August 17, 2009
By Ibe Uwaleke, Abiodun Fanoro and Bertram Nwannekanma

A GAMUT of legal and national issues will be tackled by lawyers as the 2009 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference begins today at Eko Meridian Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It is scheduled to be opened by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is the guest speaker while the Chief Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi will be chairman of the opening ceremony.

The theme of five-day event is: "Under Developed Nations, Failed Economies and the Future of the Legal Profession."

Delegates to the conference, who started arriving since Saturday, were yesterday hosted to a welcome cocktail at the Lagos High Court by the Lagos State Chief Judge.

Other dignitaries expected to attend the conference include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), International Bar Association President, Fernando Peleaz-Pier. The NBA's President, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, will be the chief host.

Discussants at the event include House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole and Minster for Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe.

Governors expected include Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State and his Edo counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole.

The NBA's National Executive Committee (NEC) met behind closed-doors yesterday to ratify positions on several contemporary issues.

Over 10,000 lawyers from within and outside the country and 100 speakers are expected at the occasion.

There will be 50 sessions throughout the event with several exhibitors, including Lagos State Government, UN Office on Drug and Crime; Blood Pressure Foundation and several law books publishing companies.

Also, restaurants numbering over 40 are scattered all over the venue which has become a beehive of activities.

Banners of different messages welcoming delegates adorn the place.

Some of the delegates who spoke to The Guardian yesterday expressed delight on the arrangements made by the association to host lawyers.

Among them was the chairman of Uyo branch Ekpeyong Essien, and the branch secretary, Victor Nkanang.
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