9th October, 2023
By Nefishetu Yakubu
The Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata used the occasion of celebration of his 51st birthday on Sunday to narrate his experience as a cancer survivor as well as his determination to emerge the next governor of Edo State.
Akpata had last week joined the Labour Party in Edo during which he also signified his interest in contesting in the state’s 2024 governorship election.
Akpata told his well-wishers, party faithful and supporters who gathered for his birthday in Benin that it is a miracle that he is still standing as he was diagnosed with stage three cancer over 10 years ago.
The former NBA President revealed that he had to undergo multiple surgeries, leading to his being declared cancer-free in the past five years.
Akpata therefore stated that the celebration was not only to mark his birthday but also to thank God for his life over the years.
He said “You may have noticed me dancing around the hall. I am dancing with thanksgiving because I turned 51 years old today. It is a miracle that I am still standing,” he said.
Akpata, who delved into his early life, noted that he lost his mother at the age of 19 when he was taking his final examinations as a law student at the University of Benin.
He explained that his mother died before the age of 49, noting that if not for God’s blessings and mercies upon his life, his stories would have been different.
“The loss of a mother at that critical stage in one’s life can just turn things around but God was there and He has been there in all these 31 years till date.
“I became a lawyer, I started my legal career, I set up a law firm in conjunction with my elder brother and ultimately I became the President of the NBA.
“So you understand why I am excited, why I am happy, why I am grateful to God and that is why I have gathered friends and family members here to celebrate with me,” he added.
Speaking further on his aspiration, Akpata said that the Labour Party had received him warmly into the party, adding that the party would win the governorship election come 2024.
Dignitaries present at the occasion included the Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Osarodion Ogie, the Secretary to State Government (SSG) and Chris Nehikhare, the state Commissioner for Information.
Others are Oluwole Uzi, the commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General of Edo State, Ken Mozia (SAN), Chairman, the Benin branch of the NBA, Nosa Edo-Osagie, and Yusuf Al-Samad Kadiri (SAN), among others.