* Says Disruption Is The Trend Now, We Need To Find Out How It Will Affect Our Work
* NBA doesn’t shy away from speaking on issues that affects the entire country — Paul Usoro, SAN
* All The Sections Of The NBA Are Not Separate Entities — Mr. Seni Adio, SAN
* The Conference registration, a rebate has been considered for young lawyers and those with disabilities— Paul Usoro, SAN
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Chairman of the Technical Committee of Conference Planning (TCCP), Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, has said that so far, over 10,000 lawyers have registered for the Conference and the expectation is 12,000 lawyers.
The Chairman disclosed this figure while briefing journalists and other members of the NBA present at the NBA World Press Conference on the 17th of July, 2019. According to him, it is important we look into the future in order to prepare and position ourselves for it. He stressed that disruption is the trend now, thus, we need to find out how it will affect our work. He made this emphasis while commenting on the theme of the Conference, “Facing The Future”.
He said that there is need for us to change, and to reform, and the conference provides an opportunity to discuss national issues. Speakers expected at the event includes: the President of the International Bar Association (IBA), Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu who is going to be the Chief Host.
The plenary session is to be handled by the various sections of the NBA such as the Section on Business Law, Section on Legal Practice & Section on Public Interest. The Conference is also expected to be lively with breath-taking activities such as a 5km Charity walk, a non-denominational service, cocktail party to declare the Conference open and the NBA National Executive Council Meeting. He also added that during the conference, there will be a session discussing the UN sustainable development Goal 5, growth in the economy, domesticating the AFCFTA now that it has been signed, BREXIT- what it means to Africa, etc.
The Welcome Address of the Press briefing was anchored by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN. He welcomed the members of the press for honouring the invitation.
The Conference also accommodate a special question and answer session, whereby question bothering on various issues affecting the legal profession and the nation at large were considered for answers. One Vera representing the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) was concerned why the Conference briefing didn’t talk about any session to discuss security challenges. Sandra from the News Agency of Nigeria asked why the Conference isn’t looking into lawyers living with disabilities. She disclosed that she gets feedback from the association of lawyers living with disabilities and they said they have been abandoned. She was concerned whether the Bar would want the Conference to really look into their matter. Mr. Austin from the Newswire also asked about the invitation of the acting CJN as his appointment didn’t follow due process since the Conference will be discussing on the Rule of Law.
Another journalist from TVC said that the NBA needs to be more visible and louder when it comes to addressing human rights abuses and other challenges in the society. He stressed that we see lawyers every now and then talking up issues personally but hardly see NBA as a body in that same capacity. Also, a journalist from CNBC Africa asked what the big wins of NBA were after her last conference till date. Another journalist was interested in what the position of NBA is on El- Zazaky’s illegal detention case.
Responding to the various concerns, the President of the NBA, Paul Usoro, SAN, said that the issue of lawyers with disabilities is a very important one and that they have decided to include it as one of the issues to be discussed at the conference. “Though the NJC is saddled with the responsibility of providing aids, and infrastructure to accommodate them, the NBA will definitely take their case beyond the Conference. For the Conference registration, a rebate has been considered for young lawyers and those with disabilities,” he said.
He noted that the NBA doesn’t shy away from speaking on issues that affect the entire country, adding that, they will continue to speak up for Nigerians. He also said that the NBA has a pro bono service for those that cannot afford legal services.
Regarding the question on the Acting CJN, Mr. Usoro said that he is already in the process of being confirmed as the CJN, thus, before the Conference in August, he may be the CJN with due process being followed. On Security, he also added that there will surely be a session on that during the Conference.
He also added his voice to the Kebbi State judiciary saga. According to him, NBS national requested for a report from NBA Kebbi and the report just came in yesterday so they are in the process of studying the report in order to give their statement on the matter. “All NBA Conferences seek to achieve two basic things: place pertinent issues on the table to influence National Discuss/Dialogue and Knowledge sharing with lawyers and they have always achieved them,” he added.
Mr. Seni Adio, SAN, added that all the sections of the NBA are not separate entities but working for the interest of NBA and so the achievements of the different sections also speak on the achievement of NBA as a body.
Still on the issue of registration, the Co-Chair of the TCCP, Mr. OlumideApata added that this year’s registration was strictly online at www.nbaconference.com, while the service providers were sourced locally. He stressed that there will also be social activities during the Conference like stage play, musical fiesta, and the annual president’s dinner; also that a communiqué will be made on the last day that will capture key-issues discussed during the conference,.
This year’s Conference is expected to begin from the 23rd to 29th August 2019, at EKO Hotels. The theme for the 59th NBA Conference, is “Facing the Future”, and will feature 34 plenary sessions and other important topics such as The Rule of Law, Code of Conduct Tribunal- A clash of the judiciary and executive powers, The future of the legal practice, etc. There will also be a session for the media then Mental Health issues will also be discussed.
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