CHUKWUKA IKWUAZOM, SAN
– A Vision for Transformative Leadership and a Fearless Bar
A Partner since 2011 at the law firm of ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode , one of Africa’s leading full-service law firms, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN heads the firm’s Taxation practice and is a key member of its Dispute Resolution & Tax Department.
A graduate of the University of Nigeria, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law, and of Columbia University in New York, USA where he bagged a master’s degree, also in Law, he boasts considerable tax advisory and adjudicatory experience – as exemplified by the quality of tax advice he renders to his firm’s clients consisting mostly of international oil companies (IOCs) and other multinationals.
Admitted to the practice of law in both Nigeria and the USA, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN was a key member of the team that won a favorable award for his firm’s clients in an arbitration involving several tax disputes arising from the operation and performance of a 1993 PSC executed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and several IOCs.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Ikwuazom’s pedigree in his chosen area of practice, and the high esteem in which his abilities are held by his colleagues in the legal profession in Nigeria, have seen him admitted to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2020. He was elected Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, the largest branch of the NBA. He has served the NBA in different roles at branch and national levels.
As the countdown to the biennial 2024 NBA elections gets underway, Ikwuazom, SAN (who is running to become the next President of the Association) held a wide-ranging discourse with the editors of NEWSWIRE Law & Events Magazine, in which he addressed his motivations for seeking the NBA’s highest office, as well as matters affecting the legal profession, and the state of the Nigerian nation.
Excerpts:
NEWSWIRE: Why do you want to be NBA President? And how are you different from your rivals for this office? What attributes, experience, expertise, etc are you bringing to the table?
IKWUAZOM: I am running for the position of NBA President because I have the right values, competence and vision to lead the NBA at this critical period of our journey.
I have the relevant experience to lead the NBA having chaired its largest branch with distinction, having been a member of the National Executive Committee for more than 5 years and having held high office in one of the most vibrant Sections of the NBA (the NBA-SBL). The transformative policies and practices pioneered my administration at the NBA Lagos Branch have been adopted by other branches and even at the national level.
As a partner in ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode since 2011, I have been a part of the leadership group of one of Nigeria’s most successful law firms for 13 years and learned useful lessons in leadership that I can deploy as President of the NBA. My membership of the New York State Bar has also exposed me to how an association of lawyers can be run effectively and efficiently.
As Chairman of the NBA-SARC, I have demonstrated that I can speak truth to power and that the NBA under me will fulfil its mandate of upholding the rule of law.
All three of us running for President are good. However, I believe that I stand out from the other candidates. First, and I say this with every sense of humility, of the other two candidates, one has never chaired a Section or Forum of the NBA. Although the other candidate has chaired a Branch, he does not have the track record of excellent performance that I have. Secondly, I am the only candidate whose practice intricately straddles both corporate/commercial work and litigation and this puts me in a position to understand and proffer solutions to the challenges faced by both sides of the profession. Thirdly, neither of the other two candidates has the experience (which I have) of being a part of the leadership team of a full-service firm.
My distinguishing attributes, experience, and expertise include:
Leadership experience:
I have been entrusted with very important leadership positions in the legal profession and I am proud to say that I have approached my roles with a deep sense of responsibility and probity, formulated and implemented bold and enduring policies and given a practical expression to my vision for transformative leadership. As Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch between 2017 and 2019, I pioneered transformative policies and practices that redefined leadership at the Branch. Some of these policies and practices include:
Knowledge-sharing sessions: the NBA Lagos Branch under my leadership introduced knowledge-sharing sessions as a permanent feature of our branch meetings, thereby providing an incentive for meeting attendance and significantly increasing attendance from an average of 250 to nearly 1000. This fostered a culture of continuous learning and professional development. This was my solution to the problem of members’ disinterestedness in the affairs of the Branch prior to my becoming Chairman.
Mentorship Programmes: As Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, I introduced individual and group mentorship programmes under which seasoned lawyers shared their experiences with younger members of the Branch. These programmes significantly enhanced professional growth and cohesion within the Branch.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE): In furtherance of my firm belief in capacity building for members of the Branch, my administration reconstituted the CLE Committee and provided the necessary leadership and direction for the Committee to deliver free and regular professional trainings and seminars to members.
