In this article, MR ANTHONY OMAH WAMAH, an Assistant Director in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, a former Chairman of Law Officers Association of Nigeria (Rivers State Chapter) and a Member of the NBA Judiciary Committee, decries the “discrimination” against the Official Bar in matters of NBA Elections and ‘stamp and seal’

It has been my concern that we long to have a better Nigerian Bar Association and as a member, we should collectively work for the overall good of the Association and similarly, the Association too should promote our welfare, wellbeing, our benefits and overall good of all members and not only a few persons.

I have been a member of Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association for over 17 years and have taken very great steps in ensuring that the Bar adopts global best practices even at the NBA National, I have been privileged to advise so many national officers – especially the incoming President, Secretary, Vice President, Welfare officers etc – on how best to promote happiness for all lawyers who belong to the Bar Association and pay their practicing fees and branch dues.

One sure way is to ensure that the welfare of members is paramount; and if we seek the best interest of members – whether of the private Bar, Official Bar, Corporate etc – everybody will attend. The BEST INTEREST OF MEMBERS SHOULD BE THE PURSUIT OF NBA EITHER AT THE BRANCH LEVEL AND NATIONAL LEVEL.

I must commend the various innovations towards National WELFARE, especially the enlarged/ enhanced National Health Insurance by Mr. Olumide Anthony Akpata, former NBA PRESIDENT and subsequent enrollment by Y. C. MAIKYAU, SAN. I look forward to a better performance this year and next year from the would-be president of the Nigerian Bar Association.

I must commend the NEW NBA AGC from 2021, the Mentorship scheme, NBA ICLE, NBA FREE MEDICAL SCHEME AT THE LAST YEAR CONFERENCE, employment scheme, opportunities for the disabled women and children and young lawyers ( Law Pavilion Primsol) and all the legal resources, interventions when members are assaulted by military and paramilitary, the NBA REMUNERATION ORDER and committee, the enhanced financial savings and pursuit of integrity and independence of the Bar.

I must also commend the improvement in the NBA AGC for some years now, and I pray that this year will be better than last year in all ramifications.

All branches of the NBA should protect their members against all harmful actions when they are discharging their lawful duties. Branches can compliment the National Health Insurance scheme for their members. The branches too can establish a co-operative society to assist their members. Money paid as welfare dues should be channeled to the benefit of members.

I want to humbly and sincerely draw the attention of the NBA NATIONAL – especially our President and Secretary – to the issue of discrimination against those in the official and corporate Bar with respect to “Stamp and Seal” and holding the office of the President, Secretary and 1st Vice President.

I wish to say that rather than breaking the Bar into units or parts, let us come together and promote a robust, global bar where love, unity and overall good of everybody will be achieved.

Together, we will all make our dear NBA the best for all.

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