Celebrating Dame Priscilla Kuye, The Dame of The Bar – A tribute By Yakubu Chonoko ‘YC” Maikyau, SAN

It is time to mark another Women’s History Month (March 1-31, 2022). The period is a time to reflect on the courage of women in past generations and to celebrate how their efforts and bravery afforded women the opportunities and freedoms they have today. Women’s History Month is therefore dedicated to reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of women to our political and socio-economic development, particularly to the legal profession and the Nigerian Bar Association. The contributions of women must always be celebrated as the “hand that rocks the cradle, is the hand that rules the world”.

As the world marks the, Women’s History Month, 2022, I shall remember and celebrate a few female lawyers who have in many ways provided leadership, dignity, honour and hope to the legal profession. In recognition of the role women have played in nation-building as well as realising the aims and objectives of the Nigerian Bar Association, I celebrate one of such amazons, Dame Priscilla Olabori Kuye, the only female President of the Nigerian Bar Association (1991-1992). She served the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as National Financial Secretary, 3rd Vice President, 2nd Vice President and 1st Vice President, before becoming the first and only female President of the Nigerian Bar Association. She was a trustee for the association from 2004 to 2019. She was knighted by Pope John Paul II in 1981.

Dame Priscilla Kuye was also a former Vice President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce. She was also the President of Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, and the first regional Vice President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers for Africa in Nigeria between 1979 and 1981. She is a life member of the Body of Benchers and was the Chairman, Human Rights Committee of the NBA. In 1993, she was elected Vice President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. She established Priscilla O. Kuye and Company, her law firm in 1970. She was offered a seat at the Court of Appeal in 1992 but she rejected the offer.

During her tenure as NBA President, the NBA Executive and the Bar went en masse to Kuje Prison to ensure the release of the ‘Kuje 5’ – Mr Femi Falana S.A.N, late Dr Baba Omojola, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi S.A.N., Olusegun Mayegun and late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti. The Magistrate Court released the five illegally detained persons. That was victory for the NBA, and the rule of law. She fervently spoke out against disobedience of court orders by the Federal Government during the military era. During her tenure, the Federal Military Government also scuttled NBA meetings using soldiers for many years, all because the NBA was vibrant during the military era.

The executive she led, worked very hard, and upheld the Constitution of the NBA. As President of the NBA, she always spoke up when it was necessary and also issued many releases against disobedience of court orders by the Government, even though it was a Military Government. The NBA under her was truly “the watchdog” of the society. She was persecuted by the Government, and her Passport was seized. The Dame of the Bar as she is fondly called has always been an ardent advocate of women’s rights as well as deepening female participation in the leadership of the Bar.

Her advocacy for more female lawyers to be more involved in Bar leadership was very glaring in the interview she granted Thisday Newspaper on August 18, 2020, where she stated:
“We pray that there will be more female Lawyers who will offer themselves to serve the NBA in the capacity of President and other positions, in the near future. To change the negative narrative of gender discrimination, well qualified and competent female Lawyers need to campaign, maybe, more vigorously for the positions they want. They must continue to solicit for the votes of male Lawyers who are in the majority, as well as securing the support of their fellow women.

It is a hard battle, as men do not want to cede the position of National President to Women. There are criteria for becoming a Senior Advocate. So, female Lawyers must work that much harder to satisfy the criteria, especially because of the responsibilities on the home front. As I said before, male Lawyers out- number female Lawyers. We pray that more female Lawyers who will be legal practitioners and academicians, will emerge in the future.”

She exemplified an NBA, that is a watchdog of the society, which promotes the rule of law and ensures that Nigeria remains a democratic country, and “not a Hobbesian State where things are nasty and brutish”. Kuye was married to the late High Chief Omowale Kuye, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland. They have a son, Ademola, and a daughter, Onikepo, who is a lawyer and journalist currently serving as Editor of Thisday Law.

I celebrate the Dame of the Bar, today and always for her countless and inestimable contribution to Nigeria, the legal profession and NBA. She represents the best of us. She is indeed a rare gift to the legal profession. Happy Celebration!!

YAKUBU CHONOKO ‘YC” MAIKYAU, SAN
Chairman, NBA, Welfare Committee