‘MY LIFE OF SERVICE TO THE BAR,’ BY DAMIAN NOSIKE

DAMIAN ONWUBIKO NOSIKE FOR NBA SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

CALL TO SERVICE: MY CURRICULUM VITAE & MANIFESTO

Learned Silks, Seniors & Colleagues.

My name is Damian Onwubiko Nosike. I am a native of Umunehi Obiangwu in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. I am a reputable Owerri-based legal practitioner and an aspirant to the office of the 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

I had my secondary education at Holy Ghost College, Owerri and obtained my Senior School Certificate Examination [SSCE] in 1988. I graduated from the Faculty of Law, Imo State University, Owerri in 1998 where I obtained my Bachelor of Laws Degree. I thereafter attended the Nigerian Law School, Abuja in 1999 and in the year 2000, I was called to the Nigerian Bar. In addition, I obtained a Certificate of Training and Proficiency in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Since after my Call to the Bar, I have remained in active legal practice, with bias for litigation and commercial practice of law. During my National Youth Service between 2001 & 2002, I served as a Corps Counsel in the law firm of U. U. Chukwumaeze, SAN. & Co. Shortly after my service year, I joined the law firm of Ndukwe Nnawuchi, SAN. & Co. where I honed my professional skills between the year 2002 and 2017. During my pupillage at the law firm of Ndukwe Nnawuchi, SAN. & Co., I gradually rose through the ranks to become the Head of Chambers/Managing Partner. In the year 2017, I founded the law firm Damian O. Nosike & Co.(Chidindu Chambers) located in the heart of Owerri, precisely at 59, Njiribeako Street, Owerri where I am currently the Principal and Head of Practice. My practice of law is very robust and cuts across all strata of Courts in Nigeria.

I have selflessly served the Nigerian Bar Association in various capacities, at the local and national levels. I served as the Secretary, Welfare Committee, Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri 2007 – 2009; Secretary, NBA Owerri Bar Center Committee, 2012 – 2014; Imo State Representative, Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) 2015 – 2017; Assistant Secretary, Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) 2017 – 2019; Member, Board of Trustees, Imo State University Alumni Association, 2015 – 2021; Member, Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, 2016 – 2018; Member, Administration of Criminal Justice Law Drafting Committee of Imo State, 2019 – 2020; Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, 2018 – 2020 and NEC Representative for Owerri Branch 2020 till date.

My hobbies include reading, research, philanthropy, travelling and watching Football. I am a Christian of the Catholic faith and have equally served the Church in several capacities where I practically delivered on all assignments entrusted in my care.

I am happily married with kids.

After intense and wide consultations, I, DAMIAN ONWUBIKO NOSIKE, ESQ., hereby present myself as an aspirant for the office of the Second Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association in the forthcoming election slated to hold in July, 2022.

Our dear country is passing through a phase with unique and daunting challenges. These challenges inevitably affect our existence, our economy and our nascent democracy. In all of these, our profession and the rule of law is put to trial. Our dear Association is looked unto in this generational trial to play its role in protecting the rule of law.

Beyond the protection of the rule of law, the welfare of members of the NBA has now become a point of priority for our dear Association. All these and more are what leaders of the NBA will keep in focus while aspiring for any executive office of the Association. On my eligibility with the qualifying requirements of the Nigerian Bar Association Constitution 2015 [as amended in 2021], I am a full and financial member of the Association. I have been a member of the NBA National Executive Council for over 3 years; I am from the Eastern Zone to which the office of the Second Vice President has been zoned from August, 2022 to August, 2024. I am thus, eligible to contest for the said office.

