Commissions Tayo Oyetibo Bar center, library in Ondo
By Tolulope Eniola
Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has described the legal profession as a vital pillar of democratic society, saying the Bench and the Bar remain indispensable guardians of constitutional order, civil liberties and the rule of law.
The governor stated this on Friday during the unveiling and commissioning of the Tayo Oyetibo, SAN Bar Centre, donated to the Ondo Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in Ondo City by renowned legal luminary, Tayo Oyetibo.
Aiyedatiwa said the event represented more than the commissioning of a physical structure, noting that the Bar Centre symbolises intellectual excellence, institutional growth, professional solidarity and commitment to justice.
According to him, without a courageous, intellectually vibrant and independent legal profession, democracy would gradually lose its moral foundation and institutional strength.
“The legal profession occupies a sacred and indispensable position within every democratic society,” the governor said, adding that strengthening institutions that promote legal scholarship, ethical advancement and professional development remains essential to sustaining democracy.
He commended Chief Oyetibo for what he described as an extraordinary act of generosity and professional patriotism through the donation of the Bar Centre to the NBA Ondo Branch.
The governor noted that the gesture reflected the importance of investing in institutions that shape society and nurture future generations of legal practitioners.
He added that every young lawyer who passes through the centre would encounter not just a building, but a symbol of aspiration, discipline, integrity and purposeful service.
Aiyedatiwa also praised the leadership and members of the NBA Ondo Branch for promoting institutional development and professional excellence within the legal community.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the rule of law, the governor stressed that sustainable development can only thrive where justice is accessible, rights are protected and public confidence in institutions remains strong.
He said Ondo State would continue to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the administration of justice, legal practice and democratic governance.
The governor further described the NBA as an important conscience of the nation that has consistently defended constitutionalism, protected democratic values and enriched public discourse.
He expressed optimism that the Bar Centre would serve as a hub for legal scholarship, intellectual engagement and professional advancement for generations to come.
In his remarks, Oyetibo described the project as a significant contribution towards strengthening the legal profession and deepening the administration of justice.
He said lawyers remained custodians of justice, defenders of the rule of law and guardians of constitutional order, adding that investment in their welfare and working environment amounted to investing in society itself.
Oyetibo explained that the idea for the project emerged after he discovered that the Ondo NBA branch lacked a befitting Bar Centre unlike neighbouring states.
According to him, the branch leadership approached him on June 13, 2025, after unsuccessful efforts spanning two decades, while construction commenced on July 1, 2025, following modifications to the original design.
He said the facility was designed to promote mentorship, professional development, intellectual engagement and unity among lawyers, with facilities including a reception area, hall, library, conference room, cafeteria, lawyers’ lounge, FIDA office and document processing rooms.
Earlier, chairman of the occasion, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, commended Oyetibo’s generosity and unwavering commitment to the legal profession, stating that senior lawyers in the South-West remained committed to supporting younger practitioners.
He urged younger lawyers not to “drop the baton” but to sustain the ideals and legacies established by older members of the profession.
Also speaking, Supreme Court Justice, Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, appreciated the decision to dedicate the library in her honour and announced the donation of Nigerian Weekly Law Reports covering 2005 to 2026 to the library.
She described the library as a sanctuary for knowledge, reflection and intellectual growth, stressing that legal cases were often won or lost through diligent preparation and sound research.
In his welcome address, chairman of the NBA Ondo Branch, Henry Idowu Akingbesote, described the commissioning of the Tayo Oyetibo Bar Centre as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration pursued by generations of lawyers in the branch.
He said the centre symbolised unity, sacrifice and commitment to the legal profession and the rule of law.
Akingbesote disclosed that the NBA Ondo Branch was formally registered in 2001 during the tenure of O.C.J. Okocha as NBA President and paid tribute to past leaders and judges, including Olasehinde Kumuyi and W.A. Akintoroye, for supporting the project.
He added that Oyetibo initially agreed to build the structure to roofing level after a meeting in Lagos but later completed the modern edifice with state-of-the-art facilities.
In his lecture, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, has urged Nigerian lawyers to embrace technology, defend democratic institutions and reinvent the profession to remain relevant.
Fagbohun in his lecture titled: The Future of the Nigerian Lawyer: Power, Technology and the Reinvention of the Profession, ppl said the legal profession was at a critical juncture driven by technological innovation, globalisation and institutional transformation, which could not be ignored.
He warned lawyers risk marginalisation if they fail to adapt.
He described future lawyers as technologically empowered, globally engaged and capable of handling complex legal environments, saying choices will determine relevance in justice administration.
He urged maintenance culture, tradition, Bar Centre reinvention drive.
Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Adesoji Afolabi; the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo; Justices of the Court of Appeal, High Court judges, lawyers, among others.
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