By Ebere Agozie
The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Mr Afam Okeke says the branch will continue to build trust and commitment amongst its members a successful law profession in Nigeria.
Okeke said this at the presentation of the end of the year package to the first 200 members that paid their 2023 branch dues in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the branch officers approved the novel initiative to encourage members who pay their annual branch dues.
The Chairman noted that the beneficiaries were divided into three categories, first 100 young lawyers that paid their branch dues, six lawyers with disability and first 94 lawyers who are not young lawyers.
“It is our own way of giving back to our members and appreciating them for their support.
“In the words of Paul Newman (American Actor, Film Director, Race car driver, philanthropist and entrepreneur) “I’m not running for sainthood. I just happen to think that in life we need to be a little like the farmer, who puts back into the soil what he takes out.
“We want to assure our members that this initiative will be sustained, we want to use this opportunity to encourage members who did not qualify this year to endeavor to pay their branch dues early in 2024 to qualify’’.
He advised the recipients to strive to be men and women of good character, if they must succeed in life, and to follow the rules and ethics of the profession.
One of the recipients, Mr Isaiah Bozima, SAN, while thanking the branch for such a laudable initiative, requested the chairman of the branch to use his discretion to give his own package to a young lawyer.
One of the young recipients, Ms Zullaihat Ohiare also thanked the Unity Bar for the gesture that made the end of the year special for her.
“I am thrilled about the year-end package.
“The thoughtful contents of the package not only celebrate the culmination of a remarkable year in the Unity Bar but also create a sense of connection and appreciation for the branch that has been a constant source of inspiration.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NBA National Welfare Committee was represented at the event by Mr Nyada Auta to witness the presentation.
