The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa has hailed the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for counting worthy two lawyers of the agency, Mr Sylvanus Tahir and Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, for conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Bawa expressed gratitude to God who has made this happen for the first time in the Commission under his watch.
“As I am standing here before you, I have stirring in me, several emotions. Emotions of joy, happiness and pride. I stand here as a happy man. Sometime last year in April, an announcement was made that I was nominated by the President as the next Chairman of EFCC, and people were saying that the EFCC is going to be in disarray and very soon we will be fighting one another. That’s why I’m very happy not only because EFCC has grown from strength to strength but we understand what human needs are which is the reason the Commission was able to produce two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Tahir and Oyedepo.
“I am also very proud I would say with all sense of modesty that it is during my tenure that we attained this. I want to use this opportunity to challenge all the lawyers that are here to emulate our very own newly minted Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
“Today is not a day of speeches but this morning I received something from somebody which more or less describes our celebrants that we are celebrating today.
“I know the celebrant as we have worked in several commands together, he was a Zonal Head of Legal Department when I was a Zonal Commander in Port Harcourt. During the course of my career in the EFCC, I have worked with him at a very close range.
“Let me conclude by reading what someone said which will make the celebrants happy today and for all us to emulate while we carry out our day-to-day activities.
“It says, lions may win the race but indeed in the journey, be honest, work hard, say thank you to someone each day, take time to pray, love your life and what you have been given.
“It is not accidental to serve with purpose and do it as best as you can. Dreaming does matter, it allows you to become what you aspire to be. Laugh often, appreciate little things in life and also enjoy them. Forgive, it heals the soul, recognise people you have been made to know, take time for yourself, and enjoy each moment of your life. Thank you very much”.