The NBA Constitution by Section 9 (5) b, i – iv clearly provides for the duties of the Second Vice President. My mission is simple. It is to faithfully and diligently perform those duties assigned to the office of the Second Vice President. Those duties are expected to be performed in that capacity for purposes of assisting the office of the President and cooperating with other national officers of the Association. In compliance with the NBA Constitution, part of my mission are as follows:

1. In the absence of the President and First Vice President, I shall dutifully preside at all Meetings of the Association and make representations at events in which the President is empowered to preside or make representations by the provisions of the Constitution;

2. I shall coordinate the activities of all the Branches as may be assigned to the office of the Second Vice President by the National Executive Council or the President and I shall pay periodic visits as necessary and/or required, to the Branches so assigned to the office and shall make periodic reports to the National Executive Council on such visits and in addition, ensure the sustenance of unity among the assigned Branches;

3. I shall encourage and supervise the formation of new Branches within the zonal supervisory jurisdiction of the office in line with the guidelines set out in the NBA Constitution;

4. I shall perform all other duties as the office may be directed by the President or the National Executive Council or the Annual General Meeting or such other duties which the President is unable to perform owing to ill health, old age, absence from the country or any other reason at the material time.

5. I shall deploy my wealth of experience and team spirit in exhibiting loyalty to the Association and working together with other executives to deliver on the mandate of the incoming administration.

I have served the Bar to the best of my time and ability in various capacities and so I understand the workings and practical demands of the office I am aspiring for. I shall dedicate my personal time and energy to the realization of the mission, vision and core statements of the Nigerian Bar Association.

DAMIAN ONWUBIKO NOSIKE, ESQ.

To view the Manifesto, click here.

 

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘MY BLUEPRINT TO PROMOTE LAWYERS’ WELFARE,’ BY LIMAN SALIHU

As part of my vision if elected as 1st VP, I will assist the next President of NBA to Promote Rule of Law which is the cardinal objective of NBA, enhance capacity building programs together with continuous legal education for lawyers with emphasis on IT and related global best practices in the legal profession.

There will also be a special internship program with prestigious law firms both within Nigeria and abroad for mentoring young lawyers which will be code named “Bringing up smart lawyers or Smart lawyers project.”

I will also give special attention to welfare of lawyers to earn decent means of livelihood.

There will also be the need to resuscitate and revitalize the Human Rights Institute of NBA for greater efficiency and to achieve the objectives of NBA.

As a team player, I am best suited for the position of 1st V.P because I am ready to bring in more innovations into NBA that will impact positively on Nigerian lawyers and by implication that of the administration of the next President of NBA.

I humbly refer you to my manifesto as the details of my project are contained in it.

“Together we can make our NBA great”

To view my complete Manifesto, please click here.

Liman Salihu
Candidate for NBA First Vice President

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘HOW I PLAN TO REVOLUTIONIZE 1ST VEEPEE OFFICE,’ BY LIMAN SALIHU

MANIFESTO OF LIMAN SALIHU ESQ FOR THE POSITION OF 1ST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NBA

My learned seniors and Colleagues,

May I humbly covey to you my desire to contest for the office of the 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association in the forthcoming National Officers Elections schedule for 16th day of July, 2022.

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘I WILL ENSURE THAT LAWYERS ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED,’ SAYS ISAAC OGBAH

8th Point on the Manifesto of Isaac Omuta Ogbah as published by ECNBA on its website

“In ensuring that government officials are properly guided in their responsibilities, I will see to it that the leadership of the NBA work with the National Assembly to ensure that every government agency both at the Federal, State and Local levels, have an established legal department.

At these departments, qualified legal practitioners would properly advise government officials and ensure that all their actions are in conformity with the law.

In addition, this step will boost employment opportunities for lawyers as they would be gainfully employed through this avenue.

Let’s all support and vote Isaac Omuta Ogbah and ensure that we see more of our colleagues are gainfully employed.

To view my complete Manifesto, click here 

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘I WILL FOSTER WELFARE OF LAWYERS, BOOST YLF FUNDING,’ SAYS ISAAC OGBAH

1ST POINT ON THE MANIFESTO OF ISSAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC AS PUBLISHED BY ECNBA ON ITS WEBSITE 

“If given the privilege to be the next 3rd Vice President of the NBA, below are some of the aspirations I (ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH) hope to accomplish if elected come July 26, 2022, to wit: I will strive to work with other elected NBA National elected officers as well as NEC members to ensure that the foundation already laid by the past administrations, particularly this present Olumide Akpata led administration regarding the welfare of lawyers is enhanced and improved upon in every way.

