Outstanding Lawyers from across the country converge in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital for its 61st Conference.

The event is slated for a week with the theme:“Taking The Lead”.

According to the itinerary issued by the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, the opening ceremony of the conference would took place on Monday.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who is also a learned colleague, on Monday, 25th of October, 2021 declared the conference open. In his Opening speech, he charged the NBA to invest more effort in championing the cause of citizens and by surpassing its own record.

HRM Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff a certified legal luminary was also on ground to recognize and celebrate her profession.

Participant who express their views says the choice of the theme is apt because it is coming against the backdrop of growing concerns over cases of judicial abuse involving judges and senior lawyers.

While speaking with the press, HRM Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff esq said “the 61st edition came up at a time when Nigeria Judicial system needed to be looked into with professionalism because its seen as the last hope of the common man.

The Judiciary system should not and never be politicized, time frame for cases to be treated and judgement received should be taken seriously.

On the morning of Saturday, the 23rd, Lawyers began their activities with a health walk and the take-off point was Real Madrid Academy, Yakubu Gowon Stadium. The workout was led by former Chairperson NBA Section on Legal Practice, Miannaya Essien, SAN. Others with her were; the President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata, General Secretary, Joyce Oduah, 1st Vice President John. O. Aikpokpo-Martins, NBA Former Vice president, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman Conference Planning Committee, Briggs, J-K Gadzama, SAN, Y. C. Maikyau, SAN, Ogaga Emoghwanre and a host of others.

There was also a football match. The Annual General Conference 2021 tournament witnessed teams from NBA Aba, Abuja, Benin, Effurun, Isiokpo, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Minna, Onitsha, Osogbo, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Udu, and Yenagoa.

The cocktail party began at about 6 pm on Saturday. The River state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, hosted the party to welcome members of the Nigerian Bar Association to Garden City, for the 61st Annual General conference.

The cocktail was held at Chief Judge’s Ceremonial Court Hall, High Court Complex, Bank Road, Port Harcourt.

There were several social events organized by various NBA Branches, University alumni
re-unions, Rivers’ Night, Party by Attorney-General of Rivers State, law school call set re-unions and host of others.

Thanksgiving service in a Multi- Denominational Church Service was one of the activities for the conference held at Christ Church Interdenominational. The service began around 10 am and there was a massive turn up by Christian lawyers.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Muhammad Tanko in his address delivered by Hon. Justice Mary Peter Odili enjoined the NBA to be the voice of the Judiciary, urging lawyers to uphold sparkling ethical behavior in their conduct with the court.

The NBA President delivered a welcome message motivating attendees to achieve the goal of the Conference — Taking the Lead.

Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, who was the Keynote Speaker, decried the spate of insecurity in the country, with specified reverence to Boko Haram and banditry and urged the citizens to dedicate themselves to making Nigeria work.

There were two breakout sessions with plenaries. The first plenary which started at about 12: 45 and lasted for 2: 20 pm, had four topics and they were: Reversing the trend: A Call For National Reorientation; Who’s Got Your Back?- Symposium On Consumer Protection; The Levers For Economic Growth And Development; finally for this session, Dealing With Conflicting Decisions From Court: Matters Arising.

The Second Plenary sessions had The future of dispute resolution, Women in practice- coping with modern workplace Biases, Inequities & Challenges; Regulating Legal Practice; Career Development & Growth Within The Legal Profession; Rivers State Showcase- Taking The Lead In Developing An Independent & Virile Judiciary, as the topic discussed.

On Tuesday, the 26th, the following topics— Justice Sector Reform: Interrogating The Functions Of The Bar And Bench; Status On Implementation Of Autonomy Of State Legislatures And Judiciary Upon The Issuance Of Executive Order 10; Legal Education And Professional Development Framework: Fit For Purpose; Opportunities In Emerging Areas Of Legal Practice; The Data Conundrum- Protection, Security, Privacy & Freedom Of Information, were discussed at the plenaries.

In another session which rapped out Tuesday’s event, “Wellness Of Attorney Was Discussed. Presentation Of NBA National Insurance Scheme” (NHIS).
On Wednesday, The breakout sessions comprised of 9 topics. The Panelists and moderators spoke on interesting topics ranging from ” Doing Business in Nigeria- Noxious Funds & Financial Crimes; Taking The Lead in Women’s Voice and Leadership; Building A Modern Legal Practice; Catch If You Can- Noxious Funds & Financial Crimes; Workplace & Professional Harassment; Government Regulation of Innovation & Technology; Technology Disruption In Legal Practice; Financing Nigeria: At Whose Expense; to When The People: A debate on Constitutional Amendment, which was the closing plenary for the day.

It’s the second time Rivers State would be hosting the Bar Conference and the NBA under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike and the State Government is currently constructing a new law school.

The Garden City witnessed the presence of members of the Bar and Bench.