Financial Accountability: My administration institutionalized financial accountability and transparency at the Branch by providing detailed, easily understandable, and scrutable monthly financial reports to Branch members.
These extremely successful policies and initiatives set a precedent for ethical and responsible governance in the Branch as they were adopted by my successors and have since become part of the leadership culture of the NBA Lagos Branch and as models for other branches.
My administration also commenced the construction of a befitting Bar Centre for the NBA Lagos Branch and left a significant sum in the project account for my successor to continue with the project.
Currently, I serve as the Chairman of the Building Committee of the NBA Lagos Branch, and in that role, I am working tirelessly with other members of the Committee to ensure completion of the project.
As Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Securities Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), my team and I have consistently advocated for lawyers who have faced various forms of victimization or harassment by security agencies while representing their clients. Our efforts also focus on promoting cooperation between lawyers and security agencies in Nigeria to minimize instances of security agents impeding the rights of lawyers to deliver legal services effectively to their clients.
Advocacy for Efficient Justice Delivery:
I am a staunch advocate for reform of the Nigerian justice system to enhance efficiency and speedy dispensation of justice. I fully support the groundbreaking Administration of Civil Justice Bill, a revolutionary initiative designed to address the inefficiencies and delays in civil justice administration in Nigeria. The Judiciary Committee of the NBA Lagos Branch, chaired by Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, which I set up during my time as Chairman of the Lagos Branch and whose work I was deeply involved in, played a key role in drafting this Bill. This Bill seeks to revolutionize our legal landscape through innovative measures to streamline court processes and eliminate unnecessary delays.
Strategic Vision and Implementation:
I have a strategic vision for the NBA, coupled with a pragmatic approach to implementation. I have a track record of turning ideas into action, ensuring that strategic plans translate into tangible outcomes that benefit our members and the broader community.
Q: You’re a one-time Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch. What lessons did you learn from your tenure, in terms of its challenges and opportunities, that will come in handy in the event that you’re elected NBA President? What will be your key priorities as NBA President – in the short, medium, and long term?
A: During my tenure as Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, I encountered and addressed various challenges, and in the process, learned invaluable lessons in human relations, people management, and policy formulation and implementation. I strongly believe that these lessons will come in handy in the administration of the NBA if I am elected President. Some of the challenges which I successfully confronted and addressed include:
Engagement and Participation: One of the major challenges was the low attendance at Branch meetings which reflected a general apathy towards NBA activities at the Branch. To address this, my administration introduced knowledge-sharing sessions at Branch meetings, which significantly increased member participation. This experience underscored the importance of creating value-driven incentives to foster engagement.
Financial Accountability and Transparency: Prior to my administration, the accounts of the Branch for the entire years were only presented at the Annual General Meeting of the Branch where there would usually not be sufficient time for detailed scrutiny. We took the view that accountability would be better promoted if we provided detailed financial reports monthly at Branch meetings. The financial reports were shared with members of the Branch ahead of each monthly meeting and this allowed members to study the reports and meaningfully engage with the Exco on the reports at the meetings. This practice enhanced transparency, set a new standard for ethical governance within the Branch, built trust among members and encouraged members to give financial support to the Branch whenever the need arose. The lesson here is clear: transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining the integrity of any organization and building trust amongst members.
Capacity-Building: One major challenge which I encountered was the absence of any working system or structure for providing regular, cost-effective professional trainings to members of the Branch. I adopted a multi-faceted approach to this challenge by introducing knowledge sharing sessions at Branch meetings, individual and group mentorship programmes and reconstituting the CLE Committee to provide regular and free professional training to our members. This significantly contributed to the professional growth of our members, highlighting the necessity of continuous professional development to keep members updated with the latest legal trends and practices and equipping them with the right skills to better serve their clients.
Infrastructure Development: When I became Chairman, Branch meetings were held at the foyer of the Lagos State High Court at Igbosere. However, with the exponential increase in meeting attendance in response to the revitalizing effect of the policies of my administration, we realized that the foyer was no longer suitable for Branch meetings. As a short-term solution to this infrastructural challenge, my administration moved the Branch meetings to a much bigger space at the City Hall that conveniently accommodated the increased attendance. And as a long-term solution, my administration initiated the building project for a new Bar Centre and left a significant sum in the building project account for my successors to continue the project.
