PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, OON, Life Bencher, has endorsed the NBA Members First agenda unveiled by the newly inaugurated President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, describing her inaugural address as “unifying, comprehensive, and transformational.”
In a statement issued in support of Badejo-Okusanya’s inaugural address, titled “From the Call to the Cause,” Prof Ezeilo said the speech reflected a clear understanding of the challenges confronting the legal profession and presented a forward-looking vision for the Nigerian Bar Association. Badejo-Okusanya delivered the address after assuming office as the 33rd President of the NBA in Port Harcourt.
Prof Ezeilo, a Professor of Law, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Life Bencher with more than 33 years of post-call experience, said: “Her speech is unifying, comprehensive, and transformational.” She said the address spoke directly to the realities confronting the legal profession while outlining a vision for the future of the Bar.
Calling for broad support for the new NBA leadership, Ezeilo said: “I call on the entire Bar to rally behind her leadership.” She said the commitments outlined by the NBA President, particularly the pledge to place the interests of lawyers first and uphold high standards of professionalism, were deserving of collective support.
The senior lawyer also endorsed the NBA Members First agenda, which Badejo-Okusanya has presented as a framework for improving the welfare, economic security and professional development of lawyers. “I fully support the Members First Agenda of the 33rd President,” Ezeilo said. Badejo-Okusanya has pledged to build what she describes as a bolder Bar focused on helping lawyers earn better, live better and practise better.
Ezeilo said the vision of the NBA Members First agenda also promotes inclusion across the Association, adding: “A Bar of belonging where every voice counts: young and senior, women and men, large and small branches alike.” The agenda emphasises the need for a professional association that responds to the interests of lawyers across different levels of practice and branches.
Expressing confidence in the new administration, Prof Ezeilo said she looked forward to Badejo-Okusanya’s “transformational female leadership” and the work of her National Executive Council team, which she described as a “Dream Team.” She said she expected the leadership to advance the interests of members and contribute to the continued development of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Prof Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, backs the NBA Members First agenda of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, describing her leadership vision as transformational.
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