A Valedictory session was held today 4th July at the High Court of Justice, Jos, Plateau.
See more photos below and T Governor Simon Bako Lalong’s speech at the occasion.
GOODWILL MESSAGE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE VALEDICTORY SESSION IN HONOUR OF RETIRED AND RETIRING HONOURABLE JUDGES OF THE PLATEAU STATE JUDICIARY HELD IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE AT JOS ON THE 4TH OF JUNE, 2017
PROTOCOL
Your Lordship, the Honourable Chief Judge, permit me the kind quotation of the Holy Bible given the persuasion of my Christian faith.
The book of Ecclesiastes otherwise called the Preacher shares and expresses the sentiments of the moment, as we pour out encomiums and eulogies in hour of the retired and retiring Judges of the Plateau State Judiciary.
The Seventh Chapter of the book hold these truths and I wish to quote;
“A good name is better than fine perfume” (Verse 1) … It is also said “It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the songs of fools” (Verse 5).
Finally, it said “The end of a matter is better than its beginning and patience is better than pride” (verse 8)
I see in these verses the virtues of integrity you have exhibited in your service on the Bench; I see also the place of your patience as you allowed fair hearing to all men even in periods of clear legal manipulation of the latitude of adjournments so Justice is served to all. At the end you have proved true the assertion that the end of a matter is better than its beginning.
Today we are here to celebrate the end of a season of meritorious service, which has earned you a name, and for which we can proudly say like the Naval Seaman whose voyage comes to a successful end; that you came, you saw and you have conquered.
The Judiciary has come under Public Scrutiny in the history of our Political evolution as a Nation. Praise and condemnation have trailed the process of Justice delivery and while majority have worked to preserved the sanctity of the Judiciary, the Public seem to find justification for its condemnation from the acts of few who have compromised.
In all of these, the Judiciary though an institution of human beings full of fallibility like every other institution of service delivery, it has remained one institution whose system, structure, practice and professional ethics, have made it the final point for the earthly test of the true intent and purpose behind the fallible action of every man. In the course of our journey as a Nation the corporate existence of our country and in fact all Nations of the World have been preserved by the integrity, sacrifices, resilience and discipline of the bench, in al those judgements that have kept people from living as savages.
I salute Hon Justice Thomas D. Naron (Rtd), Justice Hussaini Ali Othman (Rtd), Justice Mohammed Adamu Farinkasa (Rtd), Justice Rayyanu Ibn Adam (Rtd), Justice Gofwen Dugul Gotep (Rtd), Justice Yakubu Idris Ibn Usman (Rtd) and the Retiring Justice Philomena Lami Lot; for standing tall to be counted as people who have served the course of God, humanity and Nation. To you all I dare to say, the fear of God ruled your heart; the knowledge of the law guided your path, and the consciousness of how you will be remembered, nurtured you all through the years of service.
Your Lordships my presence at this valedictory session is therefore an open attestation of the place of your service to our State and how deeply appreciative we are as a State of all these years of sacrifice on the Bench. Your place in history of our State has been carved, and the engravement in the plague of Judicial honour will remain an indelible print, that will continue to serve the course of posterity long after you have left the earth.
On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Plateau State, we covet God’s blessings upon you; the blessings of health, sound mind and long life, so you live in the prosperity of a healthy retirement.
I must not forget to thank your spouses, children and relations who on account of your commitment and sacrifices in office lost the rich family value of your presence and availability. They are the direct recipients of the deprivations of your sacrifices in office and now that you retire to them, our prayers are for them to have the best you can offer in retirement.
In conclusion, I wish to say, like the proverbial Oliver Twist who is always asking for more, that you should be willing and available to serve when called upon for responsibilities that we cannot afford to let your wealth of experience go un-noticed in your engagement; After all the reward for hard work is more work and our country is not known to let people of integrity rest until they finally rest. I pray we find sufficient replacement to let you enjoy your retirement.
Once more, I thank you and may God Almighty bless you and prosper our dear State.
With the kind permission of his Lordship, I rest my case and take my bow.
Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong
Executive Governor
