Ifeoma Ben is one of the contestants for the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association election that will be taking place next month.

Ifeoma, who is aspiring for the office of the Assistant Secretary in an interview with TheNigerialawyer (TNL), pointed out the various ways she will make an impressive impact in the branch.

Can we know you?

My name is Ifeoma Ben. I am a Law Professional with experience in presenting and delivering solutions and services in the legal field. I hold a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Lagos, Akoka and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Imo State University, Owerri. I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012 and I work with the Firm of Kevin Martin Ogwemoh Legal. I am an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK, a Graduate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Management respectively. I am a Writer, Content Creator, Public Speaker, among other talents.

It is no longer news that you are in the race for the office of Assistant Secretary NBA Lagos branch, (Premier bar) could you tell us more about it?

I am passionate about serving the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch as Assistant Secretary. I have been very effective in discharging secretarial duties in various Associations where I have served as Secretary. I want to bring on board, my wealth of experience in administration, having led various associations in different capacities as President and Secretary respectively. When given the opportunity to serve as Assistant Secretary of the branch, I will assist the Secretary in building a very effective and functional Secretariat.

What inspired you to vy for the office?

I am passionate about contributing to the growth of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos branch. I am desirous of helping to strengthen the NBA Lagos Secretariat by offering my services as Assistant Secretary.

Have you ever served NBA in any capacity AND if yes have what office?

I have not served in the Executive Committee of the NBA but I have served in other Committees. As a very active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, I have contributed and still contribute to the growth of the Association in diverse ways. I am the Assistant Secretary of the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch (2017-2019) and have worked assiduously in achieving the objectives of the Committee in decongesting the Prisons. Under the platform of the Human Rights Committee of the NBA Lagos Branch, I offer pro bono services to prison inmates and have assisted in setting many Prisoners free.  I am currently serving as a member of the 2019 Law Week Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch.

What are the visions you want to achieve when elected Assistant Secretary of your branch?

When given the opportunity to serve as Assistant Secretary of the branch, I will assist the Secretary in building a very effective and functional Secretariat.

In specific terms, my areas of service will be, among other things, the following:

  • Recording and keeping of all Minutes of Meetings: The Secretary has the duty of representing the branch at the National Executive Committee meeting and as such needs a capable hand to assist in taking the Minutes of Meetings of the branch. No doubt, I have the capability to do this.
  • Writing and dispatching letters and other correspondence of the branch: I will work with the Secretary in carrying out this function effectively.
  • Disseminating to all members all information from the National Secretariat of the Association: Information is power. Members need to be kept abreast of what is happening at the National body. I will work with the Secretary to achieve this and improve on what we currently have.
  • Keeping an up-to-date directory of members of the branch: This is a very great concern for the branch. With the aid of technology, in this digital era, we can build an up-to-date directory of all members of the branch. We can work with IT Personnel to achieve this.
  • Furnishing Annual/Special Reports of the activities of the branch to members: This is a key constitutional duty and I will work with the Secretary to ensure that all reports are furnished to members accordingly.
  • General Management of the Secretariat of the branch: In collaboration with the Secretary and other Executive Committee members, I will ensure that members who visit the Secretariat are attended to appropriately.

Are there certain challenges or reforms you would want the incoming administration to look into?

As a very active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos branch, I know what the issues are.

The delay in the processing and delivery of NBA Stamp and Seal has been a thorn in the flesh. I am coming up with ideas on how it can be done faster and better.

The Stamp and Seal is processed at the National Secretariat and there has been a lot of issues with processing and delivery of stamp and seal in good time. The problem has been that hard copies of the application for stamp are received at the branch and same forwarded to the National body when a good number of applications have been received.

I am coming up with an idea that can solve this problem. We will utilise technology to achieve the desired results. The idea is this: Applications and payment receipts for stamp are scanned as soon as they are received by the branch and same sent promptly by email to the National Secretariat for processing.

I know a resolution of the branch or National body may be needed for this idea to be implemented. We can pass the resolution at branch meeting and the Chairman and Secretary can forward same to the National body for deliberation and approval.

I will also help to make arrangements for courier services for the despatch of Stamp and Seal to our various offices for a token.

You promised to make the Secretariat more effective if elected as Assistant Secretary of the branch, in brief, how do you intend achieving that?

I will work with the Secretary together with the administrative staff of the NBA Lagos to ensure that Lawyers are attended to properly and all their issues resolved in due time. Building an effective and functional Secretariat is not optional. It is a necessity. The Premier branch deserves the best and I will render the best service.

Considering your wealth of experience, why vy for the office of the Assistant Secretary, why not the Secretary?

The elections of the Nigerian Bar Association are governed by the NBA Uniform Bye Law and provides for qualifications of Candidates to be nominated for various elective positions. The position of the Secretary requires eight years post-call experience while the position of the Assistant Secretary requires five years post-call experience. I am not yet qualified to vy for the position of Secretary by virtue of my year of call to Bar.

Assuming you do not win at the poll, in what ways can you still improve the Secretariat?

Assuming I do not win, I will still make reasonable contributions and proposals which can help to strengthen the Secretariat and make it more effective.

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