By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Gombe State went agog for the attainment of one its sons, Barrister Mela Audu Nunghe, who bags the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), owing to dint of hard work.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board LITFCMB Chief Executive Officer, Chief Mrs. Lucy Omosefe Ajayi showered encomiums on Barrister Nunghe SAN who is the Commissioner for Special Duties Gombe State and also Chairman LITFCMB.
Barrister Nunghe who is a consummate, industrious and purposeful barrister, solicitor and notary public with over 35 years of experience in civil, criminal and corporate practice, made the list of 72 senior lawyers invested as Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN) by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria at the body’s 143rd plenary session.This honour is coming barely a week after another Gombe illustrious son, Justice Adamu Jauro was sworn-in as the first Justice of the Supreme Court from the state, and less than one year since the establishment of a Court of Appeal Division in Gombe- a development that has seen the state unprecedentedly registering enviable presence in the judicial map of reckoning – all courtesy of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s positive disposition and relentless efforts in that direction.
Governor Yahaya attributed Barisiter Nunghe’s new feat to his outstanding pedigree, remarkable courtcraft, determination and dedication to the legal profession as well as his commitment to the pursuit of justice.
The Governor who observed that the award is a mark of recognition for members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves, said with his elevation to the inner bar, Nunghe has written his name on the sands of history and joined the hall of fame as the first Gombe state indigene to have attained this exalted rank.
While noting that Barrister Nunghe has contributed a lot to the development of law in Nigeria through dint of hardwork and determination, Governor Yahaya hailed him for replicating his sterling performance in Gombe state by making valuable and immense contribution as a member of the state Executive Council.
He said that the rank of SAN is an important one that carries with it some degree of privilege and influence, urging the SAN-designate to bring to bear his ingenuity, wealth of experience and vast legal knowledge as well as keep the Gombe flag flying high at the inner bar. The Governor guaranteed the support and solidarity of the government and people of Gombe state to the legal luminary in particular, and to all professionals and the citizenry in general to reach the pinnacle of their respective careers.
The Chief Executive Officer LITFCMB, Chief Mrs. Lucy Ajayi, while appreciating the board’s chairman for the enviable height attained at a gala night organized by the Gombe Governor in his honour, cited some innate qualities of the new SAN who she described as a team player, who gives maximum support to positive performance.
Ajayi averred that Barrister Nunghe is one with a heart of gold, that holds nothing back as it pertains evolving a functional structure anywhere he is on board serving.
“I was here last week from Monday to Friday and I decided to surprise him by coming in this morning again to honour him and his family.
“I have to be here because my Chairman is very important to me,the luck I had is that my Chairman answers in the affirmative, anything I ask of him he approves.
“I haven’t seen such kind of person before,I am looking this happy and good because my Chairman is good.
“I don’t know how he does it, anytime he will ask ED how do you want it to be done? I say sir you are asking me, you are to approve,he will say recommend and I will approve.
“So, I am so blessed and lucky to have a Chairman in his person, who also became a SAN in my own time.
“God was waiting for this time to make him a SAN so that I will be happy to say that during my own time he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.” Said Chief Ajayi.
Deputy Governor, Gombe State Manassah Daniel Jatau was also present alongside a retinue of dignitaries from all walks of life who came to felicitate with the new SAN, Barrister Nunghe.