“Let your robes be more than a symbol — let them be a standard.”
Chief Emeka J.P. Obegolu, SAN, FCIArb (UK), Life Bencher and a distinguished figure in the Nigerian legal community, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the newly called members of the Nigerian Bar.
In a message brimming with pride, reflection, and forward-looking counsel, the learned Silk welcomed the new wigs into the noble profession of law, urging them to embrace the privilege with purpose, humility, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
“To be called to the Nigerian Bar is more than a ceremony,” Chief Obegolu noted.
“It is the beginning of a lifelong mission — to stand for truth, uphold the rule of law, and be a voice for those who have none.”
The Weight of the Wig: A Call to Responsibility
While acknowledging the significance of the call-to-bar ceremony as a personal and familial milestone, Chief Obegolu reminded the new wigs that the law is a solemn trust, not merely a profession. He urged them to wear their new titles with grace and a sense of public duty.
“The function of freedom is to free someone else,” he quoted from Toni Morrison, encouraging them to use their voices, knowledge, and skills to unlock justice for the oppressed.
On the Way Forward: Be Lawyers of Substance, Not Just Style
Chief Obegolu, who currently serves as the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chairman of the NBA Remuneration Committee, emphasized that the legal profession is evolving — shaped by technology, global trends, and the growing demand for ethical leadership.
He challenged the new wigs to go beyond formality, urging them to:
- Invest in continuous learning through CLE programs, mentorship, and emerging legal sectors such as arbitration, tech law, and climate justice.
- Commit to integrity, as character remains the bedrock of legal excellence.
- Be bold, even when speaking truth to power.
“You are not just lawyers. You are architects of justice, designers of democracy, and custodians of conscience,” he said.
The Expectation: Professionalism, Service, and Impact
The learned Silk expressed his confidence that this new cohort of lawyers will carry the torch of integrity and innovation.
He reminded them that Nigeria, and indeed Africa, needs lawyers who are not afraid to lead, lawyers who defend justice not just in courtrooms but in communities, policy spaces, and boardrooms.
“The true measure of your success,” he concluded, “is not how many cases you win, but how many lives you uplift in the process.”
In Closing
Chief Obegolu prayed for wisdom, resilience, and distinction for the new wigs and encouraged them to rise to the demands of the times — with their robes as banners of courage, and their voices echoing the call of justice.
“The law is reason, free from passion,” Aristotle once said.
“But let your practice of law never be free from compassion.”
Congratulations to Nigeria’s newest learned friends.
The Bar is proud. The nation awaits. The journey begins.
