Legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olayiwola Afolabi, is set to host a grand reception for the newly elected Executive of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, also known as the “Lion Bar”.
The legal icon popularly called Otunba said the reception will be a special ceremony in line with his tradition of hosting every new NBA, Benin Bar Exco for over a decade.
The event scheduled for First of September, 2026, will be held at Uyi Grand Event Centre, Benin City.
The learned silk maintained that attendance is strictly by invitation and is expected to attract top lawyers and dignitaries from across Edo State and beyond.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), and a senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Edoba Bright Omoregie, SAN, will be the Special Guest of Honour, and will deliver the key note address.
The reception will be chaired by Right Honourable Pascal Ugbomeh, Esquire, former Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Renowned broadcaster and lawyer, Mac Ebi, Esq., will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
A Benin-based lawyer, Pastor Matthew Osa-Oghogho, will anchor the prayers for the day.
Fast rising gospel choir, Royal Melodies founded by Otunba, will also perform at the event.
Meanwhile, those entitled to automatic invitation include all past Chairmen of the Lion Bar, all former Attorneys General of Edo State including the present Attorney General, and all former Secretaries of the Lion Bar.
Also attending are; the Solicitor General of the state, Stephen Okoroh, Esquire, the Director of Public Protection in the Ministry of Justice and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of justice.
The Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA and the Chairperson of Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, both in Edo State are also expected to attend.
All the law lecturers at the faculty of law, UNIBEN, will attend the event.
A goodwill message is expected from former NBA President, Austin Alegeh, SAN, CON.
Also giving a good will message at the event, is the Principal Partner of Medlex Legal Firm, E. C. Abednego, Esquire.
Other guests expected include notable journalists and broadcasters led by Festus Alenkhe, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State Chapter and General Manager of Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS.
In one of the high points of the event, Otunba will present special laptops to every counsel in his law office as a way of celebrating his team.
He will also give ₦50,000 to each of the nominees of Edwin, the newly elected INEC Chairman of the AGC Conference, to celebrate their emergence.
Apart from what he will give to the new exco of the lion bar, each of them will be given a copy of the holy Bible by Olayiwola Afolabi as a way of strengthening them spiritually.
Guests should also expect a special and sumptuous meal as part of the celebration.
Speaking of the gesture, many lawyers described Afolabi’s hosting as a mark of support and mentorship, and a cherished tradition within the Benin Bar.