Governance, stakeholders’ engagement and the law in Kaduna State

On the 30th of June 2017, the Nigerian Bar Association, Kaduna branch kicked off her annual Law Week tagged ‘Governance, Stakeholders’ Engagement and the Law in Kaduna State’. The Law Week is an annual gathering of legal practitioners, law students and stakeholders in Kaduna State, with the aim of assessing the practice of law and […]

On the 30th of June 2017, the Nigerian Bar Association, Kaduna branch kicked off her annual Law Week tagged ‘Governance, Stakeholders’ Engagement and the Law in Kaduna State’. The Law Week is an annual gathering of legal practitioners, law students and stakeholders in Kaduna State, with the aim of assessing the practice of law and its impact on the society, and recommending viable solutions to making the legal profession a safe haven for all concerned.

On Friday the 30th of July 2017, was election of new branch executive officers, which saw the change of baton of leadership from Ndasule Sherrif, Esq to Suleiman Shu’aibu, Esq. Immediately after the change of leadership was the Juma’at  prayer at Sultan Bello Mosque, Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna. On Saturday the 1st of July 2017, the branch engaged in a sensitization road work through major routes in Kaduna metropolis on justice and development in Kaduna State.  Members thereafter visited an orphanage and supported them with cash donation, food items, and provisions for their upkeep.

In the evening of the same day, a novelty match was played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (main bowl) between the Nigerian Bar Association, Kaduna branch and the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), which ended 2-1 in favour of the judiciary. According to the captain of the NBA Kaduna branch football team, Godwin Ochai, Esq, “It was a good match by all standards, though it was tagged a novelty. What we saw was highly competitive. Although we lost the match, I think we played better, if we had taken our chances, the result would have been different.”

On the 2nd of July 2017, the branch held her thanksgiving service at the St. Andrews Catholic Church, Kaduna, with the deputy leader of the branch, in the person of Chief Festus Onwuma Okoye, Esq, hosting members for lunch at his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna.

The Law Week was declared open by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Tanimu Zailani, at the ceremonial canopies, Rimi Drive, Kaduna on the 3rd of July 2017. The scheme of paper presentation started with the keynote speech on ‘Governance, Stakeholders’ Engagement and the Law in Kaduna State’ presented by Eyo Ekpo of General Electric. The next session heard ‘The New Land Management Regime in Kaduna State: Impact on Title, Financing and Development’.

Other papers presented included: ‘The Attorney General – Whose Counsel?  Balancing Government and Public Interest’, presented by Solomon Umoh, SAN; ‘ The Legal Profession at a Cross-road’  presented by Rotimi Oguneso, SAN; and ‘ The Role of the Young Lawyer in the Future of the Legal Profession’, presented by Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN.

In the words of the incoming chairman of the Kaduna branch, Suleiman Shu’aibu, Esq: “Fantastic arrangement by the Law Week committee. I for one expected nothing less with the calibre of people in the committee, the Law Week is not only novel but setting pace for other branches to emulate or follow.” 

To the outgoing chairman, Ndasule Sherrif, Esq: “The premier Bar has always delivered in a professional way on all of its branch activities. The 2017 Law Week is not an exception.”

According to Hajiya Aisha Abdu  Mohammad, Esq., secretary of the NBA Kaduna branch Law Week committee: “This year’s Law Week is like no other, it was organised within 30 days, possibly the shortest organizing committee Kaduna Bar has ever seen. In spite of all the hitches, lack of time and also funding, I believe we have been able to pull a successful Law Week and this is all thanks to team work. We worked round the clock, always communicating with each other, we thank God for the success and appreciate the Law Week committee for putting heads together to ensure its success.”

A legal practitioner ought to see himself/herself as an entrepreneur, and “as an entrepreneur, networking is a key activity that is not only fun, but critical to your personal growth and business development… 

“It is good to have a network of friends and associates to draw energy from and keep you going. By surrounding yourself with people who share a similar drive and ambition, you are more likely to move forward as a group.” {source: smallbusinessbc.ca/article}.

The gathering of lawyers to discuss salient issues regarding the growth and development of the Nigerian legal system can be considered as continuing legal education. Every day in the legal environment is a learning process, don’t stay on the side walk, enjoy the ride.

Godspeed!

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