Key Priorities as NBA President
My key priorities as NBA President will align with the core aims and objectives outlined in Article 3 of the NBA Constitution, focusing on the following areas:
Short-Term Priorities
Capacity Building and Professional Development: I will continue to implement value-driven programmes that meet the diverse needs of our members, including mentorship programmes for our younger colleagues.
Financial Transparency: Building on my experience and success at the Lagos Branch, I will prioritize financial accountability and transparency at the NBA. This will involve regular, detailed financial reports and audits to keep members abreast with the financial state of the Association.
Maintenance of Integrity and Independence of the Bar and Judiciary: Ensuring the Bar and Judiciary remain independent and maintain their integrity is fundamental. I will continue to agitate for judicial independence and the protection of legal professionals from intimidation and harassment.
Medium-Term Priorities
Engagement and Welfare of Members: Establishing schemes to promote the welfare, security, and economic advancement of our members will be crucial. This includes creating specialized programmes for newly qualified lawyers, members with disabilities, and providing support for aged or incapacitated members.
Long-Term Priorities
Justice Sector Reforms: I will, among other things, push for the enactment of the Administration of Civil Justice Bill by all the States and at the Federal level, ensure that we send our best to represent us in institutions such as the NJC and FJSC, institute a nationwide court monitoring system, push for statutory and constitutional reforms to diversify appointments into judicial positions.
Regulation of the Profession: I will deploy the full weight of the office of the NBA president to push for the enactment of the mostly progressive proposals in the Legal
Profession Regulation Bill produced by the Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN-led Committee. I believe that these proposals will go a long way in addressing the serious challenges with the regulation of our profession.
Enhancement of Welfare and Working Conditions of Judicial Officers: Improvement of remuneration, working conditions, and post-service entitlements for judicial officers is indispensable to a well-functioning judiciary and this will be a core focus area for the NBA under my leadership. As watchdogs of society, it is imperative that the NBA leadership prioritizes this cause. By championing the enhancement of the judiciary’s welfare and ensuring the appointment and retention of judges based on integrity, competence, and capacity, the NBA will contribute to a stronger, more resilient justice system.
My leadership will be about continuity and transformation – building on past successes while driving new initiatives that address current and future challenges. By focusing on specific areas such as member engagement, financial transparency, capacity building, judicial independence, and the improvement of justice administration, we can position the NBA as a more cohesive, transparent, and effective organization that truly champions the rule of law and the interests of its members.
Q: The slogan of the NBA is ‘Promoting the Rule of Law?’ Are you satisfied with the way the NBA is carrying out its mandate to the society in this regard so far? If not, what more (or differently) can, or should, the Association be doing?
A: My aspiration to become NBA President is driven by a deep commitment to further enhance the role of the NBA in promoting the rule of law.
Currently, the situation in the country is troubling, with impunity fast gaining acceptance and the rule of law being undermined daily by government agencies and officials. This underscores the need for a fearless Bar – one that stands unwaveringly as the bulwark of the rule of law and the protector of public rights.
The NBA must decisively respond to and seek redress for breaches of the rule of law and the rights of vulnerable and defenceless members of the public. If the NBA fails to act decisively against abuse of power by public office holders and security agencies, public confidence in both the NBA and the entire justice system will be eroded. Under my leadership, the defence of the rule of law and the rights of members of the Bar, the Bench, and the public against such excesses will be a top priority.
I plan to promote the rule of law through fearless advocacy. As Chairman of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee, I have consistently spoken out against the wrongful conduct of security agencies. If elected President, I pledge to continue to speak truth to power without fear or favour, ensuring that the NBA remains a bastion of the rule of law. This involves holding the government accountable and advocating for transparency, equity, and justice in all aspects of governance.
I will also adopt a proactive stance towards public interest litigation to challenge unconstitutional actions and policies. I intend to take public interest litigation seriously as I believe that it will not only serve as a deterrent against future violations, but it will also reaffirm the NBA’s role as the guardian of the rule of law. Other initiatives that I implement to promote the rule of law include:
Promoting access to justice by enhancing the NBA’s legal aid services to provide free legal assistance to indigent victims of human rights violations.
Providing nationwide education and awareness campaigns to the public about their rights and the importance of the rule of law.
