Though coming almost belatedly, I find it extremely expedient to share
\nwith fellow Nigerians, especially Lagosians what was supposed to be a
\nbirthday tribute to a brilliant personage I admire a lot but which I have
\nnow redirected after I laid my hand on a copy of Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire\u2019s
\nprofile. Though Banire clocked 47 last October when I wasn\u2019t in the
\ncountry, I find it irresistible to share with others my peep into his life
\nwhich reveals a lot in such a short period.
\nAfter almost 26 years in politics, Dr Banire, does still not talk, act or
\nrelate like a conventional politician. Fearlessly outspoken and downright
\nforthright to the discomfort of an average professional politician, he
\nwould fit in perfectly into the “professional-in-politics” cocoon. Maybe
\nbecause he has been a professional all his adult life as a lawyer,
\nteacher, advocate and solicitor and even as a politician.
\nWith a Ph.D in Law, with a thriving legal practice and fulfilling teaching
\nengagements, many may be wondering what “is this fellow looking for among
\nhyena”. It must be his love for the people which saw him, manning two
\ndifferent people-based ministries under the leadership of former Governor
\nBola Ahmed Tinubu and another such ministry under incumbent Governor
\nBabatunde Fashola. About three years after he opted out of public service,
\nhis enduring imprints are everywhere in the Ministries of Environment,
\nTransportation and Special Duties.
\nArguably, no Commissioner affected Lagosians so positively since this
\nrepublic debuted. Every street in Lagos today has a touch of Banire, from
\ntraffic light to well thought-out and laid-out canals, from well-planned
\nenvironmental beautification to the establishment of LASTMA, BRT to
\nstrategically-sited pedestrian bridges, it is little wonder that without
\nhim declaring an ambition to be governor, his name has kept coming up as a
\nfront-runner at every gubernatorial discourse.
\nYou wonder if his choice of areas of specialization as a lawyer is not
\ndeliberate. Everything revolves around people and their needs; Land Law,
\nEquity and Trusts, Secured Credit Transactions, Planning and Compulsory
\nAcquisition.
\nTo back this passion up, he has diverse publications in learned journals
\nand published books as well as teaching experience in the Department of
\nPrivate and Property Law, University of Lagos since 1991.
\nHis academic journey appears deliberately tailored at achieving his
\npassion of service to the people. Starting from his Ph.D (Property Law),
\nUniversity of Lagos, 2005 with Thesis entitled: Evolving Alternative Legal
\nFramework for Land Management in Nigeria, LL.M (Master Of Laws) Degree,
\nUniversity of Lagos, 1990-1991 in Secured Credit Transactions;
\nJurisprudence And Legal Theory; Comparative Criminal Law and Procedure;
\nSentencing And Treatment Of Offenders, B.L. (Barrister -At – Law) The
\nNigeria Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. 1988-1989, L.L.B. (Hons)
\nBachelor of Laws University Of Ilorin (1984-1986) and University Of Lagos,
\nAkoka, Yaba, Lagos (1986-1988). Lower Six (A level) 1983-1984 Federal
\nSchool Of Arts & Science, Victoria Island, Lagos, West African School
\nCertificate (WASC) (1976-1983) 1979-1983 Archbishop Aggey Memorial
\nSecondary School, Mushin, Lagos, General Certificate Of Education (GCE
\nOrdinary Level) 1983 First School Leaving Certificate 1970-1972 Lousa
\nSoares Nursery School, Mushin, Lagos and St. Jude’s Primary School,
\nMushin, Lagos. (1972-1977) the future of service has been long secured.
\nHome-grown all the way and Lagosian through and through, nothing would be
\nhyperbolic in calling Banire “Mr. Lagos” with the requisite international
\nclout. There are certain politicians who make attempts at intellectualism
\nwhich comes out ludicrous, for Banire, intellectualism oozes out of his
\ndeliberate trivial.
\nThought-provoking reasoning has become a second nature, not after numerous
\ninternational and local seminars presenting papers on issues affecting
\nhumanity, with critical acclaim as well as publications that could simply
\nearn him a professorship soon.
\nHere are some conferences attended; International Bar Association
\nConferences 1998-Till Date, Nigerian Law Teachers Association\u2019s Conference
\n1992-Till Date, The 27th Study Session of the International Institute of
\nHuman Rights, Strasbourg, France, July 1996, The Seminars of International
\nCentre for Teaching Human Rights Strasbourg, France, July 1996 and The
\nFirst Ever 3-Month Short Course in International Human Rights Law, The
\nUniversity Of Nottingham, Nottingham, U.K. Running through Banire’s
\npublications are like a journey, confirming the saying that a teacher is a
\nbreathing library.
