NBA President Constitutes New Committees on Electoral Reform, Professional Development

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Y. C. Maikyau SAN has constituted 4 new committees of the NBA; Electoral Reform, Law Firm and Institutional Mentorship Committee, Employment Bureau, and Remuneration Committees.

In a statement by Akorede Habeeb Lawal, National Publicity Secretary, NBA made available to The Lawyer, the Committees were constituted in fulfillment of the promise made by the NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN in his inaugural address to improve and effectively reform the NBA’s electoral process and to prioritize the welfare and professional development of members of the NBA.

Read the statement below:

CONSTITUTION OF COMMITTEES

Distinguished Colleagues,

In fulfillment of the promise of the NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN in his Inaugural Address to improve and effectively reform the NBA’s electoral process and to prioritize the welfare and professional development of members of the NBA, the President has constituted four committees comprising distinguished members of the legal profession. The Committees are:

1.      NBA Electoral Reform Committee – which has a mandate to drive effective and lasting reforms in the NBA electoral process and to eliminate the rigours and unsustainable practices that have come to define our electioneering campaigns;

2.     NBA Law Firm and Institutional Mentorship Committee – which is set up to design mentorship programmes that will aid the professional development of members of the profession, between 1 to 7 years post-call;

3.     NBA Employment Bureau (or the NBA Employment Committee) – this Committee is constituted to lead the charge in interfacing with governmental and private establishments for the purpose of securing job placements for our members; and

4.     NBA Remuneration Committee  – this Committee is established to drive the implementation of NBA Remuneration (White paper) Committee as accepted by the National Executive Council in its meeting of 9th June, 2022 held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The names of members of these four committees and the committees’ terms of reference are attached to this notice. These appointments are subject to ratification by the National Executive Council (NEC), however, the Committees are expected to immediately commence work.

The Nigerian Bar Association thanks these distinguished members for accepting to serve on these Committees.

LIST OF MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEES’ TERMS OF REFERENCE NBA ELECTORAL REFORM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1. Elisha Y. Kura, SAN – Chairman
2. K. K. Eleja, SAN – Alternate Chairman
3. Kunle Adegoke, SAN
4. G. A. I. Mowah, Esq
5. Mrs. Cordelia Uwuma Eke – Secretary
6. Prof Osita Nnamani Ogbu, Esq
7. Mrs. Foluke Akinmoladun
8. Steve Emelieze, Esq
9. George Fortune, Esq
10. Jibrin Jimeta, Esq
11. Ali Dussah Zubairu, Esq
12. Ahmed Kehinde Olaniyan, Esq
13. Wada Ahmed Wada, Esq

TERMS OF REFERENCE:
a. To interrogate the electoral practices in the Association;
b. Make recommendations for reforms;
c. Make proposals for a possible review of the Constitution in that regard;
d. Take any other step as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the Committee.

The Committee is expected to submit its Findings and Recommendations within a period of 6 weeks from the date of inauguration.

NBA LAW FIRM/INSTITUTIONAL MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
1. George Etomi, Esq – Chairman
2. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN – Alternate Chairman
3. Paul-Harris Ogbole, SAN
4. Muyiwa Atoyebi, SAN
5. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN
6. Moses A. Ebute, SAN
7. Abdul Muhammed, SAN
8. Mrs. Mfon Usoro
9. Tominiyi Owolabi, Esq
10. Yemi Lateef Akangbe, Esq
11. Mrs. Delayo Oriekun – Secretary
12. Mena Ajakpovi, Esq
13. Chike Obianwu, Esq
14. Ikechukwu Onuoma, Esq
15. Onyebuchibe U. Douglas, Esq

TERMS OF REFERENCE:
a. Develop the general strategy for engagement and enlistment of interested law firms and legal departments;
b. Develop the scope, duration and cycles of the mentorship programme;
c. Set the criteria for participation (for law firms, law departments and interns);
d. Design the selection and pairing processes;
e. Design the program outline, which will include such details as the program expectations and deliverables, obligations of the firms to the mentees and vice versa, supervisory role of the NBA, allowances for the interns, etc.
f. Such other things as may be necessary to achieve the above terms.

The Committee is expected to submit its Findings and Recommendations within a period of 6 weeks from the date of inauguration.

NBA EMPLOYMENT BUREAU MEMBERS:
1. Sir Steve Adehi, SAN – Chairman
2. Salman Alhaji Salman – Alternate Chairman
3. Kofo Sirajuddin Salam-Alada, Esq
4. Deborah Usman
5. Ahmad Rufai Khalid, Esq
6. Hannatu Simon Dauda
7. Uchenna Nwadialo – Secretary
8. Micah Ango, Esq
9. Bamidele Ibikunle, Esq
10. Banke Olagbegi-Oloba, Esq
11. Yusuf Abdullahi Abdulkadir, Esq
12. Mary Omoyeme Musa
13. Edwin Jackson Ibiomgbo, Esq
14. Leonard Onoja, Esq
15. Sani Muhammed Moyi

TERMS OF REFERENCE:
a. Preparation of the general policy and strategy for market engagement;
b. Development and implementation of access to government opportunities/program;
c. Development and implementation of access to private sector opportunities/program;
d. Development and implementation of access to underserved and emerging sectors’ programs;
e. Development and implementation of the SMEs and Sub-urban areas opportunities’ program;
f. Development and implementation of Legal Services Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Program to support lawyers in the set-up of micro to small-sized law firms and, where possible, legal entrepreneurs in otherbusinesses;
g. And such other things as may be necessary to achieve the above terms.
The Committee is expected to submit its Findings and Recommendations within a period of 6 weeks from the date of inauguration.

NBA REMUNERATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
1. Abdullahi Yahya, SAN – Chairman
2. Dr Attah Ochinke – Alternate Chairman
3. Barbara Omosun – Secretary
4. Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
5. Lawal Garba Hudu, Esq
6. Lema Sambo Wali, Esq
7. Reginald Aziza, Esq
8. Chinedu Agu, Esq
9. Abdurauf T. Aboki, Esq
10. Mrs. Abiodun Kolawole
11. Chidiebere S. Imoke, Esq
12. Nana Yunus Ustaz
13. Oluwaseyi Arowosebe, Esq
14. Humphrey Usha, Esq
15. Justice Christopher, Esq

TERMS OF REFERENCE:
a. Drive the implementation of the recommendations of the NBA Remuneration (White Paper) Committee as accepted by the National Executive Council in its meeting of 9th June 2022, held in Ilorin, Kwara State;
b. Make further recommendations for improvement of the earning capacity of lawyers in Nigeria;
c. Such other things as may be necessary to achieve the above objectives. The Committee is expected to submit its Findings and Recommendations within a period of 6 weeks from the date of inauguration.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary, NBA