Agitating for measures that protect judicial independence, including fair appointments, adequate funding for the judiciary, and protection from political interference.
Collaborating with international legal bodies and human rights organizations to bring international attention to local issues and seek collaborative solutions.
My transformative leadership approach aims not only to resolve pressing challenges within our justice sector but also to cultivate a fearless Bar dedicated to upholding the rule of law and serving the interests of society.
Q: The welfare of lawyers is still a front-burner issue for the Association and its members. What will the NBA do under your watch to enhance lawyers’ welfare?
A: The welfare of legal professionals, particularly young lawyers, is of utmost priority to me. It is my fervent belief that the welfare of legal professionals is intricately connected with their dignity and the level of respect accorded them by members of the public. Hence, as President, I will spearhead a series of meticulously crafted policies aimed at elevating the welfare of legal professionals. To achieve this, I will assume a holistic approach to welfare, covering young lawyers and new wigs as well as lawyers in various sectors.
I will adopt a two-pronged approach to improving the welfare of lawyers: (a) the implementation of the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order, 2023 to ensure adequate remuneration for legal services; and (b) advocacy for fair remuneration and minimum conditions of service for lawyers in paid employment.
I will rigorously pursue the implementation of the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order, 2023 and engage with the recently constituted Remuneration Committees for Branches to monitor compliance with the Remuneration Order and address violations through appropriate disciplinary channels.
Additionally, I will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement the Remuneration Report adopted by the National Executive Council in 2022 which prescribes minimum remuneration standards and conditions of service for lawyers in paid employment. Under my leadership, compliance with the remuneration standards, and basic protections and benefits, such as paid annual leave, health insurance, and pension contributions prescribed by the NBA will become a prerequisite for professional certification processes and privileges in the Association.
To predict future actions, we must examine past performance. As partners and leaders in our respective law firms, the three candidates in this election have had opportunities to implement the spirit of the Remuneration Report in our firms. Any leader who fails to provide a decent wage to his firm’s lawyers lacks the moral authority to enforce such standards as president. Young lawyers know which firm among those of the three candidates running for president offers the most competitive wages and benefits.
To prepare for unforeseen challenges like economic shocks, the NBA under my leadership will also establish a robust welfare scheme to provide vital support to the most vulnerable members of the Association. This scheme will be funded through strategic mechanisms, such as regular deductions from bar practicing fees and other viable income sources. To ensure effectiveness of the scheme, only active members in good standing will be eligible to benefit from the scheme, thereby emphasizing the importance of fulfilling responsibilities to the Association and strengthening our collective dedication to reciprocal assistance and unity.
By implementing these initiatives, I aim to create a conducive environment where every legal professional can thrive. Enhancing the welfare of lawyers is not just about improving their immediate conditions but also about ensuring the long-term dignity and respect of the legal profession in society.
Q: Over the years, there seems to be an unspoken dichotomy between lawyers in litigation and commercial (as well as in-house/government) counsel – with the latter sometimes expressing feelings of marginalization in the scheme of things. What will the NBA under your leadership do to bridge this dichotomy?
A: I acknowledge that the legal profession is marked by profound polarization, evident in divisions between the Bar and the Bench, the Outer Bar and the Inner Bar, Young Lawyers and Senior Lawyers, Litigators/Advocates and Commercial/Transaction Lawyers, Government Lawyers and Private Practitioners, In-House Counsel and Private Practitioners, the Academic Bar and the wider NBA, as well as along ethnic or religious lines within both the Bar and the Bench. On the surface, these divisions may be dismissed as inconsequential, but they are a pernicious plague on the legal profession and hamper the realization of our collective goals. Bridging the dichotomy between different sectors of our profession is essential to creating a unified and resilient Bar. Indeed, my vision for transformative leadership and a fearless Bar cannot be achieved without a unified front. Recognizing and bridging these divisions is essential to revitalizing our profession and the justice sector and here are some of the ways I intend to bridge these divisions:
Promoting Inclusivity and Unity – I am committed to fostering inclusivity and representation for all members, including special interest groups within the legal profession. Special interest groups play a crucial role in advocating for specific needs and concerns within our diverse membership. Acknowledging the unique contributions and challenges faced by these groups is key to creating a more inclusive and dynamic NBA. To achieve this, my administration will establish formal recognition and support mechanisms for special interest groups within the NBA structure to ensure that all members feel valued and heard. I will also ensure fair representation of these groups in NBA decision-making bodies and committees to foster equality and inclusiveness in the decision-making processes of the Association.
