My mission
in this race is to serve with integrity and run an inclusive NBA dedicated to
the advancement of the interests of its members and protection of societal
norms and values. I have also developed a number of welfare support programmes
for members of the Bar if I am elected. Some of these programmes include the
provision of loans to members of the Bar, through partnering banks for setting
up law firms and partnerships. Special health-care programmes will also be
introduced for aged and incapacitated members of the Bar. Also germane is the
issue of discipline in the profession which I will holistically address if
elected.
The welfare
and capacity development of young lawyers will also be paramount if I am
elected and in this vein, I will champion the establishment of a minimum wage
baseline for the engagement of young lawyers bearing in mind the location of
the practice and business environment. The practice of paying young lawyers
paltry sums as salary must be discouraged in all ramifications. I have also
marshalled out plans to empower lawyers and build their capacity by exposing
them to emerging vistas of law which currently remain largely untapped. Some of
these areas are sports law, competition law (anti-trust), entertainment law,
medical law e.t.c. This I will achieve by ensuring training, capacity building,
organising relevant workshops, conferences and seminars and by networking with
development partners, as well as more developed Bar Associations
internationally.
Another area
of interest which I will address is initiating a Health Insurance Policy in
collaboration with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for all
interested lawyers and their family members to guarantee easy access to quality
healthcare and benefits. This will go a long way in addressing the health needs
of lawyers and their family members.
Under my
leadership, the NBA stamp and seal policy will be enhanced by tackling all
attendant delays in its production by ensuring that the stamps are produced and
made available to lawyers promptly upon application. The NBA car stickers is
also another area of concern and I intend to put machinery in place to ensure
that the car stickers are serialised and customised for lawyers to avoid its
abuse by non-lawyers as is presently the case. If I am elected, I will run the
NBA in a transparent manner by ensuring accountability and openness in all
dealings and affairs of the Association.
Generally, I
will run an all inclusive NBA by ensuring equal opportunities and participation
by Branches, promote the rights of members, reposition the NBA as a frontline
professional Association committed to holding government accountable and
consolidate on the achievements of the present leadership of the NBA in the
overall interest of the Association.
Most NBA
presidential aspirants have grandiose manifestos and seemingly populist
programmes, but these are hardly followed through on assumption of office. What
will be your main areas of focus if you are elected NBA President and how will
you implement them during your two-year tenure?
Two years is
actually a reasonable time for any focused leader to make an impact. My
programmes and vision for the Bar are well thought-out and very practicable. I
also have a feasible blue-print for the implementation of my programmes. In
drawing up my manifesto, I made wide consultations to identify the needs and
yearnings of the Bar and all these are encapsulated in my manifesto which I
have undertaken to implement to the fullest if elected. If I am elected as the
28th President of the Nigerian Bar Association, my main focus will be on the
empowerment of members, promotion of professional development and continuing
legal education.
Members will
be economically empowered by exposing them to business opportunities, training
and capacity building in diverse areas of law, as well as capacity building to
enhance skills and increase productivity in line with modern realities of legal
practice. This I intend to achieve through capacity building workshops,
networking programmes, seminars, courses and conferences amongst others. I am
of the view that the current Rules of Professional Conduct 2007 (RPC) is due
for a comprehensive review to bring it in tandem with current trends and
reflect modern realities.
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