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Theme: IN PUBLIC INTEREST: ADVANCING JUSTICE, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT Distinguished Guests, Honourable Ministers, the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, members of the judiciary, learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria, distinguished members of the Bar, representatives of government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, members of the academia, our colleagues from across Nigeria and beyond, ladies and gentlemen. It is with immense pleasure and a profound sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the 2026 Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), holding here in the historic and welcoming city of Umuahia, Abia State. On behalf of the leadership and members of NBA-SPIDEL, I express our sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Abia State for graciously co-hosting and being the headline sponsor of this year’s confer...

Abuja | 9th November 2026 In furtherance of its commitment to institutional continuity and the preservation of the Branch's leadership heritage, the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), led by the Branch Chairman, Yakubu Philemon, SAN , on Monday, 9th November 2026, paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Patrick Ediale, a distinguished elder who chaired the Branch between 1995 and 1996. Mr. Ediale's tenure as Chairman represents an important chapter in the history of the Unity Bar, particularly during its early years of institutional development. The visit formed part of the present administration's ongoing strategic engagement with past Chairmen, aimed at acknowledging their contributions, strengthening intergenerational relationships and drawing upon their wealth of experience. The engagement reaffirmed the Executive Committee's commitment to honouring past leaders, preserving institutional...

  November 2026 The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has announced the winners of its 2026 Essay, Poetry and Spoken Word Competition, organised as part of its Annual Conference in Umuahia, Abia State. In a statement issued by the Chairperson of NBA-SPIDEL, Dr. Uju Agomoh , the competition attracted 57 entries from law students and young lawyers across Nigeria. The competition, held under the conference theme, “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development,” sought to encourage emerging legal professionals to explore pressing issues affecting justice, human rights, democracy and national development. WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION Law Students Category 1st Position: Favour Ofie Ebiara, University of Calabar — ₦75,000. 2nd Position: Frank Okike, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus — ₦50,000. 3rd Position: Madu Chidera Ebenezer, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus — ₦25...

Nigeria's former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN will today deliver the Keynote Address at the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference. The conference is holding at the world-class International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia, Abia State, themed “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development.” All delegates are to be seated by 8:30 am. The Keynote Session is the highlight of the Opening Ceremony at which the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; NBA President, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya SAN, and several past NBA Presidents among other public interest stakeholders are expected to deliver their addresses.  Osinbajo's address will be interrogated by a formidable panel of respondents including Prof. Pat Utomi, founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL); Lisa Henry, Sec...

Monday, 9th November 2026 | Abuja In a remarkable demonstration of respect, solidarity and appreciation for exemplary leadership, members of the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), on Monday, 9th November 2026, paid a surprise birthday courtesy visit to Abdul A. Ibrahim, SAN , a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Chairman of the Branch. The delegation was led by the Branch Chairman, Yakubu Philemon, SAN , as part of the Executive Committee's commitment to celebrating the contributions of past leaders who have played significant roles in the growth and development of the Unity Bar. Abdul Ibrahim, SAN, who served as Chairman of the NBA Abuja Branch from 2008 to 2010 , remains a respected elder of the Branch whose leadership and contributions to the legal profession continue to inspire successive generations of lawyers. The surprise visit provided a memorable opportunity for the Branch leadership to per...

Monday, 9th November 2026 | Abuja In furtherance of its commitment to strengthening institutional relationships, promoting professional unity and fostering intergenerational engagement within the Bar, the Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), led by its Chairman, Yakubu Philemon, SAN , on Monday, 9th November 2026, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN , Founding Principal Partner of J-K Gadzama LLP and a distinguished Past Chairman of the NBA Abuja Branch. The visit formed part of the Branch leadership's ongoing strategic engagements with past chairmen, respected elders and prominent stakeholders whose contributions have shaped the growth and development of the Unity Bar. Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN, is a distinguished legal practitioner, accomplished Bar leader and respected figure in Nigeria's legal profession. As a former Chairman of the NBA Abuja Branch, his leadership and contributions remain an imp...