CJN, NBA President, Gov, Sanwo-Olu, Gov. Makinde, US. Sen. William “Mo” Cowan Laud NBA-SBL 14th Annual e-Conference, A New Phase To Digital Reality

*CJN Tanko—e-Conference is a statement to dynamism and resourcefulness
*Paul Usoro SAN—e-Conference appetizer towards NBA AGC
*Gov. Sanwoolu– e-Conference, giant stride approach
*Gov. Makinde—e-Conference , a show of our resilience
*Senator William “Mo” Cowan– e-Conference a testament to dynamic leadership

The opening ceremony of the e-Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section On Business Law (NBA-SBL) was done on Thursday, 16^th day of July, 2020 with several dignitaries in attendance.

These dignitaries include  Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, Paul Usoro SAN, President, NBA,  Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu,  Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, US Senator William “Mo” Cowan among others.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, NBA Section on Business Law, Mr. Seni Adio SAN in his opening remark stated that e-Conference ‘is a celebration, a celebration of not giving up, a celebration of overcoming. A symbol of resilience, adapting, dynamism, and teamwork, as well as the result of a labour of love, and an overriding commitment to our stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, big business, commercial lawyers, and regulators.’ He further noted that the Coronavirus pandemic has presented a circumstance of dynamism which the Section is known for, thus, this accounts for proceeding with the conference virtually.

Paul Usoro SAN commends the NBA SBL and described the e-Conference as a landmark event and an appetizer towards the forthcoming NBA Annual General Conference (AGM). Besides, he noted that the virtual conference further brings to the fore the essentials of keeping to time and lauded the recent Supreme Court verdict as a step towards the digitization of justice delivery in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad in what he described as his “simple but profound brief”address stated that the e-Conference is a statement alluding to the dynamism and resourcefulness of the NBA SBL. This is because, in his words, the Section’s refusal to allow the scourge of the pandemic to hinder them is commendable. Furthermore, His Lordship described the theme of the e-Conference as “quite apt” and he also alluded to the recent verdict of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of virtual Court sitting as indeed, a milestone. He therefore wished all the participants an “informative and truly inspiring session”.

In addition, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu lauded the NBA SBL for the giant stride approach in holding a robust e-Conference amidst the pandemic. Also, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde lauded the NBA SBL for holding the milestone e-Conference and stated that “the event shows our resilience” to navigate in any time of emergency. While lauding the Supreme Court on its verdict on virtual Court hearing, he stated that his leadership in Oyo State is set to put in place the digital architecture for virtual Court sittings.

Besides, in the keynote address of Senator William “Mo” Cowan , he commended the leadership of Mr. Seni Adio SAN who he described as a friend. In addition, he described the theme of the e-Conference as “apt because of the time we are in” and cited USA as an example of one of the countries severely hit by the pandemic.

Also, he noted that the pandemic brings a lasting changes to how we work and it is high time we embraced the reality noting that the significance of this Internet of Things era cannot be overstretched. However, he recommended amongst other things the importance of cyber security, continued  Government approach to providing a regulation that promotes freedom of contract, workforce development, a comprehensive approach for us to leverage on  digital innovation.