A presidential hopeful in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya (SAN), has pledged to prioritise the welfare and professional advancement of lawyers, saying her aspiration is rooted in a commitment to transform the association into a more member-focused institution.
During a campaign visit to the NBA Jalingo Branch on Thursday, Badejo-Okunsanya said the association should move away from the notion that its activities are centred mainly on lawyers in private practice.
She emphasised that the NBA represents legal professionals working across various sectors, including the public service, academia and corporate organisations, noting that all members deserve equal representation and support.
According to her, if elected, her administration would concentrate on improving the welfare of members, expanding professional opportunities and ensuring stronger protection for legal practitioners.
“My desire is to reshape the Bar to become more responsive to the needs of its members. My ambition is to help lawyers earn better, live better and practise better.
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“I have plans to restructure the Bar to make it more inclusive. I will also ensure that lawyers are adequately protected and accorded the respect they deserve,” she said.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, who welcomed the senior advocate, wished her success in the election and encouraged her to promote unity among NBA branches while fostering stronger ties between the Bar and the Bench if elected.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NBA Jalingo Branch, Dr Philimon Saredau, assured Badejo-Okunsanya of the branch’s backing ahead of the association’s presidential poll.
Other stakeholders who declared their support for her candidacy included the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Taraba State Ministry of Justice, Mr Sunday Maikerfi; senior member of the Jalingo Bar, Mr John Okeze; and Mrs Ganki Nana Hassan.
Also addressing members, the Director-General of Badejo-Okunsanya’s campaign, Mr Aminu Gadanya (SAN), expressed appreciation to the Jalingo Branch for the warm reception and said he was confident the branch would support her bid in the forthcoming NBA presidential election.