The Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commenced in earnest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with lawyers from across the country gathering for a week of professional engagement, networking and knowledge sharing.

Activities officially got underway with an early morning walking exercise, during which participants covered approximately 10 kilometres. The exercise provided an opportunity for lawyers to promote physical fitness while also reconnecting with friends, colleagues and professional associates they had not seen for several years.

The atmosphere was lively and camaraderie, with participants expressing excitement about the conference and the opportunities it presents for professional interaction and fellowship.

Among those actively participating in the conference is Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, who is present at the annual gathering and engaging with fellow members of the legal profession.

With the conference now in full swing, participants are looking forward to an engaging and memorable experience in Port Harcourt, featuring professional discussions, networking opportunities and other activities designed to strengthen the Nigerian legal profession.

Former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, joined a gathering of prominent Nigerian leaders, clergymen, and well-wishers to pay their final respects to Chief Ezinne Christiana Opara, JP, mother of Prof. John Kennedy Opara, pioneer Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).

The funeral service, held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Umuopara Obetiti, Nguru Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, celebrated the life of the matriarch, who passed away at the age of 83.

Ihedioha extended his heartfelt condolences to Prof. Opara, the entire Opara family, and all who mourn her passing, noting that her legacy of service, faith, and exemplary character remains an enduring inspiration.

The solemn event drew a high-powered delegation of political figures, traditional rulers, and church leaders from across the country, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Baysela State Governor, Sen Douye Diri; former Anambra State Governor and 2027 NDC presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON; and Imo State Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru.

Others included Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, represented by his deputy, Princess Patricia Obila; former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; and former Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, among others.

Numerous religious leaders also graced the funeral with their presence, including Archbishop +Ignatius Kaigama of the Abuja Ecclesiastical Province; Bishop +Simeon Okezuo Nwobi of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara (Mbaise); Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican communion, Most Rev Henry Ndukaku; Bishop +Chamberlain Ogunedo of the Mbaise Anglican Diocese; and Apostle Joshua Selman.

Traditional rulers in attendance included the former Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Chairman of Imo State Elders Council, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya; HRH Eze Reginald Amadi; and several other royal fathers.

The funeral service concluded with prayers for the Opara family as dignitaries paid their final respects to Chief Ezinne Christiana Opara before her interment.

Today, July 21, 2026, history is being made in the life of one of Nigeria’s foremost legal practitioners, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, as he is formally awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Law by Babcock University.

For many who know him, it may appear to be just another academic ceremony. But for Dr. Ubani, it represents the culmination of a lifelong dream, decades of perseverance, countless sacrifices, and an unwavering faith in God.
His story is one of destiny triumphing over circumstance; of a village boy whose father wanted him to become a mechanic, but who, through hard work, resilience, determination, and divine providence, rose to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and now a Doctor of Philosophy in Law.

Dr. Ubani’s academic journey began in the late 1970s at Awomukwu Primary School in present-day Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
Even as a young pupil, he distinguished himself academically. At the completion of his primary education, he and a fellow pupil, Moses Ndulewe from Amapu in Awomukwu, were the only two students who obtained credit passes in the First School Leaving Certificate Examination conducted by the then Imo State Government before the creation of Abia State.

His exceptional performance caught the attention of his Headmaster, Mr. Ahia from Oboro, Ikwuano who immediately recognized the rare intellectual promise in the young boy.
The Headmaster’s verdict was both clear and prophetic: this boy must never be denied education because he possesses immense potential for greatness.
Those words would later prove pivotal in shaping the course of his life.

Following his outstanding performance in the Common Entrance Examination, young Ubani gained admission into Ariam Secondary School. However, his father had a different vision for him.
Like many parents of that era who valued practical vocational skills and guaranteed employment, his father wanted him to become a company-trained mechanic under Dunlop Nigeria Limited. It was a respectable profession and one that promised stability.
But destiny had other plans.
The individual entrusted with bringing his First School Leaving Certificate from the village, a vital requirement for his resumption as a Trainee Mechanic at Dunlop Nigeria Limited, Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos encountered a major setback. His bus broke down at Ore, Ondo State, preventing him from arriving in Lagos on Sunday as planned.

Consequently, young Ubani could not present the required certificate on Monday and lost the opportunity altogether.

What appeared to be a disappointment at the time would later prove to be divine redirection.
At that critical moment, his uncle, Mr. Reuben Agwu, intervened. He reminded his father of the prophetic counsel earlier given by Headmaster Ahia, that the young Ubani should never be denied formal education because of his exceptional intellectual potential.
Wisdom prevailed.

The dream of becoming a mechanic was abandoned, and the path to higher education was preserved.
Looking back today, that intervention altered the course of history for the young man who would eventually become one of Nigeria’s most accomplished legal minds.

