Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday joined National Assembly members from the state and other top government officials in celebrating the historic elevation of two distinguished legal practitioners, Fedude Zimughan and Preye Agedah, to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The two Bayelsa-born lawyers were among the 57 new SANs sworn in by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the Supreme Court in Abuja. It marked the first time since the state’s creation 29 years ago that two indigenes were conferred with the honour simultaneously.
Speaking at a reception ceremony, Governor Diri described the occasion as another landmark moment in the legal history of the state. He noted that with the new elevations, Bayelsa had now produced a total of 11 SANs.
“This is another historic day in the life of our state. Since its creation, this is the first time we are producing two Senior Advocates at the same time. God perfects everything at His own time,” the governor said.
“We are very proud of the two gentlemen, Fedude Zimughan and Preye Agedah. One is from my mother’s local government area while the other is from my father’s. From nothing after the creation of our state, Bayelsa has today produced 11 SANs.”
Governor Diri recalled his long-standing relationship with both honourees, describing Zimughan as “long overdue” for the elevation, while noting that Agedah had also made history as the first SAN from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
He however challenged other local government areas yet to produce SANs to brace up, stressing that the state had the human resources and intellectual capacity to attain more feats in the legal profession.
“In my senatorial district, there is no SAN from Yenagoa Local Government. Even in Southern Ijaw, one of the largest LGAs in Nigeria, there is none. This is a challenge to all of us. This year, we produced two. Next year, we can have three. It is not rocket science,” he said.
The governor congratulated the new SANs on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa and urged them to continue to be worthy ambassadors of the state.
Those present at the ceremony included the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye; Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central); House of Representatives members Dr. Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass), and Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw).
Also in attendance were Senator James Manager (Delta South), a former Minister of Police Affairs and Interior, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, and his wife, Justice Roseline Bozimo; Bayelsa Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN); and the Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Tariyei Leilei, among others.
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Would you like me to make this tighter for a straight news report style (shorter paragraphs, less quotes) or leave it in this ceremonial/feature style with Governor Diri’s detailed remarks?
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