NBA House: Babalakin leads Formidable Team to build Befitting Secretariat
The Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), last week, commenced the construction of its hypermodern Secretariat at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The Premier Branch, as the Lagos Branch of the Association is commonly referred to, constituted a high- powered committee chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, to midwife the edifice. Last Monday, the Branch which had taken possession of its parcel of land at Lekki, carried out a turning-sod ceremony at the site. While cutting the tape opening the site, the President of the NBA, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN, told the gathering of the Branch’s leaders and Exco members present, that it is a momentous day for him, as it is his Branch (Lagos) that is making the landmark event. He said he felt elated that he had the honour privilege to cut the tape, witnessing the commencement of the building.
The outgoing Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, in an emotion laden voice, expressed his passion over the project, and narrated how the land was acquired from Lagos State, and his joy at seeing the project take off, even in the twilight of his tenure as Chair.
In an exclusive chat with THISDAY LAWYER, Chairman of the Building Committee, Dr. Babalakin, SAN, said he felt the project was worthy for him stake his reputation. He said: ‘We have a team of dedicated people, who are willing and ready to take on this project with me. We are committed and forward looking.
‘We in the Committee, insisted on due process. We insisted on doing things completely above board, and the Committee has agreed to it. Everything on this project will be done to cost, to principles, and with a high level of integrity. All that is left, is that God should bless our efforts.’
At the foundation laying ceremony of the Secretariat and Bar Centre, there was a presentation on the design of the proposed Secretariat building by Mr. Gabriel Nwapa, the lead Consultant for Gabonn Associates, which emerged the winner of the bid to design and construct the building. With the aid of visual aids, including animations, he began with an overview of the exterior and interior of what promises to be an elegant, cavernous and efficient building, conforming to modern architectural paradigms. His organisation, he said, would go out of its way to deliver an architectural masterpiece, that would truly reflect the profile of the nation’s Premier Bar Branch.
While acknowledging the limitation of space on which the proposed building would stand, and the ways in which this would affect the efficient and safe parking of vehicles, to maximise the available space, therefore, he said, the proposed facility would have a ground floor that would provide parking
space for about 28 vehicles.
The building, he said, would consist of two auditorium floors – the second floor, which has a 1030-seater auditorium, and a mezzanine floor, which has a 400-seater auditorium – as well as sub-floors for offices, libraries, law archives. To accommodate attendees to NBA Conferences from outside Lagos, the building would also consist of four hotel-style suites, complete with ultra- modern en-suite facilities, plus two meeting-rooms – also with en-suite facilities. Other facilities include twenty conveniences (ten on each auditorium), along with four separate conveniences. A remarkable feature of the structure, is the availability of facilities for Lawyers with physical challenges, as well as for aged persons. The building will be fully equipped with seamless access- points such as elevators and ramps, as well as a drivers’ lounge and gate house. Smart sanitation, water supply and drainage facilities such as boreholes, underground tanks and manholes, will also be provided within the premises. Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, further promised that the building would not suffer undue delays, and would be completed in good time.
Also present at the event were Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; MFR, Mrs. Funke Agbor, SAN; Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN; Mr. Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, ViceChairman Lagos Branch, Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun, the General Secretary, Ikechukwu Uwanna, a former Chairman of the Lagos Bar branch, Alex Mouka, Chairman of the NBA Continuous Education Committee and Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe.