By Dayo Benson

The ninth annual business conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Session on Business Law (SBL), is expected to set economic agenda for the new administration of General Muhammadu Buhari. Coming on the heels of May 29 hand-over date, the three-day business law conference with the theme: ‘’Regulators as Catalysts for Economic Growth’’ would hold between May 7 – 9 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

SBL-Press-Conference

According to the Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Ayuli Jemide, who spoke at a media briefing in Lagos, said its opening ceremony, which would take place on a Sunday unlike previous ones, was coming at an opportuned time.” ‘’The Council of the SBL takes the view that there is no better time to contribute our quota to nation building and have themed the conference ‘’Regulators as Catalysts for Economic Growth”.

The aim is to use the conference as a forum for regulators, lawyers and business executives to dialogue on policies and regulations that shape economic growth.’’ Speaking on the conference sessions, he said: ‘’The key sessions of the conference have been designed to raise major talking points that affect our business environment and kick start an enduring mechanism for continuous engagement between the Section on Business Law and the major regulators that shape our business environment.

For example, the first session on the June 8 is tagged ‘’Improving Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business”. The importance of improving Nigeria’s current 170th position on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index cannot be overemphasized. This session will have the CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mawuena Trebarh, kick off the conversation on how Ghana has maintained its 70th position on the Ease of Doing Business Index.

We can confirm so far that the helmsmen of several of Nigeria’s regulatory agencies will be a part of the discourse at this session; they include the heads of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Corporate Affairs Commission, Shippers Council, Securities & Exchange Commission, and Central Securities Clearing Systems Plc.” Jemide explained that another plenary session would be on the June 9 where the Chief Economist of PWC, John Hawksworth, is expected to speak on topic ‘’Long Term Global Economic Trends and Implications for Nigeria”.

“This session, which is based on PWC’s World 2050 Report, will be chaired by Elisabeth Proust, the CEO of Total E & P Nigeria Ltd and will have notable discussants, including Mr Segun Agbaje, CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Dr Doyin Salami, distinguished economist and senior lecturer at the Lagos Business School,’’ he added. On the other objectives of the conference, the planning committee chairman noted that this years’ conference also has some other attendant objectives.

“First, we want to have a very inclusive conference, one that would attract practicing lawyers of all ages and types, in-house counsel in private and public sectors, corporate Nigeria, and government. Second, we think that attendees should have time to relax and unwind. We have events such as the opening dinner, boat cruise, and closing party to ensure there are social aspects to this event. Third, there is a specific focus on young lawyers at this conference. We have arranged excursions for them to visit 3 top law firms for mentoring sessions and we have also slated a well facilitated discourse between the young lawyers and their senior colleagues,” he stated.