Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger State and his Kogi State counterpart, Gov. Usman Ododo, among others, on Sunday evening, celebrated a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Johnson Usman, at 50.
The event, which was held in Abuja, had in attendance eminent Nigerians in all walks of life, including traditional rulers.
Bago, in his goodwill message, described Usman as “a sound and intelligent lawyer.”
(From left: Sen. David Jimkuta, Johnson Usman, SAN; Jibrin Okutepa, SAN and Afam Osigwe, the President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), at the event to mark the 50th birthday celebration of Usman on Sunday in Abuja.)
According to him, today, we are here to celebrate my “twin” brother, J.J. Usman.
“On behalf of the people and government of Niger State, we want to celebrate with J.J. Usman.
“He has been not just a friend but a brother.
“We have more than 80 people here from Niger State, representing people and government of Niger State here today.
“There is one thing; if you have it, you have it, and if you don’t have it, you don’t have it. For J.J. Usman, he is a brother, a friend, who is knowledgeable in his profession.
“I met him like three years ago but our relationship has been like 30 years ago because he is a, wonderful person,” Bago said.
He prayed God to bless the lawyer’s new, age.
(From left: The father in-law, Dr Gabriel Audu, Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger State and the celebrant, Johnson Usman, SAN, at his 50th birthday celebration on Sunday in Abuja.)
Gov. Ododo also hailed Usman’s professional excellence within a space of time.
The governor, who was represented by the Attorney-General of Kogi State, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, described the celebrator as his friend.
“I bring you greetings from His Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, who is a friend to you,” he said.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Senate, also congratulated Usman on his 50th birthday.
“We are gathered here to celebrate J.J Usaman, SAN, who is my lawyer.
“Beyond being my lawyer, he is a very good friend and he is a very nice person.
“Today is the first day I will be sitting with his beautiful wife.
“You have a woman that brings you peace.
” And the performance that has endeared me to you shows that you have a good wife.
“May your children be greater than you have become,” she said.
Mr Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker, House of Representatives, said Usman is a brilliant lawyer, who is also not corrupt in his dealings.
“Just to say something that will underpin the quality of the man we are celebrating today.
“When it comes to looking for legal representation, he is the first point of call.
” And if you are looking for someone who has not soiled his hands, there are very few of them; Barrister J.J. Usman is one of them.
“We know the sky is your limit. You have not seen the beginning yet,” he said.
Mr Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democraric Party (SDP)’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, praised Usman’s knowledge of the law.
“It is a great day to be here. We all know him from different pointo of view.
“I know him as a very good lawyer who loves justice and rule of law.
“He is a fantanstic lawyer and a good person,” Adebayo said.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, also congratulated the celebrant and prayed for him.
Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, described Usman as “a lawyer who is passionate for justice.”
“All I need to say is that whatever you are doing that makes people of all walks of life to be here today, continue to do it,” he said.
The President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, equally described Usman as “a wonderful and amazing person.”
“The kind of work you do, I wonder how you strike the balance between your family and the work.
“I pray that the blessings of God will continue to be with you,” he said.
A retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Ejembi Eko, described Usman as “a good lawyer and advocate who markets himself very well.”
“I ask God to give him long life,” he said.
Usman, in his response, thanked God for for given him the grace to mark the 50th birthday.
He said he was overwhelmed by the turnout of people at the event.
At the event, Usman’s wife, children, and members of his family including in-laws greased the occasion.