The Nigerian Bar Association Welfare Committee has undertaken to register at least one lawyer from each of the 125 Branches of the NBA for the 2021 NBA Annual General Conference.

The AGC will take place from the 22nd – 29th October 2021 at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Conference will be Hybrid (Virtual and Physical participation).

Registration for the AGC is scheduled to commence from 23rd August to 30th September 2021.

In a statement titled “LET’S CONTINUE TO BE OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER- NBA WELFARE COMMITTEE ADMONISHES” made available to TheNigeriaLawyer signed by its Secretary, Ogaga Emoghawanre, the Committee said the purpose of the initiative is to ensure early and adequate exposure of young lawyers to the intellectual and social benefits of the AGC which would aid their growth and development in the profession and to encourage senior colleagues to support these younger colleagues by sponsoring them.

Ogaga stated, “The NBA Welfare Committee, under the leadership of Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, has taken the bold and commendable initiative to register, at least, one lawyer from each of the 125 Branches of the NBA (particularly the young lawyers) for the AGC.

“This symbolic gesture is part of the effort by the Welfare Committee to ensure early and adequate exposure of young lawyers to the intellectual and social benefits of the AGC which would aid their growth and development in the profession and to encourage senior colleagues to support these younger colleagues by sponsoring them.

“This is particularly important in this day, when attending the AGC or other similar programmes, have become one of the criteria for advancement in the profession.”

The Committee reiterated its dedication to prepare young lawyers to take over the helms of affairs of the Association under the supervision of seniors.

The Committee also pledged to encourage members of the Association to be their brothers keepers and to make it a culture.

The statement reads, “The NBA Welfare Committee, is dedicated to the preparation of the younger colleagues to take over the reigns of our Profession at all levels, under the guidance and superintendency of the Seniors.

“The above-highlighted initiative is similar to the ongoing sensitisation by the NBA Welfare Committee, encouraging Branches to celebrate our older Colleagues, after the Warri Branch model.

“The Chairman, Mr. Maikyau, SAN commended and supported the Markurdi Branch, when the Doyen of Markurdi Bar, Rowland Chukwukadibia Ndefo, Esq, had a thanksgiving service on the 18th of July, 2021 in celebration of his 80th Birthday and 50 years anniversary of his call to Bar.

“The Enugu Branch, at the prompting of Mr. Maikyau, SAN, organized a party to honour three icons of the Profession, in the persons of Chief A. O. Mogboh, SAN, Dr. E. E. J. Okereke and Ichie L. M. E. Ezeofor. It was a grand celebration held on 26th August, 2021, which left the 3 elders in tearful joy and profound gratitude.

“In the same vein, when one of the Members of the NBA Welfare Committee, Mrs. Kristie Ndife, was honoured by her local Church at Nnewi, the NBA Welfare Committee was there to support and celebrate with her.

“The NBA Welfare Committee led by Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, under the administration of Mr. Olumide Akpata, remains committed to the overall welfare of members of the Bar. The Committee is committed in its campaign to encourage members to be their ‘brothers’ keepers’ and very soon, it shall be established as the culture of the Nigerian Bar.

“Let us not be found in the near future, amongst those who will confess ‘mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa’ – because we had the opportunity to look after one another and we did not!!”