A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afam Osigwe, has taken his oath of office and been inaugurated as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Osigwe will lead the association alongside other newly sworn-in national officers for the next two years. He succeeds the former president, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yakubu Maikyau.
During his inaugural speech at the swearing-in ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, Osigwe praised his opponents, Tobenna Erojikwe and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chukwukwa Ikwazom, for their conduct during the election campaign. He invited them to join him in moving the association forward. “I extend a hand of fellowship to them to join me in moving the association forward,” Osigwe said.
Osigwe promised to lead an inclusive NBA that would not only keep the association united but also push it to new heights. He assured that the NBA under his leadership would hold both the federal and state governments accountable and ensure their policies deliver good governance to the people.
“We will strive to ensure that Government responds appropriately to the challenges of security of lives and properties, respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, the provision of gainful employment, and all the basic amenities of life, especially food, shelter, clothing, qualitative and affordable education, healthcare, and other infrastructure, as well as access to justice,” he stated.
He also emphasized that the NBA would be active in speaking up on issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. “Under our leadership, the NBA shall be vocal and constantly speak up on issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. The NBA shall constructively engage with the various tiers of government and other stakeholders by presenting proposals and blueprints for dealing with issues as they arise,” Osigwe added.
The inauguration marked the conclusion of the NBA’s week-long annual general conference, which began on August 23rd. As of the time of this report, Osigwe was still delivering his inaugural speech.
