NBA-AGC 2024 Commences In Lagos With Juma’at Service And Health Walk
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) officially launched its 2024 Annual General Conference on Friday, beginning with delegate registration and a thanksgiving Juma’at Service at the Central Mosque on Lagos Island.
The conference continued on Saturday morning with a health walk at 7:00 a.m., followed by a pre-conference National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Nigeria Law School. Delegates will also attend a welcome cocktail party organized by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.
This year’s conference, which runs until August 28, is expected to draw over 16,000 legal practitioners. Themed “Pressing Forward: A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria,” the event will be hosted at the Eko Hotel & Suites and the Tafawa Balewa Square, both located on Lagos Island.
Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya, Chairman of the Annual General Conference Planning Committee, has described this year’s conference as “A Conference Like No Other!” She emphasised the meticulous planning involved, ensuring that every detail contributes to a memorable experience for both in-person and virtual attendees.
“No detail is too small; no stone has been left unturned to bring this slogan to life. From the historical significance of the venue to the carefully curated sessions and the selection of resource persons, every aspect of the conference is designed to stand out,” Badejo-Okusanya stated. “Our promise is that there will be something for everyone.”
The conference will formally open on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at Eko Hotel & Suites. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, known for her trailblazing achievements.
The day will begin with a special thanksgiving church service at 9:00 a.m. at the historic Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina. This service offers attendees an opportunity to gather in a serene setting, offer prayers for the success of the event, reflect on the past year’s accomplishments, and celebrate the legal community’s contributions.
The opening ceremony will also feature a speech by former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who will discuss “The Future of Africa Amidst Rising Security, Economic, and Political Challenges.” Other prominent speakers include Senator Abubakar Bagudu, CON, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Group; and the session chair, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, CON, former Governor of Ekiti State.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, are also expected to deliver goodwill messages at the event.
Key sessions throughout the week-long conference include “The Glass Ceiling is Shattered,” featuring all eleven female bank managing directors in Nigeria, who will share their leadership journeys and insights on advancing in their fields. Other notable sessions will cover “The Rise of Artificial Intelligence and The Practice of Law,” “What It Takes to Be a Lawyer,” and “The Intersection of Rule of Law and Human Rights in Nigeria: Unlocking Opportunities for a Democratic Future.”
A discussion on “The Globalization of Legal Services” will be led by Professor Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, of Olaniwun Ajayi LP, alongside Richard Atkinson, Vice President of the Law Society of England and Wales, and other prominent legal experts. This session will be coordinated by Ronke Adeyemi and moderated by Shola Soyele, Channels TV’s judiciary correspondent.
As the conference progresses, participants can expect a robust program designed to inspire, educate, and foster meaningful dialogue on the future of Nigeria’s legal landscape.
