Past chairmen of all nine branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Delta State have collectively endorsed Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN as their preferred candidate for the upcoming NBA Presidential election scheduled for July 20, 2024.

The endorsement comes from a group of esteemed legal professionals who have previously held leadership positions in their respective NBA branches, including:

1. Chief Gweke Akudihor (Warri Branch)
2. Ben Nwosa Oji (Warri Branch)
3. G. O. K. Ebowe (Warri Branch)
4. Michael Asugo (Warri Branch)
5. Chief Emmanuel Uti (Warri Branch)
6. Chief Oghenero Okoro (Warri Branch)
7. H. Chukwuma Oseyenim (Asaba Branch)
8. Augustine Eseagwu (Asaba Branch)
9. Noble Sir J. O. Ojobu (Agbor Branch)
10. A. O. Bienose (Agbor Branch)
11. A. O. Ewere (Agbor Branch)
12. Benjamin Isetin (Agbor Branch)
13. Osi Okojie (Agbor Branch)
14. J. H. Ijeomah (Agbor Branch)
15. Samuel Chukwuemeka Odoh (Sapele Branch)
16. Dr. Lawrence Omughele (Sapele Branch)
17. Patrick Mekako (Udu Branch)
18. Deacon Dennis E. Agbaga (Effurun Branch)
19. Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi (Effurun Branch)
20. Theophilus Aniko (Oleh Branch)
21. Alex Amusi (Ughelli Branch)
22. Joel A. Opete (Ughelli Branch)
23. Scott Ayo-Okirhia (Ughelli Branch)
24. Matthew E. Osume (Ughelli Branch)
25. F. O. Okolie (Ogwashi-Uku Branch)

These past chairmen have highlighted nine compelling reasons for their support of Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, including his leadership in the remuneration of lawyers, his expertise in constitution review, his role as a vital bridge between generations of Nigerian lawyers, and his unique position as a Bencher. The endorsers also point to Osigwe’s institutional memory, his initiation of the NBA stamp/seal policy, his experience in packaging the current NBA insurance policy, and his deep understanding of the NBA National Secretariat, which positions him well to implement necessary reforms.

Chief Gweke Akudihor, a past chairman of the Warri Branch, emphasized Osigwe’s commitment to improving the earnings of lawyers in Nigeria, stating, “As Chairman of the NBA National Remuneration Committee, Afam Osigwe SAN understands the urgency of improving the earnings of lawyers in Nigeria and is passionately committed to this mission.”

The endorsement also highlights Osigwe’s role in developing the current NBA Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws, with the endorsers noting that his insights into contemporary legal framework issues ensure his commitment to continuous improvement.

The past chairmen believe that Osigwe’s experience as a former General Secretary of the NBA, coupled with his status as the only Bencher among the Presidential candidates, makes him uniquely qualified to strengthen the relationship between the NBA leadership and the Body of Benchers for the overall benefit of all stakeholders.

The endorsement statement, signed by the 25 past chairmen from the nine NBA branches in Delta State, concludes by asserting that “a vote for Afam Osigwe SAN as President of the NBA on July 20, 2024, is a vote for the overall best interest of all Nigerian Lawyers.”