Being full text of address by Prof. Yusuf Ali SAN, fciarb, at the 30th Anniversary of Ghalib Chambers held at the Banquet Hall, opposite Government House, Ilorin, Kwara State on Saturday, June 1, 2024
Courtesies
Allah our Creator taught as follows in His glorious holy Book, “O Allah, Owner of sovereignty; You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honour whom You will and humble whom You will. In Your Hands is all good indeed. You are over all things competent. You cause the night to enter the day and You cause the day to enter the night, and You bring the living out of the dead and You bring the dead out of the living. And You give provision to whom you want without measure or account”.
My heart is full of gratitude, humility and deepest appreciation to Almighty Allah the Creator, the Divine Architect, the Giver and Nourisher, for helping me through thirty (30) incredible years of setting up Yusuf Ali & Co. Ghalib Chambers. As I reflect on the journey, I am reminded of the countless times Allah intervened, guided and blessed me even when all hope seemed lost. He still does.
I remember the early days, when I didn’t have the money to pay Twenty Four Thousand Naira (N24,000.00) for two years rent for our first office space; it was a daunting task, but Allah as always provided a way out. HE gave me the strength, wisdom and courage to persevere and today we have not one, but two purposely built offices in Ilorin and Abuja, with our head office in Ilorin. This is not a testament to my abilities but to Allah’s grace and favour.
From starting with just two junior Associates, our Firm has grown to become a reputable Institution with many lawyers who have passed through our doors. We have been blessed to have had the privilege of nurturing and mentoring some of the brightest minds in the legal profession.
Today, we have Judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria SAN, Doctors of Laws, and Professors of Laws and other successful Practitioners in various areas of our economy and national life that have passed through our office. This is a testament to Allah’s kindness, goodness and grace.
As I flash back on these 30 years, I am reminded of the countless challenges we faced, the obstacles we overcame and the victories we achieved. Through it all. Almighty Allah was our rock, our refuge and our guiding light. HE gave us wisdom to make sound decisions courage to take bold steps, and favour to attract the right people to our Firm. He has been generous with the gift of good health for us.
To my Parents, I thank and appreciate them for teaching me the value of hard work, honesty, integrity and empathy, shaping me into the person I am today. May Allah bless the soul of my late Father and continue to preserve my Mother in her old age
My esteemed Teachers, I appreciate and thank all of them for the invaluable knowledge they imparted to me from the day I began my educational journey in 1960 in my primary school days, my time at Secondary Modem School and culminating in my University education. I also appreciate all those who had ever shared their wisdom and expertise with me regardless of the setting or circumstance.
I also appreciate and thank Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN for believing in me and providing me with the platform to exhibit my God-given professional talents.
I appreciate my Siblings for always believing in me and their enduring camaraderie and Friendship.
To my cherished children, your successes thus far fill me with joy, your limitless potentials fill my heart with pride and gratitude. Thank you for being the driving force behind every endeavor all these years and for making me a proud father and grandfather.
The list of my appreciation will not be complete without thanking my beloved late Wife, Haja Fawziyya Lola Kehinde Ali. May Allah continue to illuminate your grave and grant you eternal rest (Ameen). She named the Chambers Ghalib meaning “Victory”, being her projection and hope for the Chambers. It is indeed a testament to her unwavering belief in victory and hope a legacy that will forever inspire and uplift us.
My dear Friends from Primary School, Secondary Modern School, Secondary School and the University, especially the Members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, without forgetting other groups to which I belong. Old Students Associations, Alumni Associations, Islamic Welfare Foundation, the Prayer Group and others, your unwavering support, steadfast friendship and brotherhood have been a source of strength. Thank you for standing by my side through every challenge and triumph.
I am grateful for the opportunities to serve others and to make some impact in our Country. I am specially grateful to our Clients from the highest to the lowest, who entrusted their lives, businesses, their political future and their relationships to us by consulting and engaging us to do their matters from the lowest to the highest Courts and for allowing us to represent them in other areas of legal works outside of litigation.
In particular, I want to single out the Former Presidents of the our Country, the Current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, Former Governors and Current Governors of our various States; Members of the Legislative Houses both National and State, Traditional Rulers all across the Country, Corporate Bodies, the Nigerian Governors Forum and the States of the Federation; and other individuals too numerous to mention. I thank you all for the privilege of allowing us to serve you with integrity and excellence.
To my Colleagues, Associates (past and present) all other Staffers of Yusuf Ali & Co (past and present) I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your dedication, hard work and commitment to our shared vision. Your contributions have been integral to our successes, as the Yoruba adage goes, “A tree cannot make a forest”. I am grateful for the privilege to have worked and still working with you.
I must acknowledge and thank my numerous Colleagues with whom I have worked either on the same side or as opponents in many cases. The quality of your opposition in the Courts has helped me to strive to improve over the years.
Above all, I am grateful for Allah’s unwavering presence in my life, for HIS guidance, protection, and provisions. HE is my source of strength and my hope in times of uncertainty. I thank Almighty Allah, for seeing me through, from birth to now, especially the last forty-one (41) years as a Lawyer. I acknowledge that it is not because I am better than anyone; but because of HIS grace and favour. I pray that He will continue to guide, direct and illuminate our path as we look to the future with hope and anticipation.
I am pleased to inform this audience that as part of the activities of this 30 anniversary of Ghalib Chambers, we have compiled a compendium of over 450 pages which will be unveiled by the Vice President during the course of this event. I wish to state further that the compendium is not to be sold is the contribution of Ghalib Chambers to the legal and general Community.
In Sha Allah, from next year when the Chambers will be 31 years old we would be instituting an annual National Day discourse to mark the yearly anniversary of the Chambers.
Like Oliver Twist, we will be knocking on your doors for the event from your to year, God willing.
Thank you.
