The Chairman of the 2025 Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC), Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, has defended the prominent role given to young lawyers and emerging voices at the just-concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu.
In an exclusive reflection on the conference, Obegolu revealed that the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, had given the committee a clear mandate to deliver a memorable conference while ensuring that the administration’s vision of an “all-inclusive Bar” was evident across every session.
While acknowledging the overall success of the 2025 AGC, Obegolu addressed concerns raised by some colleagues over the selection of panelists, specifically citing the inclusion of Chief Osita Chidoka, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Deji Adeyanju, and Senator Dino Melaye.
He clarified that each of them was carefully chosen for their unique experiences:
- Chief Osita Chidoka, a former Minister, shared insights on “Setting Forth at Dawn”, speaking as someone who attained high public office at a young age.
- Kanayo O. Kanayo, a pioneer in Nollywood, moderated the same session, embodying the theme as a figure who broke ground in a creative industry early in life.
- Deji Adeyanju, a human rights activist, featured on a panel that included both young and senior lawyers, adding value through his advocacy background.
- Senator Dino Melaye provided perspective on legislative oversight.
Obegolu stressed that inclusiveness must remain at the heart of NBA’s growth, noting that young lawyers bring fresh perspectives, technological savvy, and innovative approaches that enrich legal conversations.
Quoting former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, he remarked: “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for development and peace.”
He further emphasized that the Bar must discard the notion that public officers or “new wigs” are unfit to speak at conferences. “The Bar must learn to appreciate that young lawyers have wisdom too,” he stated, arguing that true inclusiveness is achieved when newer generations are given a seat at the table.
Highlighting that over 200 speakers were featured at the conference, he observed that criticism of a handful of young panelists only revealed a deeper bias against younger voices within the profession.
“Conferences stop being echo chambers of the past and become laboratories for the future when young lawyers are included,” he concluded, expressing gratitude for the overall success of the 2025 AGC.
