DELTA GOVT LAWYERS, OBASANJO, MALEMA, OVER 20,000 OTHERS GATHER IN ENUGU FOR 2025 NBA CONFERENCE
Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, transformed into a beehive of activities on Sunday as lawyers from the Delta State Ministry of Justice joined former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, South African firebrand politician Julius Malema, and over 20,000 legal practitioners from across the country for the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The conference, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, opened formally under the theme “Stand Out, Stand Tall.”
In his welcome address, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe urged lawyers to embody excellence and courage, particularly in the face of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
“‘Stand Tall’ means remaining unbending in our defence of the rule of law, equity and justice. We must have the courage of conviction, especially in moments when silence feels more comfortable,” he said.
Osigwe added that the AGC serves as a collective platform for strengthening professionalism, capacity building, and policy advocacy in the justice sector.
The event also attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who officially declared the conference open.
According to him, “development cannot be achieved without a justice system that is fair, functional, and trusted.”
Another major highlight was the attendance of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III. He stressed that justice must remain accessible to all, warning that when it becomes a commodity, “the poor suffer legal failure while the rich evade accountability.”
Delegates also witnessed a powerful keynote address by Mr. Julius Malema, President of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Receiving a standing ovation, Malema called for deeper pan-African unity including a single currency, a unified military structure, and borderless continental movement to end exploitation and dependence.
He condemned xenophobia and advocated for the industrialization of Africa’s mineral resources, urging the NBA to evolve into more than just a legal gathering but a catalyst for continental transformation.