Dr. Ubani successfully completed his secondary education, obtained his GCE, and gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1983 to study Political Science.
He excelled in his studies and successfully completed his first two years in the department.
Then destiny intervened once again.
As he prepared to enter his third year, he became increasingly fascinated by the legal profession and deeply inspired by the legendary legal icon and human rights advocate, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, whom he regarded as the embodiment of courage, advocacy, and public interest litigation in Nigeria.
Inspired by the exploits of the late legal luminary, he made a bold and risky decision.
He abandoned Political Science and crossed over to study Law.

The decision came at a significant cost. He forfeited two years already spent in Political Science and had to begin afresh as a first-year law student in 1985.
Many would have considered such a move too costly.
But for Ubani, purpose mattered more than convenience.
That sacrifice would define the rest of his life.

His decision proved worthwhile.
After years of rigorous legal studies, he graduated from the University of Nigeria in 1989 with a Second Class Upper Division degree.
He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School where he once again distinguished himself academically. In 1990, he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division, becoming the only graduate from the University of Nigeria’s 1989 Law Class to attain that distinction in the 1990 Nigerian Law School set.

Following the completion of his National Youth Service Corps programme in Kano State, his passion for scholarship led him to the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Comparative Constitutional Law.
By every measure, the future appeared set for an immediate pursuit of a doctoral degree.
However, friends advised against undertaking all his academic studies within Nigeria. Uncertainty set in, and amid that uncertainty, life intervened.
Marriage came. Children followed. Family responsibilities multiplied.
As a young lawyer striving to establish himself professionally while providing for his family, pursuing a PhD became increasingly difficult.
Yet the dream never died.

Over the years, his legal practice flourished. His public profile grew. He became a respected voice on constitutional, legal, and public affairs.
Eventually, he attained the highly coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), one of the highest honours in the legal profession.
Even before attaining the rank of SAN, two institutions had already recognized his immense contributions to society and honoured him with honorary doctorate degrees.
Yet something remained unfinished.
The desire to earn a research-based doctoral degree through rigorous academic scholarship never left him.

In December 2021, determined to fulfil that lifelong ambition, he enrolled in the PhD in Law programme at Babcock University.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck almost immediately.
In January 2022, his beloved father passed away at the remarkable age of 101 years.
As the only surviving son and child, Dr. Ubani bore the enormous responsibility of organizing and conducting the burial ceremonies.
Faced with this responsibility, he temporarily withdrew from his doctoral programme to honour his late father appropriately.

The burial took place in April 2022.
Thereafter, returning to academic life proved difficult. The emotional burden of bereavement, combined with professional obligations and family responsibilities, made continuation increasingly challenging.
At this crucial moment, divine help arrived through dedicated academics who believed in him.
Professor Mrs. Titilayo Owolabi, Professor Dorcas Odunaike, and Dr. Ibe Moses consistently encouraged him not to abandon his studies. They called, persuaded, motivated, and inspired him to return and complete what he had started.
Their encouragement rekindled his determination.
He returned to Babcock University and embarked upon the final phase of a journey that had begun decades earlier.

Balancing legal practice, public service, church responsibilities, family commitments, and doctoral research was no easy task.
But he persevered.

Even at the critical stage of completing his doctoral programme, another profound personal loss occurred.
In 2025, his beloved mother passed away at the age of 90, just as he was preparing to devote himself fully to writing and completing his thesis.
The loss represented a significant emotional setback at a decisive moment in his academic journey.
Yet, through divine grace and remarkable resilience, he refused to surrender to despair.

Following the rigorous burial ceremonies in December 2025, he refocused and confronted the final phase of his doctoral work with renewed strength, discipline, and determination.

Today, that journey has reached its glorious conclusion.
After years of rigorous academic work, extensive research, determination, resilience, and God’s abundant grace, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani has successfully completed all requirements for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Law.

The convocation ceremony of July 21, 2026, marks the climax of a dream delayed but never abandoned.
It is a fitting academic crown upon an already distinguished professional career and a powerful testament to the truth that persistence ultimately triumphs.

For his wife, children, relatives, friends, mentors, colleagues, and associates, this occasion is one of profound gratitude to God.
They celebrate not merely a degree, but a life defined by courage, discipline, sacrifice, hard work, faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The journey from Awomukwu Primary School to the pinnacle of legal scholarship stands as proof that dreams are valid, setbacks are temporary, and destiny favours those who refuse to give up.

As he walks across the convocation stage to receive his PhD, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, PhD, will not simply be receiving an academic award.
He will be completing a journey that began many decades ago in a small village classroom, a journey shaped by destiny, sustained by resilience, strengthened by faith, and crowned by the grace of Almighty God.

Indeed, for Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, PhD, this is truly Mission Accomplished.
To God alone be all the glory.