As countdown to the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum kicks off, the forum on Friday, March 15th, 2024 held a pre-event press briefing to enlighten the media and the general public on the upcoming conference.
The Conference Scheduled for Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22, 2024 will kick off at the magnificent Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos.
The Press briefing held at the law office of Jackson, Etti & Edu, was graced by the Forum’s chairperson, Chinyere Okorocha, and the chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Folashade Alli, SAN. Other officials present at the briefing were Gloria Ireka, Deputy Head of the Media and Publicity Committee; Kemi Adesojaye, Head of the Hospitality, Logistics and Protocol Committee; Ifeoma Ben, Head of the Fund Raising Committee; and Blessing Udoh, member, Conference & Logistics Committee.
Mrs. Okorocha in her remark summarised the history and evolution of the NBAWF, begining with its inauguration in 2007 to its going moribund in 2014, and then to its subsequent revival (and re-inauguration) in 2019 by the then-President of the NBA, Paul Usoro, SAN. She also dwelt at length on the theme of the 2024 Annual General Conference, namely, ‘Beyond the Balance Sheet: Redefining Success for Women in Law.’
According to Mrs Okorocha the aims of the Forum geared towards curbing the truncation of the careers of female lawyers as a result of the formidable systemic and societal barriers that still stand in the way of progress even in this day and age. This, she said, the NBAWF does by way of training and empowerment programmes such as seminars/workshops, as well as mentoring and networking initiatives, among others.
Okorocha maintained that the 2024 Conference theme and programme is in line with the theme of this year’s United Nations International Women’s Day (IWD), namely, ‘Inspire Inclusion. ‘ Though according to her, the 8th of March (the IWD) has come and gone, however, the entire month of March has been devoted to exploring the issues of critical concern to the female gender, and advancing the interests of female lawyers in particular, both in the workplace and in the home.
She noted the key institutions of the NBAWF, to include the Governing Council, the 11 committees, the 125 branch facilitators, and the 37 state leads (encompassing the 36 states of the country and the Abuja FCT), are working in tandem to actualize the goals of the NBAWF, adding that the forthcoming Conference would help advance those goals in no small way.
She further announced the Keynote Speaker as Dr. (Mrs.) Bolanle Austen-Peters, CEO at BAP Productions and the prestigious Terra Kulture, a prominent creative industry establishment in Lagos. Austen-Peters, she said, would be headlining a stellar cast of guests and speakers at the opening ceremonies of the Conference – notable among them is the President of the NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN.
The Conference Planning Committee chairperson, Mrs. Alli, SAN on her part stated a detailed breakdown of activities at the Conference which she said, would be a good mix of both intellectual and social activities. They include 6 intensive panel discussion sessions that would explore topical issues and emerging trends currently impacting (or likely to impact) in the female legal ecosystem – such as a look at the factors enabling a more professional environment; growing the business side of one’s law practice; the role of technology in advancing gender equity; the place of personal branding and networking skills in the female lawyer’s ability to project elegance, etiquette and panache; the need for a healthy work-life balance for the female lawyer; and the path to true and wholesome career success.
Alli SAN further revealed that it would feature a series of fun events (such as the pre-conference cocktail, a Gala Nite to be chaired by the respected Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN), events at the Ikoyi Boat Club, as well as free health and wellness services.
The Hospitality, Logistics and Protocol Committee chaired by Mrs. Afesojaye also highlighted the various attractions of the Conference to include discounted accommodation rates being offered by leading hotels in Lagos for attendees; free airport-to-hotel shuttle rides; and, of course, the opportunity to savour the sublime ambience both within and beyond the Oriental Hotel venue.
Detailing the registration procedure so far, Ms. Ifeoma Ben stated that early-stage lawyers would be required to pay only 50% of the N20,000 registration fee (ie N10,000), and advised intending conferees to register online at the NBAWF portal: www.nbawomenforum.org.ng
She praised sponsors for their contributions and commitments (in cash and in kind) which have made the forthcoming Conference a potential success, even as she called for more of such contributions.
