My Tinapa experience

My first participation of a Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference began on the 25th day of August 2013, the Nigerian Bar Association Kaduna branch provided transportation for eligible members who paid the requisite conference fee and also, for its football team. That Sunday morning was filled with feelings of excitement not only because we […]

My first participation of a Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference began on the 25th day of August 2013, the Nigerian Bar Association Kaduna branch provided transportation for eligible members who paid the requisite conference fee and also, for its football team. That Sunday morning was filled with feelings of excitement not only because we were going to the hospitality state of Calabar, most of us for the first time but also, the branch had promised her footballers accommodation and feeding as long as we remain in the football competition, and so it was that we left the Centre of Learning to the 53rd Annual General Conference in Tinapa Business resort, Calabar, Cross River state.
The fourteen- hour trip was not without its ups and downs.  It was a fun ride with lawyers getting to know themselves better, sharing hilarious, funny and even awkward gist creating a friendly environment through the journey, games like “concentrate, Q & A” were played while certain brave men had the occasional liquid companion to drive away boredom of any sort and all was merry.
Then it happened along Ogbulafor Road, Enugu State, an oncoming heavy duty truck driver agitated by our driver overtaking another vehicle, threw a sachet of “pure water” at us and broke the windscreen of our bus.  We had to turn around and chase the driver, accosted him with the help of some Custom officers, took him to the nearest police station where he was detained and promised to pay the cost of the windscreen, which he did. Then we left Enugu around 7p.m. with a broken windscreen, made certain stops to refresh the body and soul, missed our way after Ikot ipene and only realised when we got to Uyo, asked for direction from the police officers on duty, found our way and then got to Calabar around 3a.m. the following morning.
The 26th day of August was the first day of business, registration of members was done, conference materials were distributed and the ceremony declared open with different dignitaries like the  Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and so many others in like status graced the occasion. Most of the young lawyers ecstatic at re-uniting with other colleagues from different jurisdiction were outside the emporium, taking pictures, exchanging warm hugs, contacts and pleasantries. Then some of us went back to our hotel rooms to rest while others explored the beautiful and clean city of Calabar.
The 27th day of August was the first day of the football competition between the different branches of the Nigerian Bar Association.  Kaduna Branch was to play Onitsha Branch whom we had played with at previous conferences and won. The match was rough, tough and competitive but unfortunately, we lost. Despite the disappointing loss, the Branch Executives organised a get together for all her members to dine, wine and dance.  We were then informed that the next day all footballers would depart the beautiful city to Kaduna. It was a gloomy mood for most of us as we had barely explored the tales of the city of Calabar.
The 28th day of August, Young Lawyers Forum had a workshop for young lawyers at Monty Suites, the topic: “Is the Nigerian legal profession ripe for the re-introduction of a mandatory pupillage system: what effect {if any} will such a system have on the standards and welfare of young lawyers”, if you ask me, the profession has been ripe ever since that’s why it was applicable in the first place.
 ‘All work without play, makes Jack a dull boy’ we then proceeded to Tinapa Business Resort for the Gala night then to Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel for the young lawyers party which was the highlight of my stay in Calabar.
The 29th day of August was scheduled for the Annual General Meeting, but knowing that my presence or absence would make no impact at the meeting, I decided to stay away and continue to explore the city with the few friends left. My Tinapa experience was finally over on the 30th of August, when we departed Cross River with some of us promising to come back for the Calabar Carnival in December.
The worrisome part of my Tinapa experience was the low turn-out of young lawyers at the conference, while it is true that some had the means but were not interested, others with interest lacked the funds to attend though under the employment of law firms, whose principals were present at the conference. The welfare of a young lawyer should not be taken lightly as it plays a paramount role in the development of his practise, at least pay the gentleman’s conference fee, transportation and accommodation, it is enough that he is being paid meagre stipends to live with.
Be that as it may, we look forward to another AGC experience and hope to see an increase in the turnout of young lawyers.

Daniel Bulusson writes from Kaduna.