‘2019 NBA Conference will not be a Talk Shop’

The Flagship event on the Calendar of the Nigerian Bar Association, is its Annual General Conference. It is unarguably the largest gathering of professionals in Nigeria, and this year’s Conference, will be no different. Aptly themed ‘Facing The Future’, Chairman of the Technical Committee of Conference Planning, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR took time out from his busy schedule, to speak to Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude

Igbanoi about the level of preparedness of his Committee to host Nigerian Lawyers at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos from August 23 – 29, 2019

You are the Chairman of the Technical Committee of Conference Planning (TCCP) of our 2019 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference, which is scheduled to take place August 23rd - 29th at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. How do Members register? Will it be online like last year? Will there be provision to register at the Conference venue? What plans have you put in place, to ensure

that those who are not internet compliant, like the elders, or those who reside in areas which have epileptic internet access, are not excluded from registering for the Conference?

This year’s online registration process has been seamless, with very few complaints. Over 10,000 participants had registered for the Conference as at July 7th, when early bird registration closed. We have a 7am-10pm customer service line, for those who need any assistance with registration. It is advised that, participants take advantage of the stress- free online registration and support that have been put in place. On-site registration will

“LAWYERS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT, TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ARE NO LONGER FICTION, BUT NOW AN EVERYDAY REALITY. TECHNOLOGY ERASES BOUNDARIES, AND SAVES TIME AND RESOURCES”

also be available, but particularly for Lawyers who are 70 years and above.

Is there any designated accommodation for Conferees to reside during the Conference? Has the TCCP taken into consideration the astronomical cost of Lagos accommodation, feeding and so on, and how to make the financial burden on Lawyers easier? Many Lawyers have raised serious objections to the high Conference fees this year. What informed the increase, and what will Conferees be getting for these high fees?

The TCCP Committee in charge of accommodation, has negotiated with various hotels to provide rooms for attendees at a discount. The cost of organising the Conference in Lagos State is high, but thanks to our partners and sponsors this year, registration fees were not increased, rather a 25% reduction was applied to the early bird registration categories.

To what extent did the TCCP take into consideration, the logistics nightmare that the City of Lagos poses for a Conference of this magnitude, especially in the rainy season? What are the TCCP’s plans regarding accommodation for Lawyers who are on a shoe string budget? Have any provisions been made for the Young Lawyers, like discounts on registration, meals, accommodation and transportation to and from the Conference venue?

The venue for Conference is Eko Hotel & Suites, and we are working with the Lagos State Government who have inaugurated a task force that will ensure that the roads leading to the venue are in good condition, monitor traffic etc. Thanks to His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his administration, there will be free buses, to cater to participants.

Young lawyers have been taken care of, registration fees were as low as 15,000 for early bird registration. Various schemes were put in place by Branches, to provide free registration for eligible young Lawyers etc.

Following the models of the International Bar Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, their Conferences are contracted out to professional organisers and conference planners who seamlessly put their conferences together, leaving the Associations’ leadership stress-free. Why, in your view, are we still fixated on the archaic mode of organising our conference ourselves, and at the end of the day, Conferees have a plethora of complaints? Should we expect a different style of organisation this year? Have there been any limiting factors, so far?

We have engaged an experienced event planner, for this year’s Conference. However, as this is a Conference is for Lawyers, the NBA has an important role to play in providing input and content for the Conference, and it is the role of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP).

Conference materials are always a sore point, and Lawyers complain about the inadequacy of bags and materials every year. What plans does your Committee have to address these issues, this year?

I can confirm that, as of today, all our Conference materials have been delivered, and distribution of Conference materials will commence days before the Conference starts. We are working with Chairmen of the various Branches, to ensure a smooth distribution process.

The theme of this year’s Conference “Facing the Future” is apt, as for instance, many Lawyers do not really understand technological innovations like Artificial Intelligence and are wondering whether they will not be rendered redundant by them, in the near future? Statistics show that, even the level of computer literacy amongst Nigerian Lawyers, is very low. Will there be any sessions at the Conference, centred on discussions on technology, how to improve the computer literacy of Lawyers, and what Lawyers should do in order not to be left behind, going forward?

We have a minimum of eight sessions, that will address the role and importance of technology in the various aspects of the administration of justice and the work of Lawyers. Lawyers must understand that, technology and artificial intelligence are no longer fiction, but now an everyday reality. Technology erases boundaries, and saves time and resources. The future belongs to Lawyers, who embrace this reality. We have various cutting-edge technology exhibitors at the Conference, and we advice all Lawyers to take advantage of these services.

The issues of the rule of law, independence of the Judiciary, and the economy, have been on the front burner in Nigeria for sometime now. Should Conferees expect vibrant discussions/ in-depth sessions on these burning national issues? Who is the keynote Speaker, and some of the other Speakers that Lawyers should look forward to listening to? Yes, these issues will be addressed during the Conference. We have a session titled “The Rule of Law Symposium”, which has speakers that will address all the burning issues currently facing the legal profession. The Keynote speaker is the President of the International Bar Association, Horacio Neto. The Presidency have confirmed attendance, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation will be in attendance. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and several other Governors have confirmed their attendance. We also have past NBA Presidents, who will be attending and speaking at the various sessions.

Many believe that, most of our Conferences are simply talk shops and social events. That Government and the Private Sector, never implement any of our resolutions. How will the 2019 Conference Organisers, ensure that the 2019 Conference will be different, and that all the useful resolutions from the Conference will go beyond the Conference venue?

The NBA Annual General Conference is no talk shop, as the communiqué from our Conferences have been known to drive several policy changes. Following our general congress, there will be engagements with policy makers, regulators, and other key players in the public and private sectors, most of who will be at the AGC.

What entertainment and social activities have been lined up for the Conference this year? Lagos is known for its sobriquet ‘Eko for Show’. What fun activities should Conferees look forward to? This year’s conference is packed with entertain

“THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION, HORACIO NETO. THE PRESIDENCY HAVE CONFIRMED ATTENDANCE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA, AS WELL AS THE ATTORNEYGENERAL OF THE FEDERATION WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE”

ment that is typical of the host State, Lagos. We will have a music fiesta with well-known artists in Nigeria. There will be a stage play – Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, a branded Friendship Centre which will be declared open by the President.