As the Nigerian nation ponders on its direction in the wake of the inauguration of a new administration, especially in regard to issues of economic growth and development, security and the administration of justice, the 63rd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the first since the inception of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, opened at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
NEWSWIRE Law and Events Magazine correspondent in Abuja reports that the event, held under the theme, ‘GETTING IT RIGHT: Charting a Course for Nigeria’s Nation-Building,’ is being attended by about 17,000 legal practitioners from across the length and breadth of the country, as well as accomplished professionals from all walks, the business community, the media and the general community.
This year’s NBA-AGC opener was graced by a huge complement of distinguished personalities including a high-powered government delegation led by President Tinubu and comprising the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh; Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Bello Goronyo; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s media adviser.
They were joined by the designated Keynote Speaker, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings. Former NBA Presidents O. C. J. Okocha, SAN, Augustine Alegeh, SAN, and Olumide Akpata were also in attendance, with the pioneer Chairman of the NBA’s Section on Business Law, George Etomi; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Bayo Ojo, SAN; immediate past Attorney-General of Ekiti State Wale Fapohunda( Former AG of Ekiti State); and current Delta State Attorney -General, Isaiah Bozimo. The distinguished legal power couple, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN (currently vice-chairman of the Body of Benchers) and his wife, Mrs Victoria Awolowo, SAN, were also present at the event.
In his welcome address, The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu C. Maikyau SAN, called for the need to ensure economic growth on all levels of human endeavors especially in the areas of security and the administration of justice, noting that there cannot be meaningful economic growth in the midst of insecurity. He also harped on the need to foster robust reforms in the administration of justice, which he believed will, in turn, foster prosperity and growth in the country.
He expressed the confidence of the NBA in the ability of the Tinubu-led administration to deliver good governance to Nigerians because of the President’s pedigree and past track record of excellent performance as Lagos State Governor between 1999-2007. “President Tinubu got it right in Lagos“, Maikyau asserted, ‘ and it is our considered expectation that as President of Nigeria, he will not only replicate his achievements in Lagos, but surpass them for our country.”
On the Conference theme, the Bar President said the NBA was making this bold statement because of the pride of place the NBA occupies as the largest Bar in Africa.
He spoke at length on Nigeria’s current realities as a nation, and expressed confidence that the outcomes from this year’s Conference will guide participants as well as institutions in making choices that address those realities in a positive and effective manner.
Also speaking, AGF Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, captured his current mandate as covering three basic areas, namely, Practice, Operation and Responsibility, and stressed the willingness of his ministry to collaborate with the NBA in delivering on said mandate to the nation, noting that his success would be the success of the NBA in general. He expressed his satisfaction with the leadership of NBA and the theme of this year’s Conference, which he said was truly inspiring.
The opening ceremony also featured goodwill messages, most notably from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho (who was represented by Hon. Justice Gladys). The eminent jurist spoke on the need for pragmatism and audacity on the part of the Bar in the performance of its multi-dimensional roles in the justice sector.
