“Specialize In Order To Position Yourself Properly” — Obegolu SAN Says To Lawyers As NBA Abuja Holds Training

*Presents Book To 2 Female Lawyers To Mark Int’l Girl Child’s Day

Renown Lawyer and Arbitrator, Emeka Obegolu SAN has urged Nigerian lawyers to pursue specialization in order to position themselves and fit properly in the 21st Century legal practice.

He made this call while facilitating a training themed “Demystifying Construction Law” organized by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar).

The learned silk who is a specialist himself, majoring in Alternative Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation), Criminal law and Commercial law practice, Petroleum Law, pre and post-election matters, and constitutional law amongst others, went on to note thus: “Specialization a major means for a lawyer to show measurable credibility and be of high value for the modern time.”

The first session of the training, which was tagged the; “Introduction to Construction Law in Nigeria and Overview of Construction Contract”, was facilitated by Chief Obegolu SAN featuring Prof. Agbo Jerry Madaki of Durban University of Technology, South Africa and Prof. Kathleen E. Okafor of Baze University, Abuja. During this session, participants were urged to pay close attention to various law governing the construction industry, the Law of Contact, Legal Drafting, Land Law and the Constitution of Nigeria which are the basics to understanding the area in focus.

Furthermore, the experience of the Learned Silk as a specialized lawyer; having served as Sole Arbitrator in Commercial Arbitration disputes, served as Counsel in Engineering-Dispute Arbitration and Supply-Chain Contract Arbitration came in handy during the training. As such, he also moderated the last session of the training which focused on “Protecting Your Client’s Construction Project (Dispute Prevention, Avoidance and Resolution). This session featured Reshma Oogorah, a renowned International Arbitrator and Construction Law Expert who made her speech virtually.

Interestingly, the training focused on other areas as well such as, Roles and Obligations of Parties to a Construction Contract”; Legal Principles Governing the Terms of a Construction Contract”; and “Understanding the Engineer, Procure and Construct Contact”.

In a symbolic gesture to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, Chief Obegolu made a presentation of two copies of a book “Construction Law in Nigeria” to two women who were early comers for the training.

Delivering his remarks, the Chairman NBA Unity Bar (Abuja Branch) Mr. Afam Okeke expressed his immense appreciation to the speakers and participants for attending the event, stating that his administration plans to make a regular activity to boast the knowledge and capacity of members in for effective legal services to the public.