Collaborative Engagement: One of my unique selling points is that I am a partner in a full-service firm and my practice straddles both litigation and corporate commercial work. It is therefore easy for me to engage in proactive advocacy and strategic reforms to bridge the gap between litigators and commercial lawyers. This will include creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration among these sectors to foster mutual understanding and respect.
Professional Development Opportunities: Providing equal opportunities for professional development and career advancement is key to bridging the dichotomy. I will prioritize initiatives that offer resources and support for continuous learning, skills development, and career progression for all members, regardless of their areas of practice.
Q: The NBA Women’s Forum concluded its 4th Annual Conference in late March. Proceedings at the Conference underlined the growing impact and influence of females in the profession – and the need to ensure that issues of concern to the female gender are woven into the fabric of the legal profession. How will the NBA under your leadership work to advance the interests of female lawyers?
A: The NBA Women’s Forum’s recent Conference has highlighted the essential roles that female lawyers play in our profession and the importance of addressing their unique needs and concerns. As someone deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and gender equality, I am dedicated to advancing the interests of female lawyers and ensuring that their voices are heard and respected. If entrusted with the presidency of the NBA, I will prioritize initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and creating a supportive environment where women’s contributions are valued and recognized at all levels.
There is a pressing need for comprehensive modifications to address the specific needs of women in the legal profession. This includes enhancing conditions of service to accommodate and empower women fully. My administration will initiate policies that provide flexibility, support for work-life balance, and opportunities for professional growth tailored to the unique needs of female lawyers. I acknowledge the persistence of complaints of sexual harassment within the legal profession. My administration will work closely with relevant NBA sections and committees to devise strategies to combat harassment, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all legal professionals. Under my leadership, the 2021 sexual harassment policy of the NBA will be vigorously enforced, and its provisions will be strictly applied to offenders. It is imperative that all lawyers are familiarized with the contents of the policy to ensure accountability and deterrence. I will implement mechanisms to protect female colleagues within the Bar who bravely come forward to report instances of harassment, encouraging confidential reporting channels to support victims discreetly.
The NBA must protect victims of sexual harassment and ensure swift and decisive action against offenders. My administration will encourage a culture of naming and shaming perpetrators, fostering an environment where unacceptable behaviour is met with unwavering condemnation and punishment. By collaborating with the NBA Women’s Forum and other stakeholders, we will define clear boundaries of acceptable conduct, streamline reporting mechanisms, and provide robust support to victims.
By taking these comprehensive steps, the NBA under my leadership will advance the interests of female lawyers, and create an atmosphere where every individual, regardless of gender, is treated with dignity and respect.
Q: What about young lawyers? How would you address their concerns – and their quest for a greater role in the decision-making process at the level of the NBA?
A: Addressing the concerns of young lawyers and ensuring their active participation in the decision-making processes of the NBA is a priority for me. The future of our profession hinges on the growth, empowerment, and involvement of young legal practitioners. Here’s how I plan to champion their interests and provide them with greater roles within the NBA:
Robust Mentoring Programmes: Mentorship will play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of legal professionals. My administration will work to establish robust mentorship programmes that pair young lawyers with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights into the legal profession. Based on the successes of the NBA Lagos Branch under my leadership, I am confident that we can achieve even greater results at the national level.
Training and Capacity Building Programmes: Capacity building through continuous legal education is vital to equip young lawyers with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers. I will initiate and implement programmes that will focus on both the technical and soft skills necessary for professional growth, ensuring that our young lawyers are well-prepared for the challenges of the legal profession.
Networking Events, Educational Workshops, and Career Fairs: Creating ample opportunities for self-development and professional advancement among young lawyers is a cornerstone of my vision. My administration will organize networking events, educational workshops, and career fairs for young lawyers. These platforms will facilitate connections, knowledge exchange, and career progression, and foster a supportive and vibrant legal community.
Cross-Border Internships and Secondment Opportunities: Recognizing the importance of global exposure, I will collaborate with the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) to provide cross-border internship and secondment opportunities for young lawyers. By working with foreign law firms, we can offer young lawyers valuable international experience to broaden their perspectives and enhance their professional competencies.
