2021 NBA -AGC: Individual Collection Of Conference Materials Not Sustainable — NBA Effrun Branch Secretary, K. O. Idisi

*Recommends Collection By Branch Representatives

The Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Effrun Branch, K. O. Idisi, has said that the individual collection of conference materials at the ongoing NBA Annual General Conference, AGC, is not sustainable.

Idisi, in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, said such state of affairs ought not to happen in Akpata’s tenure as same amounts to taking the association back to dark days when lawyers literally fight to get the materials.

“Collection of Conference Materials is set to go back to the dark days where lawyers literally fight to get them. This should not happen in Akpata’s tenure. Olu Akpata Led EXCO is too organized, purposeful and dynamic to have that happen.

“Our president, Mr. Olumide Akpata and his EXCO have done excellently well. I and I’m sure a host of others likewise will not allow something as little as collection of conference materials to put a dent on the golden crown Akpata and his EXCO have worked for without blowing the whistle.

“Whilst I highly commend the TCCP for a job well done, it is clear that The individual collection of conference materials is not sustainable. I got mine today and from my experience, I fear for members of my branch and those of other branches when they flood in the venue from Sunday.

“First, lawyers queue up to collect numbers. Next they go and get a place to stand and wait, offcourse seats will naturally never be enough. Then numbers are called out serially for members to access the hall where the booths for collection are.

“At the collection booth, members queue up again and get verified by showing their email and identity card. Once a member is verified and given his materials, he fills his name on a register and sign to indicate that he has collected his/her materials.

“With due respect to the TCCP, there is nothing special in the above procedure for collection that should compulsorily and mandatorily warrant an insistence on personal/individual collection of conference materials. It does not save time. It does not promote covid 19 protocols.

“Rather, the procedure will even increase the avenues for members to congregate and unavoidably have contacts; something that ought ordinarily to be reduced drastically in this post covid era.

“This individual collection is not sustainable. It is undue stress on lawyers. It increases the chances for the spread of covid. The TCCP should allow branch representatives to collect materials for members as it was done at the AGC in Lagos; one of the best, if not the best.” Idisi said

He therefore recommended that the materials should rather be collected by representatives of MBA Branches

“I hereby humbly urge the TCCP to revisit its stand on mandatory individual collection of conference material.” he said