“Hence, I sincerely seek the votes of all our learned colleagues in the forthcoming elections scheduled for July, 2022”.

2ND POINT ON THE MANIFESTO OF ISSAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC AS PUBLISHED BY ECNBA ON ITS WEBSITE 

“Aside ensuring that every branch of the NBA nationwide have established YLF in their branches, I will, with the help of other national officers ensure that all the YLF of the various Branches are functional in every sense of it and the aims and objectives of the YLF are fully accomplished. “.

“Presently there is no outlined funding arrangements for YLF at the branches hence their having to majorly depend on whatever financial assistance they might get from their local branches. Hence I plan to ensure, if elected, that a well worked out plan is put in place wherein a given percentage of funding is allocated to YLF both at a the national and at their respective branch levels that would aid in ensuring that the lofty aspirations that led to the creation of YLF is accomplished in every way possible”.

Mr. Isaac Ogbah is a tested and proven leader over the years. His antecedents attests to it and he will surely see to it that this aspect of his manifesto is fulfilled 100%.

#isaacogbahsupport
#letssupportisaacogbah
#isaacogbahfor3rdVPNBA

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA UNVEILS CAMPAIGN VIDEO

FEATURED

Mr. Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka (Democrat), the immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch, Abuja, the sui generis Bar Leader and a candidate for the office of NBA 2nd Vice President in the forthcoming National NBA Election 2022, has launched his core 2 mandates video manifesto in a superb and apt manner.

Click here to watch: https://fb.watch/dYmNMmc5Fk/ 

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘I’M EAGER TO HEAR FROM YOU,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS STAKEHOLDERS

Good afternoon learned silks, distinguished learned seniors and fellow colleagues of this noble legal profession.

My name is Isaac Omuta Ogbah, a candidate for the 3rd Vice President of the NBA in the forthcoming July 16th NBA National elections.

And as a precondition for campaign, all candidates for the various elective positions were mandated to submit their respective CV’s as well as their manifestos to ECNBA for approval and which have been since uploaded into the ECNBA official website.

Kindly use the above link to access all relevant information about myself and manifesto as published by ECNBA, while we look forward to ECNBA publishing other campaign materials that I submitted to them for necessary publication.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding any question, suggestion and enquiry regarding my 3rd Vice President of the NBA candidature. I solicit your support in every way possible towards making me the next 3rd Vice President of the NBA come the 16th day of July, 2022.

I celebrate you now and always. God bless you all.

Isaac Omuta Ogbah

https://www.ecnba.ng/ogbah-isaac-omuta 

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘WELFARE OF YOUNG LAWYERS MY TOP PRIORITY,’ SAYS GADZAMA

FEATURED

“THE WELFARE OF YOUNG LAWYERS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO ME” JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN DECLARES IN HIS MANIFESTO VYING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE NBA PRESIDENT

On Friday, June 17, 2022, the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) unveiled the manifesto of Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN who is contesting for the office of the NBA President in the forthcoming elections.

The Foundation of the Learned Silk’s manifesto is continuity and innovation. It encapsulates the eminent silk’s vision to take the Nigerian Bar Association to the next level. A level of greatness, effectiveness, transparency and accountability. Some of the Learned Silk’s intentions for the bar as contained in his manifesto are:

1. Improving young lawyers’ remuneration;

2. Inclusion of the Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum as a NEC Member;

3. Mentorship for Young Lawyers;

4. Improving Lawyers’ Entitlements by Paying Practising Fees;

5. Stopping the Infiltration of the Legal Profession by Non-Lawyers;

6. Ensuring the Security of Lawyers;

7. Improving Lawyers’ Access to Finance;

8. Inclusion of Corporate/ In House Counsel in Affairs of the NBA;

9. Creating an education fund for lawyers;

10. Improving the Welfare of Law Teachers;

11. Improving the Welfare of Law Officers;

12. Ensuring Speedy Dispensation of Justice;

13. Promoting a Tech-Savvy Judiciary;

14. Protecting the Interest of Lawyers with Special Needs;

15. Sexual and Gender-Based Violence/ Promotion of Gender Balance;

16. Ensuring Electoral Reforms; and

17. Promotion of Public Interest Litigation.

Indeed, it is evident that the Learned Silk’s administration will lead to an all-inclusive bar wherein the legal profession and its members will thrive.

