By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has been selected for a Lifetime Achievement Award by Gavel International in recognition of his contributions to human rights and the pursuit of justice.
Agbakoba disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, expressing gratitude to the organisation for the recognition.
The award will be presented at the Ernest Sesei Ikoli Foundation/Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards scheduled for November 17, 2026.
Describing the honour as more than a personal accomplishment, the senior lawyer said it represented a renewed responsibility to sustain his commitment to human rights and the cause of justice.
“I am grateful to Gavel International for recognising my work in human rights and the cause of justice,” he said.
“In accepting the award, I described it as ‘not merely a personal achievement, but as a renewed responsibility to continue supporting the cause of justice and human rights.’”
Agbakoba also used the occasion to offer words of encouragement to younger lawyers, urging them not to measure the value of their professional contributions solely by titles, public visibility or immediate results.
According to him, some of the most consequential work requires patience and perseverance, even when it attracts little recognition or public applause.
He noted that defending principles could sometimes be inconvenient, while progress might appear frustratingly slow, stressing that the willingness to remain committed to necessary causes was what mattered most.
“The key question is whether the work remains necessary and whether you are willing to keep doing it,” he said.
The recognition underscores Agbakoba’s longstanding engagement with human rights and justice advocacy, while his message to younger lawyers highlights the importance of consistency, courage and commitment to principle in the legal profession.
