Nigeria, a 100 years after
The journey to the eastern heartland for the NBA 54th AGC started on 24th August, 2014 on a smooth note, it was a jolly ride from the centre of learning to the beautiful city of Owerri.On the 25th, at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), conferees were screened at various entry points for the dreaded […]
The journey to the eastern heartland for the NBA 54th AGC started on 24th August, 2014 on a smooth note, it was a jolly ride from the centre of learning to the beautiful city of Owerri.
On the 25th, at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), conferees were screened at various entry points for the dreaded Ebola virus with hand sanitizers and water outlets made available. Even the conference material given to conferees had hand sanitizers amongst other things.
New friends were met and old relationships rekindled with laughter and photograph taking. There was an encouraging turnout of young wigs for the conference, though some had to sponsor themselves despite the economic challenges of a young lawyer. I salute your dedication and commitment to grow in the profession.
The opening ceremony kicked off when the senior advocate of the masses, Executive Governor of Imo State, OwelleRochasOkorocha, came in with former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) ‘Go on with One Nigeria’. The ceremony was graced with the presence of the Speaker House of Representatives, AminuTambuwal, the Deputy Senate President, EmekaIhedioha, the Minister of Justice Bello Adoke (SAN) who represented the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the keynote speaker, Dr. George AmaleKwanashie, who spoke on the theme “Nigeria, a 100 Years After”.
O.C.J Okocha (SAN) said the NBA prayer to kick off the conference. Conferees were lectured on Ebola virus, preventive measures and symptoms to look out for. The chairman, NBA technical committee on conference planning at the AGC, OlusegunAbimbola, assured participants that they would be better informed and professionally motivated with a combined resource panel of over 150 speakers in 40 sessions, though with a warning that those who choose to sample the distractions of Owerri were on their own, the outgoing NBA president, OkeyWali (SAN), welcomed conferees to the conference.
Day three started with a plenary session with the theme “Nigeria, Any Hope For An Industrial Revolution”, thereafter conferees went to a section they had interest in, like section on Business Law, Section on Legal Practice, Section on Public Interest and Development Law, Human Rights Institute, Judges Forum et al.
“Our Governor, Our Governor” hosted lawyers for a Gala night at the Government House. A lawyer was given N1 million for best dance performance by his excellency, with runners up getting N250,000 and N100,000. “Who knew that how well one knows how to dance can make him/her a millionaire in 5 minutes?”
Day four had the section of Young Lawyers Forum at the Mall Aladimna with buses conveying young wigs to the venue. In the words of J.S Okutekpa (SAN) “…Young lawyers are the foundation of the profession.”
The incoming president of the NBA Augustine Alegeh (SAN) who chaired the session was tasked to take priority in the programme of young lawyers. Young conferees were lectured on the quality of legal education in Nigeria from speakers NellaAndemRabana (SAN), Dr.OlanrewajuOnadeko (DG Nigerian Law School), J.S Okutekpa (SAN) and SegunAderigbe et al.
‘All read without play, makes Dan a dull boy’, the outgoing executives of the Young Lawyers Forum under the leadership of Paul Daudu Esq ensured young lawyers had a blast at the young lawyers party at Club 4040 and we did; it was fun all the way.
Day 5 had the Annual General Meeting where the NBA annual report, treasurer’s report and statutory report of the Council of Legal Education, Legal Aid Council, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Studies, Corporate Affairs Commission and National Human Rights Commission for the year 2013-2014 were submitted to the house and other salient issues deliberated upon.
On the 29th day of August, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and other elected NBA national officers were handed over the baton to take the NBA to a better level for the next two years. This young wig prays they fulfil their campaign promises.
And so it was that the NBA 54th Annual General Conference came to an end leaving conferees professionally motivated for the coming legal year and much gratitude to the NBA branches that catered for their young wigs throughout the duration of the conference.