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In a key celebration of excellence beyond the courtroom, the Association of Legislative Drafters and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has conferred its prestigious “Blue Silk” rank on a select group of distinguished Nigerian legal professionals, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to legislative drafting, policy development, and legal scholarship.
The investiture ceremony, attended by leading figures from the legal, business, academic and government spheres, marked a significant shift in the recognition of non-litigation legal practice in Nigeria. The honourees were selected after a rigorous screening process that confirmed their compliance with ALDRAP’s strict eligibility standards.
Among those honoured are Hon. Paul E. Usenbo, Sir Sam Aiboni, Titilayo Elizabeth Orebiyi, Muhammed Baffa, Hon. Lawal Oluwafemi, Adebayo Akinade, Dr. Onadeko Damilola Edwards, Dr. (Mrs.) Obraori Peters Adeila, Olorungemi O. Bamidele, Senibo Elisha Jaja, Yahaya H. Danzaria, Mrs. Chinelo A. Emeghara, and Canada-based Nigerian lawyer Kennedy Thompson.
The ceremony, themed “ALDRAP’s Blue Silks as an Innovation in Celebrating Legal Excellence of Non-Litigation Nigerian Lawyers: Senior Legislative Counsel (SELCON), Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), and Senior Legal Academic (SLA),” highlighted the expanding role of legislative and advisory expertise in governance and national development.
In his remarks, Ambassador Dahiru Aliyu, SCN, President of the Nigeria Law Society, praised ALDRAP for creating a platform that recognises the often-overlooked contributions of non-litigation lawyers, urging broader reforms in how legal excellence is defined and rewarded.
The event also featured a keynote address by Dr. Johnson Okello, President of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel, who called for stronger institutional frameworks to enhance legislative drafting and parliamentary efficiency across member nations.
A key highlight was the launch of a publication on digital and e-parliament infrastructure in Nigeria, presented in honour of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and formally dedicated to Hon. Usenbo for his service to governance.
The event concluded with the oath-taking ceremony for the newly inducted Blue Silk awardees and the signing of the Enrolment Register, symbolising their entry into an elite cadre committed to excellence in non-litigation legal practice.
ALDRAP’s Blue Silk initiative is widely seen as a bold step toward expanding recognition within Nigeria’s legal profession, placing legislative drafting, policy advisory, and academic excellence firmly in the national spotlight.