\nA trial will confirm this assertion; Bibliographical Data, The Nigerian
\nLaw Of Trusts Excel Publications Services, Lagos, February 2002, The Blue
\nBook: Practical Approach To The High Court of Lagos State (Civil
\nProcedure) Rules, 2004, Second Edition, 2012 Third Edition, Muiz Banire
\nPh.D, Ajibola Basiru and Kunle Adegoke & Ecowatch Publications (Nig.)
\nLtd., Lagos, 2008, The Blue book law Report: A Compilation of cases on
\nLagos State Rules of Practice and Procedure. Citation [2008] BLR (Pt. 1)
\nMuiz Banire Ph.D, Ajibola Basiru and Kunle Adegoke. Published by M. A.
\nBanire & Associates, Land Management in Nigeria: Towards a New Legal
\nFramework, Ecowatch Publications, 2005, The Limit Of Consent Provisions:
\nA Review Of Savannah Bank Ltd. V. Ajilo. The Lawyer, Vol. 18, 1988,
\npublished by the Law Society, University of Lagos, p. 18. Customary
\nTenancy and the Land Use Act: A Review, Fundamental Legal Issues in
\nNigeria: Essays in Honour of Justice Andrews Obaseki, published by the
\nNigerian Law Research and Economic Development Projects, 1995. Pp.230 –
\n243, Juxtaposition of the Land Use Act and the Urban & Regional Planning
\nDecree, 1992: A Critique LASU Law Journal. Vol. 1v 1994\/97 Pp. 68-81,
\nCritical Appraisal of the Democratic Principles Enshrined in the
\nManagement of Corporate Real Property under Customary Land Law, Current
\nThemes in Nigerian Law, Published by the Faculty of Law, University of
\nLagos , 1997, (pp. 257-275), Legal Aid in the Administration of Justice in
\nNigeria. Current Themes in Law, published by the Faculty of Law,
\nUniversity of Lagos, pp. 5372, Positive Planning Per Excellence under The
\nNigerian Urban and Regional Planning Decree, 1992, Readings in Planning
\nLaw, published by the Department of Private & Property Law, University of
\nLagos, Pp. 117 – 133, Criminal Justice Administration and the Question of
\nLegal Assistance; The Nigerian Journal of Contemporary Law (N.J.C.L) Vol.
\n18, 1994-1996, (pp. 88-108), Documentation and Perfection of Security in
\nNigeria, Unilag Readings in Law, published by the Faculty of Law,
\nUniversity of Lagos, (pp. 121 -140), The Relevance of the Certificate of
\nOccupancy to Estate Development in Nigeria, Lagos Journal of Environmental
\nStudies, published by Faculty of Environmental Science, pp. 130-140,
\nImpact of the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
\nAgainst Women on the Concept of Advancement which was presented at the
\nUniversity of Nottingham, Law Department Seminar Series, 1997, published
\nin The Judicial Voice, Law & Practice Journal, an organ of the Magistrates
\nAssociation of Nigeria, Ogun State Branch, 1999, p. 28. Arbitration and
\nEnforcement of Securities in Nigeria. Secured Credit in a Global Economy,
\nEdited By I. O. Smith, 2003, a publication of Department of Private and
\nProperty Law. University of Lagos, pp. 248- 266, Trusteeship Concept under
\nthe Land Use Act: Mirage or Reality, The Land Use Act – Twenty Five Years
\nAfter, Edited By I. O. Smith, published by the Department of Private and
\nProperty Law, University of Lagos, pp. 90-115, Overcoming the Difficulties
\nin Registering Caution on a Certificate of Occupancy, The Journal of
\nAfrican Law, Vol. 47, 2 (2003), School of Oriental Studies, University of
\nLondon, Overhauling the Presumption of Advancement in the Law of Trusts
\nand The Journal of Private and Property Law, University of Lagos, 119 \u2013
\n133 Concept and Function of Leases. Others include, Journal of Private and
\nProperty Law, (2003) Vol. 22, JPPL pp. 59 -78, The Social Significance of
\nthe New Lagos State Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises
\nEdict No. 6 of 1997, The Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises
\nEdict (No. 6) 1997, Report of a Workshop, (Prof. Uzodike ed.) Faculty of
\nLaw, University of Lagos, pp. 38 \u2013 60, Towards Effective Control and
\nManagement of Land in Nigeria: A re-evaluation of the Land Use Act,
\n(1978), Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal, Vol. 5, No. 2, Page
\n257, Socio-Legal and Regulatory Issues in Corruption Control in Nigeria,
\nCurrent Perspectives in Law, Justice and Development, in Honour of the
\nHonourable Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore, Ed. Ademola Adedotun and
\nAdemola Popoola, Demm-Dit Projects, 2007, page 239, The Frontloading
\nRequirements under the New High Court Rules and the Effect on Subpoenaed
\nWitnesses: Resolving the Conundrum, Law, Democratic Governance and Justice
\nAdministration in Nigeria \u2013 A Tribute to Honourable Justice Idris Legbo
\nKutigi, GCON, (ed. Bolatito Ajibade, Mrs.), Lifegate Publishing Company
\nLimited, December, 2009, Constitutional Framework for Planning Regulations
\nin Nigerian Federalism: A Review of A.G. Lagos State v. A.G. Federation,
\nContemporary Issues in Nigerian Constitutional Law \u2013 Essays in Honour of
\nProfessor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN (ed. Professor Oyelowo Oyewo) Evans Brothers
\n(Nigeria Publishers) Limited, Ibadan, 2010, The Concept of Licensed
\nDevelopment Under The Law of Lagos State, and Law, Politics & Development:
\nThe Challenge Of An Emerging Mega-City \u2013 Essay in Honour of Babatunde Raji
\nFashola, SAN Published by Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, 2010, pp
\n361-374.
