(A clarification by udems)

1️⃣. Stop saying “Congratulations to our newly sworn in (National) executives” ❌❌❌ (REASON: There is nothing like “NBA National executives” or “NBA executives” or “National Executives.”

2️⃣. You may say “Congratulations to our newly sworn-in NBA national executive members” ✅✅✅ This is manageable.
NOTE: It is incorrect to say or write, “Congratulations to our newly sworn-in National Executive Committee Members.” “National Executive Committee (NEC) is a different, separate organ of the NBA; NEC members are not elected.

3️⃣ It is perfect to say, “Congratulations to the newly sworn-in National Officers of the NBA,” or, “Congratulations to our newly sworn-in NBA National Officers” ✅✅?????????

4️⃣. It is wrong to say, “Congratulations to our newly sworn-in National Executive Committee Members” ❌❌
REASONS:

▪️. NBA National Officers are different from NBA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) Members;

▪️All NBA National Officers are members of the NBA NEC, but not all members of the NBA NEC are NBA National Officers;

▪️. NBA usually has more than 500 National EXCO (National Executive Committee) Members but not more than eleven National Officers

▪️NBA’s National EXCO (NEC) Members are not elected— there are over 400 constitutional NEC members and not more than 180 coopted NEC Members. Coopted members are appointed by the President for a two-year tenure . On the other hand, NBA’s National Officers are elected during the NBA National Officers’ Elections usually held biennially. Article/Section 8(1) of the NBA Constitution, 2015 as amended provides that “The National Officers of the Association shall be elected as provided under this Constitution for a single term of two years.” Article/Section 8(2) provides: “The National Officers of the Association shall be – a. The President

b. The First Vice-President; c. The Second Vice-President; d. The Third Vice-President; e. The General Secretary; f. The Assistant Secretary; g. The Treasurer; h. The Welfare Secretary; i. The Financial Secretary; j. The Publicity Secretary; k. The Assistant Publicity Secretary.
On the other hand, section/Article 7(1) of the Constitution provides, “National Executive Committee

1. The National Executive Committee shall comprise the following:
a. National Officers;
b. All past Presidents and General Secretaries;
c. All Chairmen and Secretaries or registered Branches;
d. One (1) other representative of each registered Branch;
e. Chairmen and Secretaries of Sections;
f. Other deserving members of the Association co-opted by the National Executive
Committee provided always that the total number shall not exceed 180 members in the following categories: i. Senior Advocates of Nigeria – 40; ii. Senior Members who are over 25 years post call – 40; iii. Special interest groups/active members who are over 10 years post call – 100“
➖➖

Accordingly, note the following:
▪️Congratulations to Mr Olumide AKPATA (NBA President) and other members of the NBA National EXCO ❌❌❌❌(incorrect).
▪️Congratulations to Mr Olumide AKPATA (NBA President) and other newly sworn-in National Officers of the NBA ✅✅✅✅ (correct)
▪️Congratulations to Mr Olumide AKPATA(NBA President) and other newly sworn-in NBA National Officers ✅✅✅✅ (correct)

CORRECT USAGE:
▪️It was during the NBA National EXCO (NEC) Meeting of 20 August 2020 that NBA took a decision to disinvite Mallam El Rufai. It was not not during the National Officers’ meeting.
▪️Pursuant to the NBA Constitution, NBA National EXCO (NEC) Meeting must hold at least once in every three months. See Article 7(2) of the NBA Constitution.
Thank you.

Respectfully,
Sylvester Udemezue (udems).
Coordinator, English for Lawyers: EFL)
[email protected].