A presidential candidate in the upcoming Nigerian Bar Association election, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya (SAN), has said her aspiration is motivated by a commitment to reposition the association to better advance the welfare and professional interests of lawyers nationwide.
During a campaign visit to members of the NBA Jalingo Branch on Thursday, Badejo-Okunsanya stated that the association should move beyond the perception that it mainly serves private legal practitioners.
She emphasised that the NBA represents lawyers across different sectors, including the public service, academia and corporate organisations, adding that all members deserve equal representation and attention.
She said that, if elected, her administration would prioritise members’ welfare, expand professional opportunities and reinforce the protection and dignity of legal practitioners.
“My desire is to reshape the Bar to become more responsive to the needs of its members. My ambition is to help lawyers earn better, live better and practise better.
“I have plans to restructure the Bar to make it more inclusive. I will also ensure that lawyers are adequately protected and accorded the respect they deserve,” she said.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, who welcomed her, wished her success in the election and urged her to promote unity among NBA branches while strengthening the relationship between the Bar and the Bench if elected.
The Chairman of the NBA Jalingo Branch, Dr Philimon Saredau, assured Badejo-Okunsanya of the branch’s support in the forthcoming election.
Also speaking, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Taraba State Ministry of Justice, Mr Sunday Maikerfi; senior member of the Jalingo Bar, Mr John Okeze; and Mrs Ganki Nana Hassan all pledged their support for Badejo-Okunsanya’s candidacy.
The campaign’s Director-General, Mr Aminu Gadanya (SAN), expressed appreciation to members of the Jalingo Branch for their warm reception and voiced confidence in their support for Badejo-Okunsanya in the forthcoming NBA presidential election.