NBA constitutes 10-man Transition Committee
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has constituted a 10-man transition committee headed by Paul Harris Ogbole (SAN) as chairman.
This followed the dissolution of all standing and ad-hoc committees constituted during the administration of Mr. Olumide Akpata. The action is to ensure the smooth transition of authority.
A statement issued last Wednesday by Akpata, stated that all committees effectively stood dissolved with the exception of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) and the electoral committee of the Bar.
The statement, which also announced the constitution of a 10-man Transition committee, charged it to properly discharge its duties in line with its terms of reference.
In a related development, the TCCP has granted 1,510 new wigs free access as virtual participants to the NBA yearly general conference, which commenced on Friday, August 19, 2022.
Also, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2022 conference unveiled an APP, “Confrencepedia” to guide delegates in the conference.
The TCCP chairman, Tobenna Erojiekwe, said this would enable young lawyers participate in all the technical sessions and equip themselves with the relevant tools needed in their career development.
According to him, the NBA administration, led by Akpata, had, through its free training by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, been making frantic efforts for the capacity building of lawyers, and in particular, young lawyers.
The App, which is to guide the delegates in the conference has 49-page colourful document, which conferees need to meander through the exciting Lagos landscape with ease and comfort, and is now live on the Whova App.
Apart from welcome addresses by the five NBA Branch chairmen from Lagos, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, the Confrencepedia also has a comprehensive “Outline of Sessions and Topics” for the 62nd conference.
It also contains the major events and schedules for the AGC, including the Jumat Service, Health Walk, Tree Planting Campaign, multi-denominational Church Service, Chess & Scrabble Competition, and President’s Dinner.
Others are details on the friendship centre, Chief Judge’s cocktail, closing party otherwise called “UnBarred 5.0,” explore Lagos, nearby hospitals for serious emergency medicare, pharmacy stores, relaxation centres & hangout spots, top-notch restaurants, and 24-hour fuel stations.
The confrencepedia also outlines the dates for social events/parties to be hosted by Lagos branches of the NBA. While Lagos Branch will hold its party at Eko Atlantic City on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, Epe Branch will hold its own same day. Badagry Branch will hold its party the following day, while that of NBA Ikeja Branch’s party is schedule for August 25, 2022.
Major traffic offences in Lagos, secretariat addresses for Lagos branches, and emergency security numbers are among other relevant information contained in the Confrencepedia.
The week long event began on Friday with a pair of activities, both spiritual and temporal. Many lawyers attended the Juma’at service at the Lagos Central Mosque, and continued on Saturday with a health walk for lawyers.
The 2022 ‘Walk for Justice,’ began at 8.00 a.m from Eko Atlantic City and passed the Eko Hotels and Suites. The lawyers made their way through Adeola Odeku Road, into Ahmadu Bello Way, before doubling back and ending up at their starting point, the Eko Atlantic City.
The walk was graced by leading lights in the legal profession, including Akpata (who was accompanied by a number of national officers of the association); Osaro Eghobamien (SAN) and Asama Kadiri (SAN).
Others are the chairman of the Lagos NBA Branch, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna and some members of his executive team. The Walk, apart from helping the lawyers stay in good shape, was aimed at drawing attention to the need for sustainable legal and judicial reforms in a way that improves Nigerian jurisprudence and access to justice among the populace.
However, in a bid to promote a healthier environment, NBA planted trees at the Eko Atlantic City. The tree planting was done in support of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency whose core responsibility is ensuring a healthier Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Akpata said: “Our theme is Bold Transitions and we are contemplating how our profession, our country and our world are dealing with the transitions that are occurring in our lives and one of those transitions is the environment.” He said as a people and a country, they must pay attention to the environment. “For the project at the Eko Atlantic, the Atlantic Ocean was pushed back and there must be remedial steps taken to ensure that repercussions do not come.
“It is a civic duty and it is out of enlightened self interest that we do this tree planting for a healthier environment,” he explained.
ALSO, the TCCP said it is partnering with Lawbreed Limited, the authorised publishers of the judgments of the Supreme Court to give free online judgment for three months to lawyers.
The Chairman and Managing Director of the Lawbreed Group, Mr. Layi-Babatunde (SAN), disclosed this last weekend in Lagos.
According to him, the partnership will contribute immensely to the legal education and practice of Nigerian lawyers, particularly the young lawyers.
He said Lawbreed-NBA partnership has worked for more than two decades and is still waxing stronger. Lai-Babatunde said the Lawbreed tradition is to equip lawyers for greater success in their chosen areas of practice.
He said that the electronic edition of the Supreme Court Law Reports has the same citations and pagination with the hard copy editions.
The senior advocate, therefore, admonished lawyers to come on board as the offer is on first come first serve basis.