NBA-AGC 2022: Every lawyer that upholds the rule of law is a hero, says Chimamanda

The well-attended opening ceremony of this year’s Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association was indeed remarkable, featuring thousands of lawyers and other notable personalities.

Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights of today.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata delivered the opening remarks, and thereafter, the Attorney General of Lagos State (Representing the Lagos State Governor) highlighted the sacred duties of legal practitioners and how the theme of the conference resonates with the roles and duties of legal practitioners in his speech.

Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, the Chief Judge of Lagos State (representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria) was also present at the conference. During his speech, he restated the connection between the Bench and the Bar and emphasized the need for ethical uprightness of lawyers and the need to also reinforce the tradition and bring respect back to the profession.

While delivering her keynote address, award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie expressed her admiration for the profession and addressed the etymology and conceptualisation of the theme of the conference. She cited many examples of tyranny in the country ranging from excesses of governments to utilizing the instrumentality of the law to oppress fellow citizens. She highlighted the view of the common man that justice can be bought and instances where lawyers compromise cases of their clients and stated the need to address these issues at their very root. Stressing the need for legal practitioners to adopt technology in the administration of Justice, she concluded by enjoining lawyers to be compassionate.

“Being a hero doesn’t have to be colourful. Every lawyer that acts to uphold the rule of law is a hero” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Presidential candidates in the 2023 elections: Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP); and Senator Kashim Shettima of All Progressives Congress (APC), also graced the stage at the event which took place at the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

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