I thank Pastor Okotie and God for the opportunity and privilege to serve in that Department, and all that I have learnt in that office.
Thank you Learned Silk. We wish you a very happy birthday, long life and prosperity, and many more productive years.
Amen. I thank you.
“MARITIME LAW IS NOW BECOMING A POPULAR AREA OF PRACTICE, BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER A SUBJECT THAT IS ONLY TAUGHT AT MASTERS LEVEL. SOME UNIVERSITIES NOW TEACH IT, THEREBY HELPING MANY MORE STUDENTS TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND IT AT FIRST DEGREE LEVEL”