Dear esteemed colleagues,

As we gather to commemorate the auspicious World Charity Day, I am honored to highlight the steadfast commitment of the Proactive Bar to the welfare and well-being of the members of the Nigerian Bar Association.

While charity and welfare may seem distinct, they are united by a fundamental principle – the culture of caring for one another and ensuring that our colleagues are adequately catered for. It is in this spirit that the Proactive Bar has introduced the groundbreaking initiative of providing free digital signatures to protect and facilitate the electronic transactions that our members handle.

This innovative welfare package is a testament to the Proactive Bar’s keen understanding of the evolving digital landscape, where technology and artificial intelligence are transforming the very core of business transactions across the globe. By equipping our members with this essential working tool, the administration has demonstrated its foresight and unwavering dedication to empowering the legal profession.

In addition to this transformative initiative, the Proactive Bar has also taken decisive steps to address other critical challenges facing the legal community in Nigeria. The establishment of the NBA National Litigation Committee and the Citizens Liberty Committee aims to restore the pride and dignity of lawyers, who have too often found themselves at the mercy of law enforcement agencies. This move is a crucial stride towards safeguarding the rights and interests of both our members and the citizens of our beloved country. The Proactive Bar is determined to restore dignity to the legal profession and put an end to the harassment and intimidation of lawyers by law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, the Proactive Bar recognizes the importance of adapting to the ever-changing global trends. To this end, the establishment of the NBA Constitutional Amendment Committee will ensure that our association remains at the forefront of progress, continuously evolving to meet the demands of the modern era, and above all to ensure that the NBA works for every lawyer in a proactive manner.

Addressing the pressing issue of conflicting court decisions, the Proactive Bar has set up the Adjudicator Review Committee and the Justice Sector Reform Committee. These initiatives will work tirelessly to proffer solutions to conflicting judgments, and also advocate for justice sector reforms, all with the goal of enhancing the ease of access to justice and restoring the public’s faith in our judicial system and the legal profession.

Recognizing that the key to our collective growth lies in continuous learning, the Proactive Bar has also prioritized the rejuvenation of the Continuing Legal Education Institute. As Albert Einstein wisely stated, “once you stop learning, you start dying,” and it is in recognizing the profound truth of this quote that the Proactive Bar is ensuring that the welfare of lawyers in this regard is catered for. This strategic move will equip our members with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving legal landscape.

Lastly, in supporting and giving credence to the recent Supreme Court decision on local government autonomy, the Proactive Bar has established the Local Governments Monitoring Committee. This committee will not only ensure compliance with the Apex Court’s ruling but also serve as a watchdog, guaranteeing that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots level.

As we reflect on these transformative initiatives that will safeguard the legal profession, while boosting the income of lawyers, let us be inspired by the Proactive Bar’s unwavering and uncommon commitment to the welfare of lawyers and the progress of our nation. Together, we can harness our collective expertise and drive to restore the Nigerian Bar Association to its rightful place of pride and honor.

God bless Nigeria, and God bless the NBA.
NYADA AUTA
NBA National Welfare Secretary