Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has taken oath as the 33rd President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
She was sworn in as the second female President of the league, taking the oath of office and allegiance at the NBA 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, today.
She succeeded Mazi Adam Osigwe, SAN, the 32th president at the expiration of his two-year tenure, the Daily Independent reported.
In her augural speech, the new president took the job with suitable humility, promising to serve with dedication and thanking his predecessor for creating a strong foundation for her success.
Mrs Badejo-Okusanya promised to be a president to the association and to everybody and not only to those who backed her during the election.
She said that the presidency post should not be based on gender and was hopeful that it will not take so long for another female president to be elected.
The strength of the Bar must be felt by the members and the citizenry and not just in the corridor of power, she said.
She said her administration would construct a Bar that every lawyer would love and the leadership will promote the implementation of equitable remuneration for lawyers.
The new president also stated that members will have privilege for training, especially exposed to the growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
She said the new leadership would work for the welfare of legal practitioners.
Every member of the Association should know how their money is used, she said, transparency and accountability would be the watchword.
She called for constructive criticisms for the continuous expansion of the association and urged all members to protest the unwholesome practices on electoral processes.
The new President, who is also the immediate past Chairman, NBA Abuja Branch, said Nigeria needs a responsible and independent bar and that the NBA will support the independence of the judiciary and will not be controlled or teleguided in any fashion by any individual or organization no matter how highly placed against the society.
She said our devotion is to justice, rule of law and the citizens, adding that the association would be influenced by any individual or group, but would be apolitical at all time.
In his valedictory statement, the outgone president, Mazi Adam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) encouraged his successor to be determined and not let the challenges of the position to overwhelm her.
He reminded her of the tasking nature of the office and encouraged her to steer the ship of the association.
He said the Bar did not elect a female to be president but someone they believe has the capacity to run the NBA.
He praised all the officials who worked with him and attributed the success the NBA had achieved during his time to the cooperation he received from them.
He urged the members of the Association to support the new president to carry the body forward and appealed to them not to victimise the body and asked for constructive comments that will lead the NBA to a great height.
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