For more information please visit https://gadzama.com/

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘I WILL ASSIST NBA PRESIDENT TO FOSTER RULE OF LAW,’ VOWS LIMAN SALIHU

FEATURED

The cardinal objective of the N.B.A is to promote the Rule of Law. I will at all times assist the NBA President in ensuring the promotion of the Rule of Law, Good Governance, Equity, Fairness and Justice prevail in our society.

Thus, the primary responsibility of the 1st Vice President is to assist the NBA President and any other role that may be assigned by the President.

My vision if elected as the 1st Vice President while working with the President of the NBA is:

 To uphold the standard and reputation of the legal profession while entrenching global best practice as the core values of any lawyer in Nigeria.

 To create a National Data Base for lawyers in Nigeria and all human Rights cases in Courts across the Country

 To resuscitate and re-engineer the NBA Human Rights Institute for greater efficiency.

 To hold National Summit for Young Lawyers in Nigeria on Matters Generally affecting our Practice, Opportunities in the Legal Profession, Human Rights, Gender Based issues and remuneration of Young Lawyers.

 To ensure that NBA partners or collaborate with Civil Societies for the promotion of Human Rights in Nigeria and by so doing strengthen the Human Rights posture of the Association.

 There will be Continuous Legal Education and Capacity Building Programmes for lawyers with more emphasis in ICT

 To introduce National Pro bono Project to assist the indigent and less privileged in our society in civil and criminal matters for access to justice and speedy dispensation of cases in Nigeria.

 NBA intervention programs for young lawyers.

 Endowment programs for lawyers and above all empowerment of lawyers to have decent means of livelihood.

 To move the NBA to initiate voluntary six (6)months to one (1) year internship program for young lawyers with prestigious law firms in Nigeria and abroad which will be code named Bringing Up Smart Lawyers in Nigeria or the Smart Lawyers Project

Thanks

Liman Salihu Esq

Former Chairman, NBA Lokoja

To download the complete Manifesto, click here.

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

ECNBA UNVEILS CANDIDATES’ MANIFESTOS FOR ELECTION

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has unveiled the manifestos of all the candidates for the forthcoming NBA Elections.

While the electoral umpire unveiled the manifestos of candidates for the National offices under the heading, “FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICES,” candidates for the position of NBA Representative at the General Council of the Bar were unveiled under the heading, “FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION OF NBA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR.”

The unveiling gives the electorate an opportunity to closely study the candidates with a view to choosing their preferred candidates for the election scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

CITY LAWYER recalls that several aspirants were disqualified by the electoral committee. All the decisions were upheld by the NBA National Election Appeals Committee tribunal.

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

‘I HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY ECNBA,’ SAYS TAIDI

FEATURED

Dear Distinguished Colleagues,

Recall that on the 14th of April, 2022 in furtherance of my deep commitment to galvanize the Bar to live up to its challenges and the even more grievous challenges bedeviling our nation, I made a commitment and that commitment has now been certified as fit and proper by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

I therefore thank Almighty God for enabling my availability to serve, and our esteemed courageous supporters and would-be supporters for patiently and painstakingly keeping step with us.

Indeed, it has not and will not be an easy task to consolidate on the gains so far achieved and with vigour surpass every performance so far experienced, but it is possible.

In the coming days when ECNBA will unveil the manifesto for the well being of distinguished colleagues and total liberation of the Bar, each one will be required to share their lofty ideas with others for a focused, truly unified and dignified Bar.

