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New York State Bar Women In Law To Participate In NBAWF IWD Inaugural Virtual Conference

by Legalnaija | Mar 23, 2021 | Uncategorized

The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) is pleased to announce its upcoming conference scheduled for Wednesday, 24^th March 2021. The conference, the first by the NBAWF will feature an opening ceremony, five themed panel discussions and a training collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network.

The conference will begin at 9am with opening remarks by Her Excellency, Anna Ishaku, first lady of Taraba State; Terry Mazur, Chair of the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association; Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigeria Bar Association; Hon. Justice Roli Harriman and Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The keynote address will be delivered by Oby Ezekwesili, Public Analyst and Former Vice President, World Bank’s Africa Region.

The first session captioned “Leadership, Board Participation and Equal Representation in Governance: The Anomaly of Sexism” will feature Taiwo Olusesi, Registrar/CEO ICSAN; Joyce Oduah, General Secretary, NBA; Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, MD, Fidelity Bank; Nkechi Onyenso, Facilitator, Governance and Institution Policy Commission, NESG; Rimini Makama, Director, Microsoft, and will be moderated by Nsidibe Aideyan, Secretary, NBA Women Forum.

The second session on “Gender Diversity and Unity in the Legal Profession: Working Together to Normalise Equality” will highlight the success stories of women silks and the role of female judges in the development of the judiciary, among others. The discussion will be led by Chief Folake Solanke, SAN and moderated by Folashade Alli, Head Advocacy Committee, NBAWF and Principal Partner, Folashade Alli & Associates. Other discussants are Justice Roli Harriman, Aisha Alao, General Counsel, Notore, Funke Agbor, SAN and Rashidat Mohammed.

The third session themed, “The Future is Female: Actions for Accelerating the Growth of Female Lawyers In-House” aims to address the wage disparity between men and women of equal proficiency, how to negotiate for higher pay, and opportunities in the gig-economy for women. This panel moderated by Ayotola Jagun, Chief Compliance/Company Secretary, Oando Plc will feature as discussants Bidemi Ademola, General Counsel, West Africa, Unilever; Seye Kosoko, Company Secretary, FBN Holdings; Ifeoma Utah, General Manager, Legal Services, MTN Nigeria, and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Partner, Africa Law Practice.

The fourth session on Gender Bias: Challenging Stereotypes and Reinforcing Diversity and Inclusion focuses on gender equity in academic careers, sexual harassment in the legal profession and the role of female senior lawyer. This discussion will be led by Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and moderated by Dr. Foluke Dada, Council Member, NBAWF. Other discussants are Prof Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, Chairperson NBAWF and Social Justice Administrator, University of Ibadan; Inime Chinwenwo Aguma, Commissioner for Social Welfare & Rehabilitation, Rivers state; Ummahani Amin, Partner, MetLaw and African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) and Seni Adio, SAN, Managing Partner, Copley Partners and Former Chairman, NBA Section on Business Law.

The fifth session themed, Leading the Charge for Gender Development: Role of the Nigerian Female Lawyer aims to discuss certain paradigm shifts required for the dynamics of equality in the workplace, maternal health, and the path to partnership for the young female lawyer. Discussants in this panel include Stella Duru, Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo; Yejide Osunkeye, Principal, YBO Legal; Dolapo Kukoyi, Partner, Detail Solicitors; Ozofu Ogiemudia, Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and Perenami Momodu, Partner, AELEX. This panel will be moderated by Chinyere Okorocha, Vice Chair, NBAWF and Partner, Jackson, Etti & Edu.

Furthermore, on Thursday, there will be an exclusive special training for young female lawyers, organized by the United Nations Global Compact Network (UNGC) on The Women Empowerment Principles’ Gender Gap Analysis Tool (GAT). The training will be led by Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director, UNGC, Nigeria; Elizabeth Anna Resch, Adviser, UNGC and Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose (SAN).

#NBAWF #ChoosetoChallenge

Click Here to Register: http://nbawomenforum.org.ng/iwd-virtual-conference

Why Lawyers Must Reject Adoption As Basis For Voting

by Legalnaija | Feb 1, 2018 | Uncategorized

The concept of adoption of
political candidates is not new to Nigerian politics, neither is the concept of
zoning and most recently, the latest inclusion to our national vocabulary, the word
“marginalization”, the treatment of a person,
group, or concept as insignificant or peripheral.

The concept of adoption of
political candidates in party politics has always met stiff opposition from
members of such party. Such adoptions are agreed not to represent the true wish
of stakeholders but an enforcement of candidates on the voting populace. Under
such instances, merit is not necessarily the motivation behind the selection
but factors such as tribal sentiments, favoritism, God-fatherism and loyalty
are usually the determining factors.

In a highly sensitive
political landscape like ours, it is agreed that everyone be given a fair chance
and opportunity on the political field. This is justice. It therefore should
come as a surprise when injustice is now proposed within the Bar. It must sound
as a warning when tribal sentiments and marginalization raises its head under the
watch of members of the Bar and like an enemy aircraft carrier in the time of
war, it must be brought down.

In the race for President
of the Nigerian Bar, the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) proposes to adopt a sole
candidate, an action that will marginalize others and is not being propelled by
the idea of putting the best candidate forward.

Moreso, according to the
EBF Constitution, the guidelines set for such candidate include;

1.
Every Aspirant Shall Submit The Following Letters To The Screening Committee As
Notice Of Aspiration:

A.
Expression of Interest Letter

B.
Letter of Allegiance to Be Bound By EBF Decision

C.
Letter of Good Standing from the Aspirants Local NBA Branch, Duly Signed By the
Chairman and Secretary of The Branch.

2.
Every Aspirant Shall Submit To The Screening Committee, Copies Of All Documents
Qualifying The Aspirant For The Office Being Vied For In Accordance With The
NBA Constitution.

3.
For Any Aspirant To Qualify For EBF Adoption, Such Aspirant Must Have Been Duly
Qualified Pursuant To Article 11(2) Of The Constitution And Shall Submit To The
Screening Committee, Copies Of The EBF Receipt For The Preceding Two Years
Dues.

Members of the Nigerian Bar
will be voting for the office of President of the Bar and other national
positions within the association. Lawyers will choose their representatives
according to who is best for the job. It will also be counter – productive should
the EBF treat any and other candidates as insignificant or peripheral. Officials
of the NBA, hold the office in trust for the members of the NBA, the Association belongs to its members and everyone should have equal
opportunity to add value to the Bar from their professional and co-operate perspectives.

The leaders of the Bar
must be candidates, all lawyers, whether young or old will respect. EBF SHOULD ADOPT ALL THE
CANDIDATES FROM THE EAST AND BURY THE IDEA OF ADOPTION OF A SOLE CANDIDATE. Let
all the candidates be embraced equally so that EBF can boldly claim the
eventual winner as its own.

@Legalnaija