The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Abia State counterpart, Mr. Alex Otti are eagerly expected today at the Opening Ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference.
The conference holds at CITADEL Events Centre, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos from June 20 to June 23, 2023 with the theme, “Post-election Nigeria: The judiciary in the eye of the storm.” The 4-day programme got off to a sumptuous start yesterday with a well-attended Welcome Cocktails hosted by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.
Among the dignitaries that attended the event were NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN who led the NBA Executive Committee members. Justice Alogba led a high-powered contingent of the Lagos State Judiciary to the cocktails.
Also in attendance were former Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro SAN, Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi SAN, former NBA Treasurer and member of the General Council of the Bar (GCB) Mercy Ijato Agada, many senior lawyers, and conferees from all parts of the country. Done in the exquisite ambience of a well-kitted and airconditioned marque, the cocktails had more than enough for all to eat and drink, even as the disc jockey dished out vintage music.
The Annual Conference will formally kick off today with the Opening Ceremony holding at the palatial CITADEL Centre. Both Governors Sanwo-Olu and Otti have confirmed attendance at the Opening Ceremony, even as fiery human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana SAN will deliver the Keynote Address.
Among the speakers who have also confirmed attendance are former NBA President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN; Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, and Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN. Aside from Agbakoba and Maikyau, other past presidents billed to attend the conference are Mr. Austin Alegeh SAN and Mr. Olumide Akpata.Other speakers include Justice Amina Augie of the Supreme Court, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN, retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo, Prof. Pat Utomi, Chief Festus Okoye (INEC), Mr. Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN (TCCP), Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe (NBA-ICLE) and Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN (NBA-SARC).
Also confirmed as speakers are former NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN; Mrs. Boma Ozobia-Alabi SAN; Dr. Sam Amadi; Mr. Worgu Boms (former Rivers State Attorney-General); Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN (NHRC); AIG Olufimihan Adeoye; Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri and Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins (former NBA First Vice President).Equally expected at the conference are Justice Alogba, Justice Kate Abiri (former Chief Judge of Bayelsa State), Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba (Solicitor General of the Federation & Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice), and Dr. Kole Shettima (Director of African Operations, MacArthur Foundation).
Aside from the Keynote Session, other sub-themes to be dissected at the conference are the Role of the Judiciary in the promotion of accountable and transparent resolution of election disputes; Public interest protection and the place of ethical values in the temple of justice; The 2023 Nigerian elections and lessons from the field: will the judiciary save the day? Regaining the Trust in the Nigerian Judiciary Through the 2023 Election Cases – What Needs to Be Done? and Roundtable Discussion on Administration of Justice; Effective Implementation of Section 12 (4-12) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019.
Curtains will be drawn on the Annual Conference with the election of a new Executive Committee at the Biennial General Meeting of the Section to take over from fiery human rights activist, Dr. Monday Ubani who many view as having taken NBA-SPIDEL to new heights. Aside from exhibition, cocktails, health walk and a Variety Night at the popular Cubana Hut and Grill in GRA, Ikeja, the Annual Conference Dinner is yet another eagerly awaited event on the sidelines of the conference.
While NBA-SPIDEL Council Member, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke is the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, former NBA Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Okey Ohagba is the Chairman of the 2023 Annual Conference Planning Committee.To register, click on www.nbaspidel.ng/conference.
