Former Liberian President George Weah is expected to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 21 to 28.

The Chairman of the NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Abdul Muhammed, announced Weah’s selection in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the decision reflected the association’s commitment to elevating the quality of discussion at the conference.

Muhammed said Weah’s transition from international football to politics, as well as his record in public service, made him an important voice on leadership, democracy and good governance in Africa.

Weah served as President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. Before entering politics, he enjoyed a distinguished football career and remains the only African player to have won both the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

In 1995, he became the first and, to date, only African footballer to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year and African Footballer of the Year awards in the same year.

The conference committee also highlighted Weah’s decisions while serving as Liberia’s president, including reducing his salary by 25 per cent and introducing policies aimed at improving access to education.

Muhammed described Weah’s conduct after Liberia’s closely contested 2023 presidential runoff election as a notable demonstration of democratic leadership.

Weah stepped down from office in 2024 after his opponent secured 50.64 per cent of the vote against his 49.36 per cent.

“In a rare demonstration of statesmanship, His Excellency Weah stepped down from the presidency in 2024 after a runoff election in which his closest rival polled 50.64 per cent to his 49.36 per cent,” the statement read.

“His decision not to challenge the outcome of the elections despite the razor-thin margin, and to relinquish power, cemented Weah’s reputation as a principled democrat, an honourable statesman and a distinguished African who is a model of good governance.”

The committee also recalled Weah’s humanitarian activities before his entry into partisan politics.

He served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1997 and received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award from ESPN in 2004 for his work supporting children affected by conflict, disease and poverty.

“Before entering partisan politics, George Weah had served as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF from 1997. In 2004, he received the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award from ESPN for his work on behalf of children who were affected by conflict, disease and poverty,” the statement added.

Muhammed said the conference would provide the NBA with an opportunity to examine leadership, governance and national choices as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that Weah’s experience as an internationally celebrated athlete, humanitarian and former African president would enrich discussions at the conference and offer important lessons on democratic responsibility, peaceful transitions and public service.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel ______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________ LAWBREED NEW WIG SPECIAL OFFER — Give a newly called lawyer a lasting professional gift. Get up to 20% off selected LAWBREED Supreme Court Reports, plus access to My S.C Extra, featuring Supreme Court judgments from 1972 to date. Call/WhatsApp: 08077011741 | 08077011755 | 08077011730 | 08023269613 Email: orders@lawbreed.com | mails@lawbreed.com LAWBREED — Equipping You For Greater Success! _______________________________________________________________________