By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, popularly known as the Eagle Bar, has conferred an Award of Excellence on the Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, Esq., in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the legal profession and his leadership in promoting fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in public finance through the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.
The award ceremony, which took place at the headquarters of the Commission in Asokoro, Abuja, drew senior management staff of the Commission and a nine-member delegation of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch led by its Chairman, Barr. Owhor Clever.
In an official statement issued by Bede Ogueri Anyanwu, Deputy Director, Strategic Communications at FRC, Barr. Clever hailed Muruako as an exemplary public servant whose professional integrity, legal acumen, and dedication to good governance have left an indelible mark on the nation’s legal and public finance landscape.
“We are here to celebrate an exemplary public servant whose extraordinary professionalism and achievements in law and governance are legendary. We are proud to be associated with such a visionary leader,” Barr. Clever said while presenting the award.
He praised Muruako for transforming the FRC into a credible institution championing transparency and fiscal responsibility, and offered prayers for continued wisdom and strength in his ongoing leadership journey.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the NBA Gwagwalada Branch to brief the FRC Chairman on its upcoming programmes for January 2026, including its Law Week focused on equipping young lawyers with skills in legal professionalism, and a Chief Judge Forum intended to foster high-level dialogue among stakeholders in the legal and judicial sectors.
The Secretary of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Barr. John Adawakum Clement, also took the floor to commend the Commission’s recent NYSC Sensitization Programme, which seeks to educate fresh graduates on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and the basics of economic governance. He expressed the association’s desire to collaborate with the FRC by engaging seasoned resource persons in their planned training programmes.
In his response, Victor Muruako, Esq., expressed heartfelt appreciation to the NBA Gwagwalada Branch for the recognition and warmly congratulated the newly elected branch leadership. He described the legal profession as noble and one that carries enormous responsibility, calling on lawyers to consistently uphold ethics, integrity, and societal trust.
Reaffirming the mandate of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Muruako emphasized that the Commission remains committed to promoting fiscal prudence, accountability, and transparency in the management of public resources, in line with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
He drew attention to Section 51 of the Act, which empowers all Nigerian citizens to demand accountability in governance, regardless of personal stake, and encouraged lawyers to play a more proactive role in promoting transparency.
“As lawyers, you are well-positioned to uphold good governance. You can go to court, engage in advocacy, or even establish NGOs that promote fiscal responsibility and responsible public finance. The tools are in your hands to ensure value for public money,” he said.
The engagement ended on a note of mutual commitment to deeper collaboration between the Commission and the Nigerian Bar Association in advancing legal education, institutional reforms, and the broader national development agenda through enhanced transparency and civic responsibility.