Inclusion in NBA Decision-Making Processes: To address the quest of young lawyers for a greater role in the decision-making process of the Association, my administration will ensure their voices are heard and their perspectives considered. We will appoint young lawyers into committees and other decision-making bodies in the Association and foster a culture of inclusivity and shared leadership.
Q: You’re a Partner at Aluko & Oyebode, one of Nigeria’s foremost commercial law firms. What unique attributes of your firm – in terms of its business model, work culture and other internal and external mechanisms – would you love to see replicated in other law firms and in the workings of the NBA itself?
A: At ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode, we offer multi-national companies, local entrepreneurs, and pro bono clients the same level of world class legal services delivered with the highest ethical standards. As one of the largest full-service commercial law firms in Nigeria, we strive for excellence in everything we do. Clients come to us for our deep knowledge of Nigerian law as well as our breadth of international expertise – and an understanding of our clients’ industries that can only be borne of direct experience.
Maintaining excellence and consistency requires a motivated workforce and we prioritise our employees as our most valuable assets. We have institutionalized a system that provides a clear path to career growth within the firm. We also provide our employees with the full complement of employee benefits as prescribed by relevant statutes and offer one of the best remuneration packages in the industry to our lawyers. We also provide a safe and conducive work environment with zero tolerance for bullying and harassment. These are some of the models and practices I would encourage other law firms to adopt should I become the President of the NBA. I will also implement some of the policies that have been instrumental to the success of ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode in the NBA if elected President.
Q: A number of past NBA Presidents (notably the late Alao Aka-Bashorun, SAN) were very radical, even combative, in using the instrumentality of the law, and the platform of the NBA, to advocate for the protection of human and civil rights in Nigeria (especially when those rights are seen to be infringed by the authorities). Others, have, however, been more circumspect and measured in their approach in this regard, to the point of being seen as docile. What would YOUR approach be as NBA President, and why?
A: As NBA President, my approach would be both decisive and fearless in defending the rule of law and protecting human and civil rights. The current state of impunity and daily undermining of the rule of law by security agencies and public office holders in Nigeria calls for a resolute and fearless NBA. As the bulwark of the rule of law, the NBA must decisively respond to and seek redress for breaches of the law and the rights of vulnerable and defenceless members of the public. Failure to address abuse of power by public office holders and security agencies would erode public confidence not only in the NBA but also in the entire justice system. Under my leadership, the NBA will prioritize the defence of the rule of law and the protection of the rights of members of the Bar, the Bench, and the public. In my role as Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee, I have consistently spoken out against wrongful conducts of security agencies. This experience has reinforced my commitment. I aim to continue speaking truth to power without fear or favour. My leadership will restore the NBA to its rightful place as a bastion of the rule of law. I will ensure that the NBA remains a vocal and effective defender of justice, standing firm against oppression or abuse of power.
In summary, my approach as NBA President will be characterized by a fearless commitment to the rule of law, decisive action against abuse of power, and an unwavering dedication to advocating for the rights and justice of all Nigerians.
Q: A number of past NBA Presidents have gone on to become elected political officeholders (such as the recently-deceased Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State). As we speak, two former NBA-SBL Chairmen (one of whom is the immediate past NBA President) are vying for the Governorship of Edo State. Do you see a political future for yourself at the end of your prospective tenure as leader of the Bar? In other words, do you see the NBA Presidency as a stepping-stone to political office?
A: I do not see the NBA as a stepping-stone to political office, and I like to take one task at a time and focus on it so I can give my best. So, for now, I am only interested in becoming the President of the NBA to implement my agenda of transformative leadership.
Q: If there’s one thing you’d want to be remembered for as NBA President, what would that be?
A: I would want to be remembered as a transformative leader. As the Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, I pioneered transformative policies and practices that redefined leadership at the Branch and became a reference point for other branches. Many years after I left office as Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, many members of the Branch still remember my administration with great fondness, I aim to do even better as NBA President, such that in years to come, my work and impact will continue to be a positive reference point in the history of the Association.
NEWSWIRE: Thanks for your time, learned silk.
IKWUAZOM: I’m grateful for the opportunity.
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