Arrangements are in top gear to host the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Archdiocese of Ibadan, New Legal Year Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Oke-Padre, Ibadan, Oyo State, beginning at 9am, which would have as Chief Celebrant, His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan. 

The New Year Legal Mass is being organized to inspire Catholics to discharge their duties effectively without bias, and to officially mark the commencement of activities in the courts, reawaken the commitment of legal practitioners, judges, and those saddled with the task of administration of justice. 

According to the President of NACL, Archdiocese of Ibadan, Michael Agbolade and the Chairman, Planning Committee, Chuks Maduka, the Thanksgiving Mass will be followed by public lecture titled, ‘Law Practice and the Judiciary in Contemporary Nigeria: Any Hope for Social Justice?’ which is to be delivered by the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Prof. John Akintayo, who is also a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch. 

During the reception, some members of the association will be given award plaques for their notable achievements in the legal profession. 

Furthermore, Catholic Bishops from the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan, Judges, Legal Luminaries, and Retired Judge of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Peter Ige (JCA), Patron of the association, and other dignitaries from all walks of life, including the NACL Ibadan Archdiocesan Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Joachim Akee, are expected to grace the event. 

It would be recalled that last year, the Chairman of the occasion was Mr. Ayo Akinyemi, a consummate Media Practitioner, Biographer, and Public Affairs Analyst; the Guest speaker was Chimezie Victor C. Ihekweazu, SAN, FCArb, FBR; while the title of the public lecture was, ‘Effective Justice Delivery: Pathway to Economic Development in Nigeria’. 

The Ibadan Branch of NACL is dedicated to promoting justice and upholding the rule of law by bringing together Catholic Lawyers from across Nigeria to work towards a just and equitable society.