The NBA Women Forum held a press conference on the 15th of March, 2024 at Jackson, Etti and Edu, Victoria Island Lagos. The conference which commenced at about 10:55am was to share with world the amazing plans for its upcoming Event. It started with the introduction of members and Executives of the NBA Women Forum present which includes the Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, Mrs. Folashade Alli SAN, the chairperson of the planning committee of the 4th annual general conference, Mrs. Ifeoma and Mrs. Kemi Afesojaye in charge of the Logistics of the conference, Miss. Gloria Ireka, the Deputy Head of the publicity and Media Committee and Blessing Udoh a member of the committee. The Press men ably representing Legal Naija, STV, The nation amongst others present also introduced themselves after which a welcome address was given by the Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum in person of Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha.
The chairperson officially opened the pre- event Press conference by giving an overview about the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) women forum. She went down history and reminded us that the NBA Women Forum was first formed in 2007 but went moribund in 2014. The forum was re-inaugurated in 2019 under the leadership of Paul Usoro SAN. Since the forum was re-inaugurated in 2019, its core function has been to ensure that the needs of the Nigerian women Lawyers are catered for. The forum is an arm of the NBA has been able to exercise its duties through organizing seminars, training programmes, mentorship, workshops and collaboration with sister bodies internationally and locally. The forum seeks to address the predominant issues revolving around the career of female lawyers such as stereotypes and bias women face. The forum has a governing council and 11 committees to execute its duties to the women lawyers. The forum also has 125 NBAWF branch facilitators and state lead in all the 36 states including the FCT in a bid to reach the grassroots level and to be able to empower Nigeria female lawyers.
Chairperson stated that the month of March was specifically chosen for the conference because it is the month where different associations all around the world organize women programmes. She further stated that the theme of this year’s conference is “Beyond the Balance Sheet, Redefining Success for Women in Law”. This theme was carefully selected because success for a female lawyer may mean different thing, it goes beyond financial success. It could mean success in leadership and mentorship, thus the need to explore all the possible means a Nigerian female lawyer can experience success. The keynote speaker for the event is Mrs. Bolanle Austin Peters, who is the founder of BAP Productions and Terra culture and also a lawyer who has revolutionalise the creative industry in Nigeria and the global scene. Other dignitaries who would be gracing the conference include Funke Adekoya, SAN and Dr. Olusin who is the CEO of the Bank of Industry. The chairperson of the NBA Women Forum concluded her opening remarks by assuring all female lawyers a conference that has been carefully and effectively planned for ad urged all female lawyers to register for the conference which is scheduled to hold on the 21st and 22nd of March, 2024 at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos.
Mrs. Folashade Alli SAN, the Chairman of the Planning Committee reiterated the dates of the conference and further clarified the venues for the conference activities. In her address, she stated that the Pre- conference cocktail will hold at the Boat club on Awolowo road Ikoyi Lagos and will begin at 5pm on the 21st of March, 2024. She stated that the forum is expecting delegates across the states in Nigeria. According to her, the conference will be holding on the 22nd of March, 2024. The committee has put together 27 speakers and 5 moderators for the conference. There will be 6 plenary sessions alongside the keynote speech. She further spoke to the theme of the Conference and quoted the words of Mitchelle Obama who stated that success is not just the amount of money you have in your pocket but it is about the impacts you make in the life of others which is the goal of the NBA Women Forum.
The committee chairman Mrs. Folashade Alli SAN also stated that the registration on the day of the conference starts by 8am. The first session of the Conference speaks about how dowe have a professional ecosystem for the female lawyer. Seasoned Lawyers like Learned Silk Mr Seni Adio, Mrs. Mobola Tejuosho a partner in AO2 law among others. The second session of the conference is centered on how to grow businesses and all you need to know about people management in growng a law firm, for this session the committee has selected seasoned lawyers like Mrs. George Etomi SAN, Mrs. Kofo Joseph, the chairman of Aluko and Oyebode, Oluwatosin Olaseinde and other speakers. This session seeks to enlighten and also assist those who Aare struggling with running their law firm.
The third session focuses on the role of technology in advancing gender equality and will be graced by speakers like Mr. Ope Olugasa of Law Pavilion, Rotimi Ogunyemi among others. The fourth session is about Elegance, Etiquettes and Panache, to address the issue of personal branding for female lawyers. Aisha Lemu, Funmi Roberts who are iconic females in the legal industry are the panelists to watch out for this session. The 5th session centres on health, work and everything around it in a bid to address the issue of work life balance. Speakers for this session include Beatrice Inyog from the United Nations Women, Fatima Muhammad, Uwa Oyiku and Dr. Yusuf Kadiri, A MENTAL health specialist. The last session will be addressing the definition of success for a female young lawyer, speakers for this session includes honourable Justice Ipaye, Professor Bamgbose SAN, Bidemi Ademola, Legal Director in Guinness and The committee chairman Mrs. Folashade Alli SAN. The chairman of the committee concluded by assuring the delegates that the conference promises to be engaging and entertaining and that w all look forward to having a great conference. She further stated that there would be side attractions like health checks, enough food, lots of dancing and a gala night to wrap up the conference.
Mrs. Kemi spoke about the logistics that has been put in place for the conference. She stated that the committee has partnered with hotels within the environs such as Oriental hotel Four point by Sheraton, Presken hotel among others close to the conference venue to provide accommodation for delegates outside and within Lagos at discounted rates. The committee has also made provision for shuttles to move delegates and speakers from the airport to the venue. She also reiterated that alongside educative sessions there would be entertainment session too.
Mrs. Ifeoma rounded up by addressing registration for the conference. The registration is in two categories, the young lawyers’ category who will be paying a sum of 10,000 naira and senior lawyers who are to pay 20,000 naira. The registration is to be concluded a day before the commencement of the conference in order to ensure all the planning are put in place and ensure a wonderful conference. She said the turnout for registration has been good but they want more people to register. Payments can be made via www.nbawomenforum.org.ng. She concluded by thanking all the sponsors that have donated to ensure a successful conference while also appealing that more sponsors will be appreciated in a bid to give a world class conference.
The chairperson of the women forum also commended the support of the NBA chairman and stated that the chairman will be there to give an opening speech. Pressmen were then allowed to ask questions regarding the conference and the women reform. Mr. Austin, Editor of Newayalogue asked the committee members what has been put in place and progress that has been made regarding leveraging technology to advance the career of female lawyers as that was the theme for the last conference which held at Abuja last year. The chairperson addressed this that the forum has been able to leverage on virtual platforms to organize seminars and events. The forum has also employed the virtual meeting option. The forum has also been able to reach out and collaborate with international organizations virtually. She further stated that the committee has plans in place to send female lawyers abroad for trainings. He also directed a question to the chairperson about what young lawyers stand to gain in the conference. The chairperson addressed this question by stating that there is a discount for young lawyers, provision for law students from universities in Lagos and the Nigerian Law School in a bid to ensuring the students are not left out in the discussions.
The representative of Legal Naija asked the committee about what is been done to reach as many female lawyers as possible especially newly called lawyers. The Chairperson responded by stating that the forum liaises with NBA to send out mailing list to lawyers, the forum has young lawyers in its committees in a bid to reach more people and the forum has taken it upon itself to go to the Nigerian law school during call to bar to collate information of female newly called lawyers.
The press conference was formally closed by a closing remark made by Blessing Udoh.