The NBAWF Annual General Conference, whose theme is ‘Beyond the Balance Sheet: Redefining Success for Women in Law’ is scheduled to commence in earnest on Friday, March 22, 2024 at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos. The opening ceremonies will be preceded by a pre-Conference cocktail on the evening of Thursday, March 21, 2024.
According to NEWSWIRE Law and Events Magazine correspondent in Lagos, the opening formalities will begin with a Conference Overview and Opening Remarks by the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Mrs. Folashade Alli, SAN.
Alli’s remarks will be followed by an address of welcome by the Chairperson of the NBAWF, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha , as well as special remarks by Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The opening ceremonies will also feature goodwill messages by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu ; Her Excellency, Barrister Chioma Deborah Uzodimma , First Lady of Imo State; Amina Suzana Agbaje, who currently serves as the Nigerian Country Vice President, as well as the National President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); and Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, President of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA).
One of the highlights of the opening ceremonies will be the highly-anticipated Keynote Address, to be delivered by Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peter’s, Founder of BAP Productions and the foremost creative institution, Terra Kulture.
Afterwards, the NBAWF Chairperson, Mrs. Okorocha will engage the keynote speaker at a Fireside Chat, which will double as a Q&A session.
The business end of the day will begin with the first plenary session, which will explore the following topic: Enabling a Supportive Professional Ecosystem for Female Lawyers . Speakers at this session will attempt to navigate the realities of career growth for women in the legal profession, as they discuss leadership strategies, mentorship, and fostering a supportive professional environment that protects women.
The session will feature interactive polls to identify common barriers to career growth for women and recommended interventions. The session, which will be moderated by Adeola Olumeyan, (General Counsel and company secretary at Channels Television), will feature the following panelists: Mr. Seni Adio SAN (Managing Partner at Copley Partners); Mobola Tejuoso, (Partner at AO2 Law); Ozofu ‘Latunde Ogiemudia (Partner at Udo Udoma & Bello-Osagie); and Imke Boerner , an attorney and a member of German Bar.
After a short tea break, attendees will be treated to a spell of entertainment and a recitation by the poet and spoken-word artist, Tawakalt Oseni .
The second plenary session of the day, whose topic is ‘Growing Your Business: What to Know About People and Financial Management ‘, will seek to enlighten the audience on essential aspects of business management which will ultimately lead to overall success and growth. To be moderated by Soibi Ovia, a Partner at the law firm of Duale, Ovia, & Alex-Adedipe, the session will comprise Kofo Dosekun (Chairman, Aluko and Oyebode); Mr. George Etomi (Principal Managing Partner at George Etomi and Partners); Oluwatosin Olaseinde (Founder and CEO at Money Africa); and Bimpe Gisanrin (Unit Head for Women Banking at Access Bank).
Plenary session 3 will see panelists examine the topic ‘The Role of Technology in Advancing Gender Equity’, which will examine the intersection between technology, innovation, and inclusion. Panelists will focus on how technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create new opportunities for women and bridge gender gaps in the legal profession. Mrs. Irene Ini Pepple, who is the Head of Practice at Peacemakers Legal Consultancy, as well as the national secretary of the NBAWF, will moderate this session, which will feature the participation of the cerebral Rotimi Ogunyemi (partner at Johnson & Wilner BOC LEGAL); as well as Ifeoma Ben (Partner at The Law Suite) Ope Olugasa (Managing Director, Lawpavilion); and a yet-to-be named fourth panelist.
After a one-hour lunch break, conferees will return to the nitty-gritty at the fourth plenary session, which will discuss the topic:
Elegance, Etiquette and Panache – Mastering Personal Branding for Female Lawyers . The objective of this discourse is to help attendees build and elevate their professional presence in areas such as refined dressing, polished manners, and the art of carrying oneself with confidence. In a refreshing twist, the session is expected to feature a raffle draw with clothing items and accessories as prizes on offer. With Adefowoke Ayo-Ponle (Lead Counsel at Firstrose Solicitors) as the moderator, the panel will comprise the likes of Aisha Rimin (CEO at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission); Mrs. Funmi Roberts (Principal Partner at Funmi Roberts & Co.); Isaiah Bozimo ,SAN (Partner at Broderick Bozimo & Company); and Emily Wale-Koya (Founder & CEO at the School of Personal Branding).
The intellectual heavy lifting will be punctuated by another spell of entertainment, this time in the form of a stand-up performance by KieKie and Amara Okpara.
It will be followed by the fifth plenary session of the day, in which panelists will discuss an all-important topic, namely: Health, Wealth and Everything In Between – A Blueprint for Success. To be moderated by Prof. Foluke Dada (Dean of Caleb University’s College of Law), the session is expected to broaden the debate around equal opportunities for women in the workplace by addressing key components of women’s well-being and their effect on career progression. Panelists will include Fatima Muhammed (Chief Evolution Officer at the Leadership Evolution Nest, and a qualified leadership and transition coach);
Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, OFR, SAN (Senior Partner, Kenna Partners); Beatrice Eyong (the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria); Dr. Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri (a mental health advocate, psychiatrist and psychotherapist); and Mrs. Uwa Ohiku, (Senior Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu)
The sixth and final plenary session of the day, which will be moderated by Grace Adikema-Ajaegbo, the Assistant Director at the Rivers State House of Assembly, will discuss the topic, ‘Defining Success for Female Lawyers – Navigating the Path to Career Success.’ This session will reflect on the various legal careers for female lawyers on the Bench at the Bar, as well as in house counsel, the academia and the public sector. Panelists will address pivotal aspects such as professional development, gender dynamics and broader societal issues surrounding women in the profession.
The Hon. Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the High Court of Lagos State will be on the panel, as will the immediate past chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN (who is a Professor of Law at the University of Ibadan). The panel will also include Bidemi Ademola (Legal Director and Company Secretary at Guinness Nigeria Plc); and the afore-mentioned Folashade Alli, SAN (Principal Partner, Folashade Alli and Partners).
NEWSWIRE’s correspondent in Lagos understands that this eventful and star-studded Conference programme will climax with a colourful NBAWF Dinner to be chaired by Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN . As in the main programme, short speeches of welcome will be delivered by both the CPC chairperson and NBAWF chairpersons, Madams Alli, SAN, and Okorocha, respectively.
The guest speaker, who is none other than Dr. Olasupo Olusi, CEO at the Bank of Industry (BOI) will deliver the keynote address at the Dinner.
The leadership of the NBAWF is expected to use the opportunity of this occasion to acknowledge its sponsors and partners as regards the Conference. This will be followed by goodwill messages by such personalities as former NBA national general-secretaries Mrs. Joyce Odua (Partner at Joyce and Okey Oduah LP); and Afam Osigwe (Senior Partner at The Law Forte); as well as former NBA Lagos Chairman, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN who is a Partner at ALN Nigeria and Aluko & Oyebode; and Tobenna Erojikwe (Partner at The Law Crest LLP).
Against the backdrop of the wining, dining and networking that will characterize the evening, there will be an Awards and Recognition session in celebration of women who have recorded notable achievements in business and the legal industry.
On a lighter note, the evening will also feature a presentation of awards to the best dressed dinner guests. A raffle draw is expected to be yet another highlight of the Dinner.
The rest of the evening will be given over to entertainment and closing remarks, as the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum’s 4th Annual General Conference and International Women’s Day commemoration for 2024 draws to a close.
-Advertisement-
Grab our latest Magazine, "Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, A man of wide horizons and deep intentions". Get your order fast and stress free.
For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did