\nThere are also the yet-to-be published Papers read at
\nConferences\/Seminars: Negotiation and Drafting of International Contracts,
\npresented at Potomac Seminar on Negotiation, Drafting and Enforcement of
\nInternational Contracts Sponsored by Centre Point Merchant Bank Ltd.,
\nLagos, 1993, Corporal Punishment under The ICCPR & The U.N. Torture
\nConvention: African & Religious Perspectives, presented to the Law
\nSociety, University of Nottingham, 1997, The Legal Aspects of Trans-border
\nMovements: Implications for Refugees In Commemoration of the World
\nRefugee Day of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, 1996.
\nBoth in academia and politics, Banire has been in service of humanity as;
\nFounder and Principal Associate, M. A. Banire & Associates, Commissioner
\nfor Environment, Lagos State, August 2007 to May, 2011, Commissioner for
\nTransportation, Lagos State, August 2000 to May 2007, Commissioner for
\nSpecial Duties, Lagos State, July 1999-August 2000, Special Adviser on
\nPolitical and Legislative Matters, June 1999, Senior Lecturer, Department
\nof Private and Property Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, 1991 to
\n2010, Principal Partner, Akinbiyi, Banire & Co., Firm of Solicitors
\nlocated on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos (1991-1995), Counsel, Seun Akinbiyi
\n& Co., Lagos (1990-1991), National Youth Service Corps with Legal Aid
\nCouncil, Abeokuta, Chambers Attachment, Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, 1989,
\nAssessor\/Examiner, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
\nand Moderator, Chartered Institute of Insurers.
\nOther positions of responsibilities include; Legal Adviser of the defunct
\nSocial Democratic Party, SDP in Ojo local government, 1990; Returning
\nOfficer,​ Lagos Mainland Local Government, 1998 Gubernatorial\/House
\nof Assembly Elections, Member: ​Ojo Local Government Planning
\nAuthority. He was also the National Legal Adviser of the defunct Action
\nCongress of Nigeria, ACN and today the interim National Legal Adviser of
\nthe mega opposition political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
\nFaculty Examinations Officer:​University of Lagos, Faculty of Law,
\n1993 to 1995, Coordinator of Diploma in Land Administration:​
\nUniversity of Lagos, Faculty of Law, 1993-1994, Business Manager:​
\nJournal of Private and Property Law, University of Lagos, 1991 – 2008,
\nSecretary: ​University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor’s Committee on Bank
\nProject, Member:​Nigerian Universities Network Management Committee,
\nAppointed by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos,
\nMember:​Vice-Chancellor’s Land Verification Task Force (University
\nof Lagos), Member:​University of Lagos Bookshop Management Board,
\nMember: ​Faculty of Law Taylor Lecture Committee, Member:​Car
\nPark Inspectorate Committee, University of Lagos, Member:​University
\nof Lagos Legal Committee, Member:​Faculty of Law, University of
\nLagos Fund Raising Committee and Member:​Editorial Committee
\nNigerian Journal of Contemporary Law.
\nHe is a fellow and member of Professional Bodies which include Registered
\nForeign Lawyer: ​Law Society England, Member: ​Nigerian Bar
\nAssociation, Member: ​International Bar Association, Fellow:​
\nInstitute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, Associate
\nMember:​Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Member:​ Nigerian
\nInstitute of Management and Member:​Institute of Chartered
\nSecretaries and Administrators.
\nBanire has packed so much into an eventful 47 years having been born on
\nOctober 6, 1966 and given his scholarship in academia and glittering
\ncareer at the Bar, the coveted title of Silk may not be far away and his
\nreferees could only be a fitting testament to this; Former NBA President
\n,Chief \u2018Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Mr. Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN and
\nformer ICPC Chairman, member of the National Judicial Council and retired
\njustice of the Supreme Court, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (Rtd). Indeed, only
\nthe deep can call to the deep.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Though coming almost belatedly, I find it extremely expedient to share with fellow Nigerians, especially Lagosians what was supposed to be a birthday tribute to a brilliant personage I admire…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n