President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, has described the recently passed revered Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief George Nwokocha Uwechue as a man who displayed the highest standard of professional ethics and discipline; a statesman to the core.
Maikyau, SAN in his address at a valedictory court session held in honour of the departed Owelle of Ogwashi Uku also charged those present to use “the opportunity of our father’s passing to contemplate our mortality…”
Read the entire address below.
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NBA, MR YAKUBU CHONOKO MAIKYAU, OON, SAN, DELIVERED AT THE VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION HELD IN HONOUR OF THE LATE CHIEF GEORGE NWOKOCHA UWECHUE, SAN, FINALS ON 25 JANUARY 2024 AT THE HIGH COURT OF DELTA STATE, ASABA
PROTOCOLS
My Lord, the Honourable, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Honourable Justice Theresa O. Diai, and My Lords, the Judges of Delta State Judiciary herein sitting en banc, it is with a heavy heart that I stand today on this solemn occasion to pay tribute to a distinguished member of the legal profession and my elder brother at the inner bar, the late Chief George Nwokocha Uwechue, SAN, FNIALS (the Owelle of Ogwashi
Uku).
Valedictory Court sessions, irrespective of the circumstance, are sober and solemn moments; they both speak to the transience of the positions we are privileged to hold in life and the fleetingness of life itself. When it is about death, it comes with it an additional feeling of sadness for an irreparable loss. Although the learned silk could be said to have lived to a ripe old age, his passing is nonetheless painful for his friends and loved ones.
Owelle George Uwechue was an active and committed Barman. He was a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association in the Body of Benchers for 17 years before his appointment as a Life Bencher. He also served our nation to the best of his abilities and in varying capacities, having served as Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Member of the Rules Advisory Committee that drafted the Supreme Court Rules, 1985 (as Amended) and Member of Federal House of Representatives representing Aniocha Federal Constituency, in the old Bendel State.
Indeed, he was a statesman to the core. He distinguished himself as a true professional who practiced law with dignity, honour, displaying regard for the highest standard of professional ethics and discipline. The learned silk will be remembered for his commitment to the Bar and the cause of the nation.
As we commemorate the end of a life that was birthed 86 years ago, I will not fail to remind us here today to take the opportunity of our father’s passing to contemplate our mortality, our sincerity, and our eternity. We should reflect on our own lives, our fading moments, and the coming day of reckoning.
Let us see to it that we walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, making the most use of time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5: 15 – 16). We must remain conscious of the transient nature of life and daily rely on God to “… teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). We must not, as the Scripture admonishes, mourn as those without hope.
On behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), I commiserate with the learned Silk’s children – 4 of whom are our learned friends, members of the extended family and the entire people of Ogwashi Uku.
I also extend my condolences to the lawyers and staff of G. N. Uwechue & Co. on our collective loss. I pray that God will comfort the hearts of all members of his family, colleagues, and friends.
May the peace of God, which is beyond human understanding, protect our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I thank you all for your attention.
May it please my Lords.
