UNSBA Holds 33rd Annual Bar Conference And Call To Bar In A Grand Ceremony

By: Nnenna Joseph

The annual bar conference and Call to bar ceremony of the University of Nigeria Bar Association (UNSBA) held on Saturday, 22nd February 2020 at the University’s main hall, witnessed a plethora of discuss revolving on trending challenges surrounding the legal industry in Nigeria, succeeded by the induction of new wigs.

UNSBA is a student court modeled after the Nigerian court, with a slogan- “Learn as you practice” and a motto- “Fiat Justitia,” boasts of international and national recognitions, and has vast Alumni scattered across the world making their marks and achieving greatness.

At the ceremony, UNSBA alumni were present, among other high flying legal practitioners within and outside Nigeria.

In no particular order, the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus saw the distinguished presence of Barr. Stanley Nweke Eze, Senior Associate in the international arbitration and litigation practice group of Templars, Barr. Davidson Oturu, partner at AELEX law firm’s IP/TMT, corporate/commercial and dispute resolution practice groups and is a notary public, Prof Joy Ezeilo, dean faculty of law, university of Nigeria duly represented by Barr Daniel Onyeonago, Prof. Kenn Chinemelu Nwogu the director, Emeka Anyaoku institute of international studies and the Chief legal officer Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Other notable dignitaries at the event include Chief Osita Benjamin Chidoka,  Former Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Former Corp Marshall, Federal Road Safety Corps. Chief Chidoka is also a lawyer in equity at the University of Abuja and Mr. Cornel Osigwe the Group Head, Corporate Communications, Innoson Group, and Chief Publisher, Anaedoonline.com and others

This epoch-making event witnessed buckets of knowledge poured into the virgin minds of the members of the UNSBA bar, highlighting the challenges they will face in their practice, life outside UNSBA in the Nigerian legal system, proffering solutions through life experiences and practical examples.

The keynote speaker, Chief Osita Chidoka gave a remarkable address that left all attendees on their feet with heralding applauses. Chief Chidoka professed that the next evolution in Nigeria requires Technology and Economic know-how, compelling the young lawyers to furnish themselves with vast knowledge from these sectors, urging them to add value to themselves reiterating that President Muhammadu Buhari has delivered poorly because he has never added value to himself “The president speaks of corruption all the time but has never written a book on corruption or taken any course on corruption” He bemoaned.

Taking over from the downpour of knowledge transmission, Barr Nwaeke Eze opined “You don’t lose because you failed, you lose because you stopped” while Barr Oturu proffered a time management formula suitable for anyone pursuing a career in our society, he tagged it the 10,000 hour target.

Taking over the mantle, Mr. Osigwe congratulated the president UNSBA, Mr. Okeke Chukwudi Kene, saying “I am proud of you and you are the boy I have been looking for” making reference to his speech titled “I am looking for a job”.

The final battle for Christian Aniukwu Prize for Advocacy 2.0 thrilled the audience with the articulate idea delivery of the finalist, which saw the conferral of certificate of participation to the 17 participants and the final prizes to the second runner up- Kalu Rejoice, the first runner up- Chukwu Michael and the winner Anita Ibanusoro.

However, the prestigious price of the best memorial was also conferred on Kalu Rejoice and each went away with mouthwatering cash prizes and automatic internship slots at top law firms in the country.

The remarkable call to bar proceedings of UNSBA 2019/2020 was led by Justice Igwe Chukwuemeka Peter the president of LAWSA court of Appeal in the presence of distinguished members and solicitors of the Nigerian legal system.

Every good moment comes to an end, however, the memories and experience stay, the remarkable event came to an end after Barr. Christian Aniukwu presented the awards to the participants.