Abuja – In response to criticisms surrounding the current leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), particularly as voiced by Mr. John Ben, prominent legal practitioner Ejomafuvwe Francis Avbenagha, Esq. has penned a strong counter-perspective defending the administration’s policy directions and vision.
Avbenagha’s statement emphasizes that the NBA President’s approach reflects bold and necessary reforms aimed at positioning Nigeria’s legal profession for the demands of a modern, competitive, and technology-driven global legal environment.
MCPD: A Step Toward Global Best Practice
He defends the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) as a globally acknowledged strategy to maintain the competence of legal professionals. He notes that aligning MCPD with active practice is not only a safeguard for the public but a forward-thinking move to keep Nigerian lawyers globally competitive.
Drawing parallels with jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Kenya, where continuous legal education is compulsory, Avbenagha stresses that “legal practice cannot remain static.”
Financial Reforms: Strengthening the NBA’s Foundations
Addressing the controversy around fee adjustments, the statement provides context:
- Seals & Subscriptions: He asserts that revised seal pricing reflects inflationary pressures and is necessary to sustain member services, debunking the idea of an arbitrary or exploitative hike.
- Conference Fees: While acknowledging that fees for young lawyers have risen, Avbenagha explains that the value of networking, training, and scholarship opportunities has likewise increased. He notes the administration’s efforts to reduce dependence on political donations, calling instead for sustainable professional funding.
- Law Pavilion Access: He clarifies that free access was a pandemic-era support initiative and that the administration has since brokered discounts and developed alternatives through new partnerships.
Transparency and Resource Mobilization
The statement firmly supports the administration’s fundraising achievements and strategic partnerships with banks and international bodies, which have been channeled into:
- Tech-driven member support tools
- Legal aid and pro bono services
- Judicial and lawyer welfare advocacy
Avbenagha insists that NBA NEC oversight and financial committees ensure transparency in fund utilization.
Courageous Leadership, Not Despotism
Responding to allegations of authoritarian leadership, Avbenagha notes that the reforms being criticized are rooted in a vision to:
- Digitize and modernize the NBA
- Establish financial autonomy
- Uphold higher ethical and professional standards
He argues that while the choices may be unpopular with some, they represent responsible leadership focused on long-term institutional strengthening.
A Record of Impact
Avbenagha outlines several achievements under the current NBA administration, including:
- Deployment of tech platforms for member engagement
- Advocacy for increased judicial salaries
- Launch of anti-corruption and ethics programs within the Bar
- Elevated participation in national legal and policy discourse
“Trust the Process, Not the Noise”
Concluding his statement, Avbenagha cautions against emotional reactions and calls for legal professionals to evaluate reforms with objective reasoning. “Change is unsettling, but stagnation is dangerous,” he says, asserting that history may well vindicate this administration as one that secured the foundation for a truly 21st-century Nigerian legal profession.
He ends with a firm declaration:
“I, Ejomafuvwe Francis Avbenagha Esq, stand with a President who leads, not one who panders.”
#NBANewEra #ModernLegalProfession #SupportNBAReforms #LegalExcellence #MCPDReform
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