Emmanuel Bello

Coming at a time of national upheavel, the book launch event of retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Paul Galumje momentarily enhanced national cohesion. All the shades of a fragile country, young and old, Christians and Muslims, partisan politicians, were in attendance at the exquisite Shehu Yaradua Center, Abuja. Speakers not only extolled the virtues of the man of the day but also used the moment for deep reflection on the subject of unity and religious tolerance. In an instant, the celebrant became the very symbol of what can be right about Nigeria.
 According to Kashim Shettima, Justice Galumje, 71, is also a good neighbor. He said, "I returned one day from a journey to find a new mosque built in our neighborhood. And it was Justice Galumje, a Christian elder, that built it!" 

In his homily, Professor Jerry Gana, who represented Chairman of the occasion, General TY Danjuma, exhausted all the positive adjectives in his armoury in describing the Justice. 

It was the gathering of who is who in Nigeria as governors, ministers, senators and many legal luminaries stormed the occasion. Chief Presenter of the books, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State noted that Justice Galumje influence cuts across all cultures and people's of the world. He noted that the retiring Justice is no longer a Taraba state product but a blessing to the entire nation.

The same sentiments was echoed by Chief Host of the event and governor of Taraba state, Arc. Dickson Darius Ishaku who reemphasized the gigantic stature of the celebrant. He noted that the retired justice has often given him counsel at a personal level. 

The Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, and some state governors sent their representatives. Former Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswam noted that although he represented the Senate President, he has a personal relationship with the celebrant who he knew through his friend Senator Emmanuel Bwacha. 

In his vote of thanks, Justice Galumje gave glowing tributes to all those who made the day possible. He said he was shocked at the outpouring of goodwill. He noted that the event has further emboldened him to continue contributing his bits to national development. According to him, retirement has given him enough time to spend with his beautiful wife whom he described as a patient woman who had been on his side for over 40 years. Giving a summary of his towering biography, he noted that God must have had a plan for him when He picked him from Didan in present day Kurmi Local Government to the global stage. In a teary presentation, he reminisced on his sojourn in the legal world, stressing that his career has benefited from the sacrifices of others.