I am delighted to extend my heartfelt felicitations to the entire members of the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch on their Annual Law Conference scheduled to hold from 14th – 20th June, 2025 with the theme *Reimaging the Practice of Law, Ethics, Innovation and The Future of Legal Services*.
The annual Law Week is an essential tradition of the Nigerian Bar Association which provides an opportunity for lawyers to come together to interact, network, and share thoughts and valuable insight on issues that are important to the NBA and the entire Legal Profession.
I would have loved to be present with you to share my thoughts on this very inspiring subject, but for the Lagos Branch’s resolution that non-branch members cannot feature in the law week technical sessions.
I recall, also, the resistance by some members of the Branch to my being one of the panelists at the Young Lawyers Summit.
Lagos Branch is the Premier Branch in Nigeria and with about a hundred years of existence, should lead by example and be way above blinkered divisiveness and narrow perception that may limit the opportunity for members to have a broader view.
I now think it is necessary to remind us that the Nigerian Bar Association is one and we must at all times be open-minded enough to avail all our members equal opportunities at all our events.
That is the tradition of our noble Profession, which expects us to be accommodating and hospitable to visiting counsel, even, when you’re on the opposing side in court.
We should not lose ourselves to unnecessary and unhealthy competition, division and discrimination that runs contrary to the traditions and values of the Nigerian Bar Association and against the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While I will not be able to attend to share fellowship with you on account of the said policy of the Branch, I look forward to continue to engage with you on other platforms and fora.
I wish you a successful Annual Law Conference and fruitful deliberations with visible impacts on the branch and its members.Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, FCIArb (UK), FCIMC, Life Bencher.Past General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association.