I thank you all most sincerely and I am more than confident that together we win.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

NBA VP: DOTUN ADETUNJI UNVEILS ROADMAP, VOWS TO REVIVE GANI FAWEHINMI AWARD

A leading candidate for the post of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) First Vice President, Mr. Adedotun Adetunji has unveiled his plan for an “effective, dynamic, innovative and relevant” discharge of the duties of the office if elected in the forthcoming NBA Elections.

In a Manifesto published by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) and titled “Manifesto/Action plan for superlative selfless service to the Bar of Adedotun Habeeb Adetunji, Esq for the office of First Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), 2020 – 2022,” Adetunji vowed to make efforts to resuscitate the Gani Fawehinmi Award for Human Rights and Social Justice “thereby restoring the primacy of the NBA in Human Rights and Social Justice Advocacy in Nigeria.”

According to him, “The Office of FIRST VICE PRESIDENT of the NBA can be as effective, dynamic, innovative and relevant as its occupant. My Manifesto/Programme of Action is anchored on the dual provisions of: Section 3(1) – (14) particularly (1) – (8), (10) – (14) thereof and Section 5 (b)(i) – (iv) of the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), 2019 (as amended).”

The former NBA Ikorodu Branch Chairman and longstanding NBA-NEC Member stated that “While Section 3 (1) – (14) of the NBA Constitution (supra) articulates the aims and objectives of our great and noble Association, Section 5 (b) (i) – (iv) lucidly and meticulously outlines the four Constitutional duties of the First Vice President of the NBA.”

Listing the roles, he said: “These are: The First Vice President:
I. Shall in the absence of the president preside at all meetings in which the president is empowered to preside by the provisions of this Constitution;
II. Shall be responsible for the coordination of the activities of the group of Branches as may be assigned to him/her by the National Executive Committee or the President and shall pay periodic visits as necessary and/are required to the Branches so assigned to him/her and shall make periodic reports to the National Executive Committee on such visits;
III. Shall encourage and supervise the formation of new Branches within his/her zonal supervisory jurisdiction in line with the guidelines set out in this Constitution.
IV. Shall perform all other duties as he/she may be directed by the President or the National Executive Committee or the Annual General Meeting or which the president is unable to perform owing to ill-health, old age, absence from the country or any other reason.”

Vowing that he would diligently discharge the duties, Adetunji said: “I pledge and assure my faithful commitments to the foregoing Constitutional imperatives.”

In an indication that he has given some thought to his quest for the position of First Vice President, Adetunji also outlined other initiatives that he would pursue if elected. His words: “In addition, I look forward to convincing and moving the President, other National Officers and NEC to approve and execute the following nine (9) progressive and beneficial programmes for all Nigerian Legal Practitioners, namely:
1. Supporting or/and Standing in for the President and supporting other National Officers of the Association in the performance of their duties.
2. Effective Monitoring, Supervision and Coordination of all the Branches of the NBA to be assigned to me.
3. Promoting Healthy Competition and Partnerships among such Branches through different initiatives as may be approved by the President, other National Officers and NEC.
4. Establishment of Co-operative Societies as well as Lawyers Housing Estates in all interested branches, especially any group of Branches assigned to me.
5. Resuscitating the Gani Fawehinmi Award for Human Rights and Social Justice thereby restoring the primacy of the NBA in Human Rights and Social Justice Advocacy in Nigeria.
6. Establishing a Memorable UN International Human Rights Day observance by the NBA annually on December 10.
7. Effective Partnership and Support for all the Vice Chairmen of all the Branches to ensure effective and efficient promotion, protection and enforcement of Pro Bono Services/Schemes, Human Rights, Labour Rights, Consumer Rights and Social Justice Advocacy in Nigeria, including an all-inclusive amendment of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
8. Collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, Civil Society Groups and other NGOs (including International Development Partners) in the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights and social justice in our polity, and
9. Effective and Efficient Discharge of other Statutory and Allied Duties of the office of the 1st Vice President of the NBA.”

A consummate Bar-man and legal practitioner of about 25 years standing, Adetunji has been an NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) member from 2014 to date, a member of the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the Governor of Lagos State, and the Principal Counsel of Dotun Adetunji & Co.

