Olumide Akpata: Late Alhaji Aliyu Umar, SAN was an Icon and a Father Figure to many Lawyers
Senior Partner at Templars and immediate past Chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law, Olumide Akpata, has expressed sadness over the demise of Alhaji Aliyu Umar SAN. In a statement issued this morning, Mr Akpata said “I am deeply pained by the demise of the very revered Alhaji Aliyu Umar, SAN, whose passing to eternity I learnt about this morning.”
He went ahead to note the extensive contributions of the late Silk to the legal profession and the country at large. He continued “The Learned Silk was an astute lawyer, who was very well respected across Northern Nigeria and indeed the entire country. He was a trailblazer, a father figure and a mentor to many Lawyers – both senior and junior, all of whom continue to hold him in high esteem.
He was also a remarkable Administrator and public servant. His giant strides during his time in Public Service as Director of Public Prosecution and as Attorney-General of Kano State are still remembered fondly by many today. Indeed, when this morning, I called the current Attorney-General of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Mukhtar, to commiserate with him, he eulogized his very distinguished predecessor recalling his many achievements.
I also called the Chairmen of the Kano and Ungogo Branches of the NBA, Abdul Fagge, Esq and Sheikh Mujibu Rahaman both of whom were full of praise and appreciation for this Doyen of the Kano Bar. The late Silk’s impact runs far and wide as he is also remembered and lauded by the Jigawa Bar for his numerous contributions to it.”
Mr. Akpata mused on how the late Silk would be missed by his peers and juniors. “Alhaji Aliyu Umar, SAN will surely be missed for his indelible contributions to the legal profession, his wisdom, his guidance, his good works and acts of service. We must however accept the reality of his death as we cannot change that reality.”
While praying for eternal rest for the late Silk, Mr Akpata extended his sympathies to the families and loved ones of the deceased and prayed for comfort for them. He said “I express my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Alhaji Aliyu Umar, SAN, especially the Lawyers in Kano State where he lived and practised.
I pray that the Almighty God will comfort and give his family, friends, and all of us, his colleagues, the fortitude to bear this loss.
May he continue to rest in peace in the bosom of the Almighty God.
With sincere sympathy,
OLUMIDE AKPATA“
