Gombe Throws Valedictory Dinner in Honour of Outgoing CJ

By Christopher Lula, GOMBE

Gombe State Government has honoured the recently retired Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak by throwing a valedictory honour as a way of appreciating his services and contributions to the state, nation and humanity.

The Banquet Hall, Government House, venue of the dinner was filled to the brim with top Government Officials, and well wishers who registered their presence in honour of the celebrant.

The State Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau, Ph.D, conveyed the congratulations and gratitude of the Governor, Government and people of Gombe State for his services and contributions to the justice system and humanity.

The Deputy Governor said " we have gathered to appreciate God, and celebrate our dear brother, outgoing Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak, who served the state and the nation very well and retired statutorily not on grounds of ill-health, corruption or death but for putting in the constitutional requirement of years of service. I stand on all praises and encomiums of all those who spoke earlier on the retiring Chief Judge. Indeed he has served humanity meritoriously and we wish him well in his post service life."

"I am delighted that, in your speech you said" you are retired but not tired. I enjoined you to make yourself available and assist in lecturing students when the faculty of law is fully established in the Gombe State University. I believe you can handle lectures alongside the farming you said you will engage in. God will bless you and renew your strength."

"I advise you to socialize with people, do not detach yourself too much from politics, these will help you serve humanity better," he added.

In their separate responses, the newly sworn- in Acting Chief Judge, Justice Halima Sadiya Mohammed, and Speaker, State House of Assembly, Right Honourable, Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, as well as the Commissioner of Justice Hon. Barr. Zubairu Mohammed Umar who doubles as State  Attorney General,described the Retiring Chief Judge as an incorruptible, dedicated and committed jurist who left land mark legacies in the history of Gombe State judiciary  to be emulated.

The Speaker said, Justice Ahmed Awak has created a synergy and harmony between the legislature and the judiciary, and the Commissioner of Justice explained that he has cemented the rapport between the judiciary and the executive arms of Government while presiding as the Chief Judge of Gombe State. They wished him well in his feature endearvours.

Also in their separate goodwill messages, Justice Abdulhameed Mohammed Yakubu spoke on behalf of the High Court Judges and Khadi Aminu Pindiga spoke on behalf of Shariah Court Judges extolling the virtues of the celebrant as someone who left colossal imprints of his sojourn as a legal luminary that will remain indelible in their hearts.

The Secretary to the State Government Prof.Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Chief of Staff, Government House, Head of Civil Service, Gombe State, Alh. Bappayo Yahaya, Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers, and other top Government Functionaries cutting across the Judiciary, legislature and the executive were in attendance.

The event featured cultural dances and guests were treated to a sumptuous meal.