Senior Advocate lauds President Kari Abdoul Bagui and Secretary‑General Joyce Oduah for “visionary, service‑anchored leadership”
Distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN, has extended warm congratulations to the freshly elected Executive Committee of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), praising their mandate as “a clarion call to forge a continent where justice travels without a visa.”
A fresh chapter at the Triennial General Assembly in Abidjan
At PALU’s 15th Annual Conference & Triennial General Assembly held 25‑27 June 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, delegates voted in a new leadership slate amid deliberations on the AU’s “Year of Justice Through Reparations.” (africa-legal.com)
- President — Mr Kari Abdoul Bagui (Cameroon): Already acclaimed for his 2024–25 rule‑of‑law drive, Bagui now begins a full continental term. (modernghana.com)
- Secretary‑General — Mrs Joyce Oduah, FICMC (Nigeria): The immediate past General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association and PALU’s first female West‑Africa Vice‑President (2022‑25) ascends to the Union’s top administrative office. Her election makes her the first Nigerian woman to serve as PALU Secretary‑General. (commonwealthlawyers.com)
“Great leaders,” Ogbole remarked, “are stewards of tomorrow. By trusting Mr Bagui and Mrs Oduah, Africa’s lawyers have voted for tomorrow.”
Joyce Oduah: hallmark of integrity, inclusion and digital flair
Renowned for digitising the NBA Secretariat, designing the USSD‑powered NBA One‑Stop App and mentoring scores of young lawyers, Oduah brings tech‑savvy governance, unflinching ethics and an inclusive mindset to PALU. Colleagues applaud her for “making integrity a brand.” (commonwealthlawyers.com)
Paul Harris Ogbole: bridge‑builder and mentor
Ogbole’s salute follows a career devoted to capacity‑building:
- Principal Partner, P. H. Ogbole (SAN) & Co., Abuja
- Member, EFCC Board (2008‑12) and NBA National Executive Council (10+ years)
- Chair, NBA‑SLP 2025 Conference Planning Committee, Jos (nbaslp.org, themetrolawyers.com)
He pledged to mobilise the NBA Section on Legal Practice and young‑lawyer networks to support PALU’s new agenda on reparations, AfCFTA legal capacity and gender equality.
Threads of wisdom
To underscore his message, Ogbole laced his tribute with timeless leadership aphorisms:
- “Leadership is not about being in charge; it is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek
- “The true test of leadership is how well you function in a crisis.” — Brian Tracy
- “It always seems impossible until it is done.” — Nelson Mandela
“These quotes,” he said, “mirror the path before PALU’s team: servant leadership, resilience, and bold imagination.”
Looking ahead
Bagui’s inaugural communiqué lists priority tasks: deepening collaboration with AU organs, fast‑tracking AfCFTA enforcement tools, and rolling out PALU’s Gender Equality in Law Campaign across 54 jurisdictions. Oduah, for her part, promises a ‘one‑click’ Secretariat and a continent‑wide mentorship hub for young advocates.
“When purpose ignites competence, progress is inevitable,” Ogbole concluded. “Africa’s legal fraternity can expect both from this duo.”
With the gavel now in new hands, PALU’s 2025‑2028 term sets sail on a tide of high expectations—and the legal titan from Abuja stands firmly in their cheering section.
Congratulations.
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BIRTHDAY APPRECIATION MESSAGE FROM PAUL HARRIS OGBOLE, SAN
