The imperative of bold transitions on all levels in our emerging world – technological, social, cultural and political – was in stark emphasis during the opening ceremonies of the 2022 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), holding at the majestic Eko Hotel and Suites, as well as the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.
Welcoming delegates to the event, the Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Ikechukwu Uwanna, urged delegates to make the most of the Conference experience, describing Lagos as the very embodiment of bold transitions in its role as Nigeria’s commercial hub and cultural melting pot.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning for the 2022 Confab, Tobenna Erojikwe, said it spoke to our current realities as a profession and as a nation, and expressed confidence that the outcomes from this year’s event will guide participants as well as institutions in making choices that address those realities in a positive and effective manner.
In his remarks, the outgoing President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata described his tenure as ‘the greatest honour of my life,’ and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that in spite of its challenges (both real and perceived) the NBA has progressed in terms of its rising profile and enhanced fortunes, especially during the last two years, to the point that whatever concerns the Association now attracts the attention of the society as a whole – for which reason, he said, the theme of this year’s Conference, Bold Transitions, as truly inspired. He punctuated his speech with a call for a minute’s silence in honour of Ogaga Emoghwanren, Publicity Secretary of the Warri NBA branch and special adviser to the NBA President, who died on active duty on August 10 in Warri.
NEWSWIRE Law & Events Magazine correspondent at the Conference venue reports that the opening ceremony of the event also featured goodwill messages from the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (who was represented by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN) and the state Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba (who represented the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola). Both men spoke of the need for audacity on the part of the Bar in its multidimensional role as a purveyor of truth, justice and fairness, and the disprortionate impact this role has on the functions of societies all over the world. For his part, Gov. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the leading and pioneering role Lagos State has played over the years in the development and evolution of legal practice in Nigeria and Africa.
The event was declared formally open by the Lagos State Chief Judge on behalf of the CJN.
