By Prince Osuagwu

Etisalat Nigeria has explained the reason it partnered the Nigerian Bar Asssociation, NBA, on its recently concluded Annual General Conference in PortHarcourt, River State.

At the NBA president’s dinner which was held at the end of the conference, the company’s Regional Manager, South-south/South-east, Mr Enekwachi Aja, explained that the company sponsored this year’s NBA conference becomes it was woven around good governance and democracy.

He said that Etisalat was strong on equity and fairness, which are also qualities of democracy; and since democracy has been identified as a catalyst for development, it becomes expedient that the company support the NBA in its quest towards ensuring democracy is sustained in Nigeria.

The event which held at the Civic Centre in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, saw the lawyers resolving to raise the bar and become more proactive in the quest for good governance and rule of law at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference.

With the theme, “Sustaining an enduring democracy in Nigeria”, the NBA said it will work tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy not only remains nascent but grows to an enviable height. The body also expressed its readiness to support the government in actualizing the Nigerian project.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), commended the NBA for its efforts in deepening democracy in Nigeria. He also highlighted the critical role the bar should play to ensure peace, justice and fairness in the polity.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, the host of the conference, urged the NBA to put first the interest of the nation in all its activities. He advised the association to take the lead in achieving a new Nigeria by educating the public.

According to him, ‘this is paramount because it is education that will make people ask for accountability in government.

In his welcome speech, the National President of NBA, Joseph Daudu (SAN), expressed his gratitude to everyone that made the conference a success pledging that the association will continue in its quest for rule of law in Nigeria. “An efficient and incorruptible judiciary will guarantee a vibrant, just and egalitarian society,” he said.

“The relationship with the bar in reality ought not to be solely beneficial; it must be principally beneficial to the society. The NBA is a veritable stakeholder in the justice sector and will now engage the system proactively; borrowing a leaf from progressive bars like the Pakistan Bar Association in ensuring that democracy is sustained in Nigeria.”

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who was the guest speaker at the conference, urged the NBA not to relent in its effort in eradicating abuse of the law in the country, adding that such is capable of truncating democracy.

He urged members of the association to uphold its good name because “only the incorruptible can fight the corrupt”.