History Has Been Made. A New Chapter Has Begun.
On behalf of the Executive Committee, the Council, and the entire membership of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF), we extend our warmest congratulations to Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN on your historic emergence as the President-Elect of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Congratulations, Madam President-Elect!
Today, history has been written in bold letters.
For the first time in the history of the Nigerian Bar Association, the collective aspiration of generations of women lawyers has crystallized into a defining victory. Your emergence is not merely an electoral success; it is the breaking of a longstanding barrier and the dawn of a new era for our profession.
For many female lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar over the last thirty years, the pursuit of the NBA Presidency by women has been a story of courage, resilience, and near triumph. Many witnessed the inspiring candidature of Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, whose bold attempt opened minds and challenged conventions, even though victory remained elusive.
Before now, history records Mrs. Priscilla Kuye as the only woman to have served as President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1992 when she stepped in to fill the vacuum created after the appointment of the then President as the Attorney General of the Federation. Today, that history has been gloriously expanded.
Your victory is a testament to the power of unity, purpose, and collective resolve. It affirms that when women stand together, supported by visionary allies and Bar leaders who believe in equity, history is not only remembered it is made.
We salute the distinguished leaders of our profession, both past and present, whose sacrifices, advocacy, and unwavering commitment laid the foundation upon which this remarkable achievement stands. We honour every woman who dared to dream, every mentor who nurtured leadership, every supporter who believed in the cause, and every voter who chose progress over tradition.
This is the beauty of a united front. This is the power of speaking with one voice.
Indeed, the future is women not because leadership belongs to one gender, but because the Bar is strongest when every voice has an equal opportunity to lead and serve.
As the foremost platform for women lawyers in Nigeria, the NBAWF is immensely proud to have been part of this historic journey. We celebrate not only your victory but what it represents to countless young women across the country who can now see, with certainty, that no office within our profession is beyond their reach.
Madam President-Elect, your emergence has inspired a generation and renewed hope across the legal community. We are confident that your tenure will usher in a Bar that is bolder, more inclusive, more progressive, and firmly committed to excellence, justice, and the rule of law.
As you prepare to assume the highest office of our great Association, we pray that Almighty God grants you divine wisdom, sound health, strength, courage, and uncommon grace to lead the Nigerian Bar Association to even greater heights.
Once again, congratulations on this groundbreaking and well-deserved victory.
History has been made, and we are proud to have witnessed it.
Congratulations, Madam President-Elect!
Signed:
Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim Chairperson
NBAWF)
