ADDRESS BY TOCHUKWU ONYIUKE, SAN

On the Occasion of the 66th NBA Annual General Conference, Port Harcourt 2026

​Learned Silk, Benchers, Branch Chairmen, and Distinguished Colleagues,

​We convene at Yakubu Gowon Stadium for the 66th Annual General Conference under a theme that demands substantive action: "Beyond Limits." As the Bar gathers to deliberate on the rule of law, economic governance, and institutional reform, our focus must remain squarely on standard-setting, professional accountability, and the welfare of our members.

​Critical Conference Directives & Key Developments:

Institutional Inclusivity: The inaugural Annual General Meeting of the NBA Lawyers With Disabilities Forum (NBA-LWDF) holds on Wednesday, 26th August at 4:00 PM (Yakubu Gowon Stadium). Our commitment to equity within the Association must be demonstrated through active support of this forum.​

Digital Welfare Infrastructure: The National Secretariat has deployed the NBA Digital Welfare Portal (welfare.nigerianbar.org.ng). Members are advised to utilize this portal for seamless enrolment in the NBA-NHIA GIFSHIP health insurance scheme, direct processing of death benefit claims, and administrative management without manual bottlenecks. 

-​Virtual Access Protocols: Conferees accessing sessions remotely via agc.nigerianbar.org.ng/agc/virtual/dashboard.php must note that full live-streaming of plenaries and breakouts is strictly reserved for virtual registrants. Physical registrants maintain dashboard access for schedule verification and session resources. 

-​Inter-Branch Competition: On the field, Team Lagos has set a commanding standard, securing an emphatic 4–1 victory over NBA Owerri in the AGC President’s Cup, while the Premier Queens earned a winning point against Sagbama. Let us extend our full support as they press toward the finals.

​As we navigate the deliberations, plenaries, and Section AGMs ahead, let us uphold the highest traditions of the Bar and drive meaningful progress for our profession.

​I wish you all an intellectually rigorous and successful conference.

​Tochukwu Onyiuke, SAN