By: Rafiu Tolani Kolawole, LLB, BL, CSC, AICMC, AMCDI
I will be very objective, blunt, and sincere based on my personal experience. This represents my humble opinion and may not reflect the views of others.
The AGC Planning Committee 2025 in Enugu was constituted as follows:
Chairman: Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN
Alternate Chair: Sammie Somiari, SAN
Secretary: Barbara Omosun
Alternate Secretary: Olaide Oluwayomi-Ajewole
Members: Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN; Babatunde Ogala, SAN; Prof. Festus Emiri, SAN; Chukwuma Osenyenim; Chukwuma Ezeala; Williams Daudu; Hadiza Saeed Santali; Sola Dosunmu; Kofo Salam-Alada; Naboth Onyeso; Edidiong Peter Eyoh; Enome Amatey; Victor Nwaugo; Victor Chapi; Junaidu Abubakar; Kaine Ananwune; Nike Omotayo; Oghahenhen Edamwen; Hafsat Kabara Sani; Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem; Obasi-Obi Nwabueze; Mohammed Adelodun; Lekan Bello; Victoria Yetunde Adeboye; Augustine Eseagwu; Uyi Ayela; Rashidat Mohammed; Dayo Akeredolu; Afam Okeke; Dr. Ismail Adua; Dr. Amarachi Opara; Stephen Ighomuaye; Franklin Deinye; Chinedu Maduba; Sadiya Sule; Precious Omoroye Abi; Clifford Okoye; Aramide Adekunle-Fatokun; Abdulrahman Yusuf Abdulkadir; Samson Gotom; Boma Daniel; Nabal Alfred Inemugha; Echika Ejido; Nafisa Muhammed; Mrs. Faith Nwanchor; Osato Uwagboe; Michael Asugo; Sameera Tabo; Adeola Olawumi; Olusegun Thomas Olaotan; Amina Imana Adebowale; Ramlat Zubairu; Huwaila Ibrahim Mohammed; Sanni Abbas; Chidubem Ekwelem; Muslima Nagode; John Austin Unachukwu; Nnamdi Anagor; Folasade Abiodun.
Identified Shortfalls
1. Attendants: The hired AGC attendants were practically ineffective. They did not assist conferees with seating arrangements, provide information on restroom locations, or offer general guidance. Most conferees discovered facilities on their own. Moderators also failed to direct participants to available spaces in the gallery, leading to congestion on the lower floors.
2. Food arrangement: The food stands were disorganized, with very long queues moving slowly. Some participants abandoned the meals out of frustration.
3. High food prices: Vendors at the Mammy Market sold meals at exorbitant rates, attributing this to the high cost of securing stalls.
4. Transportation challenges: Although two buses were made available, many conferees were unaware of this. As a result, transport operators such as Uber, Bolt, and Keke Napep exploited lawyers financially.
5. Unbarred Party: Lawyers were initially denied chairs and told to stand throughout the event. This directive from the AGC Committee nearly caused a fracas with security personnel. Eventually, after protest, chairs were allowed.
6. Football Tournament: There were no chairs, refreshments, or proper arrangements. Expenses were borne solely by the participating NBA branches.
7. Network problems: Internet connectivity at the ICC was extremely poor, making communication and access difficult.
8. Collection of conference materials: Participants were made to travel to the Enugu State High Court rather than collecting materials at the ICC. This created unnecessary stress and financial burden.
9. Absence of brochures: Conference bags contained no brochures, and none were distributed.
10. Late registration fees: The cost of late registration was unreasonably high, bordering on exploitation.
Some Positive Attributes
1. Despite space limitations, the Committee improved publicity by sensitizing conferees about viewing centers and the gallery at the ICC.
2. Although food queues were long, those who waited were rewarded with high-quality and well-prepared meals.
3. For the first time in AGC history, Law Officers were given a dedicated session, courtesy of the Law Officers Forum under the NBA Presidency of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
4. The humility and responsiveness of the AGC Chairman, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, deserve commendation. For instance, when complaints were raised on WhatsApp about poor air conditioning in Friendship Centre (Hall 5), he acted swiftly and resolved the issue.
5. Sessions at the AGC were engaging, intellectually stimulating, and of excellent quality.
6. The conference bags were creatively designed, attractive, and functional.
7. Social activities were entertaining and memorable.
8. The Unbarred Party, despite its hitch, was a massive success and highly enjoyable.
9. Security throughout the AGC was adequate and reassuring.
My Suggestions and Recommendations
1. The AGC Committee should partner with host state governments, ministries of transportation, and the NURTW to provide subsidized transport for conferees.
2. The Committee should also partner with hoteliers through the state government to prevent hotels from exploiting conferees with inflated rates.
3. Meals should be pre-packaged neatly (including water and drinks) before serving time to reduce waiting periods and avoid crowding. Plastic waste can be managed through recycling initiatives.
4. Ineffective attendants should no longer be engaged. They contributed nothing beyond dressing up in AGC shirts.
5. Late registration fees should be reduced to reasonable levels. Lawyers should not be unduly punished for late payments.
My Final Assessment
Without fear or favour, I sincerely state that the 2025 AGC in Enugu was one of the best ever held. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
Kudos to the entire AGC Planning Committee.
Rafiu Tolani Kolawole
State Counsel, Head of Unit, Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Center (Ijaiye/AIT Axis)
Administrator, Lawyers Forum | Admin, All Lagos Courts Lawyers and Registrars Fora
Member, Law Reform Committee (NBA under YC Maikyau, SAN)
Member, Local Government Monitoring Committee (NBA under Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN)
Member, Law Officers Forum (NBA under Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN)
