Olumide Akpata

Olumide Akpata, the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has spoken about how he survived cancer.

Speaking on Sunday on the occasion of the celebration of his 51st birthday in Benin, Akpata said it is a miracle that he is still alive as he was diagnosed with stage three cancer over 10 years ago.

The former NBA President revealed that he had to undergo multiple surgeries, leading to his being declared cancer-free in the past five years.

Akpata, therefore, stated that the celebration was not only to mark his birthday but also to thank God for his life over the years.

He said, “You may have noticed me dancing around the hall. I am dancing with thanksgiving because I turned 51 years old today. It is a miracle that I am still standing.”

Akpata, who delved into his early life, noted that he lost his mother at the age of 19 when he was taking his final examinations as a law student at the University of Benin.

The Labour Party (LP) stalwart explained that his mother died before the age of 49, noting that if not for God’s blessings and mercies upon his life, his stories would have been different.

He said: “The loss of a mother at that critical stage in one’s life can just turn things around, but God was there, and He has been there in all these 31 years till date.

“I became a lawyer, I started my legal career, I set up a law firm in conjunction with my elder brother and ultimately, I became the President of the NBA.

“So you understand why I am excited, why I am happy, why I am grateful to God, and that is why I have gathered friends and family members here to celebrate with me.”

Speaking further on his aspiration, Akpata said that the Labour Party had received him warmly into the party, adding that the party would win the governorship election come 2024.

Akpata also expressed his determination to emerge as the next governor of Edo State.

Dignitaries present at the occasion included the Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, and the state Commissioner for Information, Chris Nehikhare.

Others are the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Edo State, Oluwole Uzi; the Chairman of the Benin branch of the NBA, Ken Mozia (SAN); Nosa Edo-Osagie, and Yusuf Al-Samad Kadiri (SAN), among others.