With an active practice spanning Banking, Oil and Gas, Telecommunications, Maritime, Real Estate and Aviation Industries, the firm’s practice areas include Environmental and Human Rights Law, Immigration, and Real Estate & Property Consultancy. Adetunji has substantial experience in litigation (having especially litigated criminal and civil matters up to Supreme Court), negotiation and claims settlement, debt recovery, Capital Market transactions, Joint Ventures and technical service agreements. His specialist areas are in local and international money market operations, banking and insurance arrangements, and property conveyancing.

Having attended all NBA Conferences from 1997 till date as well as the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, USA in 2013, Adetunji’s professional affiliations include membership of the Institute of Directors (IoD), International Bar Association (IBA) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration, and was a member of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law Steering Committee (SPIDEL) 2017 under the Chairmanship of Prof. Chidi Odinkalu (2017).

Adetunji has a track record of enduring service to the NBA. He was a Member of team appointed by the NBA to hold watching brief in the suit of FGN v. HON. JUSTICE RITA OFILI-AJUMOGOBIA & ORS (2017). He has held several positions in NBA Ikorodu Branch including Chairman, Membership and Allied Matters Committee (2016-2017); Chairman, Law Week Committee (2016-2017); Chairman, NBA Ikorodu, Branch (2014-2016), and Member, Extended EXCO (2012-2014). He has been Chairman, Bye Law Review Committee (2012-2013); Chairman, Legal Practitioners Remuneration Committee (2010-2012); Alternate Chairman, Disciplinary Committee (2010-2012); Chairman, Human Rights and Pro Bono Committee,(2010-2012), and Vice Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch (2010-2012).

Deeply involved in national and community service, Adetunji was a Member of the Lagos State Government Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy (2016- 2019); Member, Governing Council of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (2014-2017); Legal Adviser, Community Policing Forum (CPF) for Ikorodu Division, Lagos State (2020); long-standing Ex Officio Member, Community Development Council (C.D.C.) Igbogbo/Bayeku L.C.D.A., Ikorodu, Lagos State (2014 till date) and Chairman, Agbele/Oreyo Community Development Association, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Ikorodu, Lagos State (2007 till date).

Meanwhile, Adetunji’s political fortunes have brightened with his endorsement by vibrant Bar activist and young lawyer, Clementina E. Ukiri. Throwing her weight behind Adetunji’s bid, Ukiri said:

The NBA President needs a 1st Vice who is loyal and can fit into the shoes of a President when the need be.

One who understands fraternity and how to carry everyone along.

One who knows the way of our courts in enforcing human rights, lawyers rights and upholding the NBA constitution.

One who have access to the right people to ensuring a smooth administration by corporate engagements and negotiations.

One who is easy going as an assistant.

One with a listening ears ready to assist others at all times.

One who understands the protocols and internal workings of the NBA as a body.

Gentlemen, that person is Adedotun Habeeb Adetunji, Esq. former Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch.

I endorse and stand by him.”

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

ECNBA PUBLISHES CANDIDATES’ MANIFESTOS ON NBA WEBSITE

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has published the manifestos of candidates for the forthcoming NBA Elections on the association’s website, exactly 21 days prescribed by the NBA Constitution (as amended). The manifestos are hosted here.

Paragraph 2.3(h) of the Second Schedule to the NBA Constitution provides that “The Electoral Committee shall collate all materials, arrange them in alphabetical order without regard for the position being sought and publish them in an electronic Election Magazine to be hosted on the NBA website at least twenty-one (21) days before the election.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that the electoral committee had in its ECNBA STATEMENT NO. 013 directed the candidates “to submit an A4 size copy of his/her curriculum vitae (of not more than 4 pages), a comprehensive manifesto and other campaign materials (all in electronic form) on or before 6:00PM on Monday 6th July 2020, for upload on the NBA website.” It added: “For the avoidance of doubt, campaigns can only be carried out by publication of campaign materials supplied to the ECNBA to be hoisted on the NBA website. Travelling across the country to solicit for votes is prohibited.”

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.