The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, attended the NBA Young Lawyers Forum Maiduguri Branch Summit, where he was warmly received by members of the Bar and participants at the event.
He expressed his deep appreciation for the hospitality and camaraderie extended to him, describing the summit as a timely and important gathering for young lawyers in the North East and across the country.
Delivering his goodwill message at the summit themed “Empowering the Next Generation of Lawyers: Building Competence, Resilience, and Relevance in a Changing Legal Landscape,” the NBA President noted that the theme could not be more apt in light of the rapidly evolving demands of legal practice.
He observed that the summit provided a valuable platform to engage young lawyers on the critical pillars that must define their professional journey, namely competence, resilience, and relevance.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, noted that it has always been the clear and consistent position of the Nigerian Bar Association that lawyers cannot effectively discharge their professional duties without building and sustaining competence.
He noted that competence is not a matter of choice but a core professional obligation, firmly recognised under the Rules of Professional Conduct.
According to him, it is competence that earns the confidence of clients, commands respect within the justice system, and ultimately sustains the relevance of lawyers in an increasingly competitive and specialised legal environment.
The NBA President further stressed that relevance in the legal profession is directly tied to a lawyer’s willingness to continuously learn, adapt, and grow. He encouraged young lawyers to deliberately position themselves for long-term professional development, noting that resilience in the face of economic, professional, and systemic challenges is built through knowledge, skill acquisition, and ethical practice.
He highlighted Continuous Professional Development as an indispensable tool for repositioning young lawyers for growth, excellence, and leadership in the profession.
In concluding his remarks, the NBA President congratulated the NBA Young Lawyers Forum Maiduguri Branch for the successful organisation of the summit and commended the leadership for creating a platform focused on capacity building and professional advancement.
He wished the organisers and participants a productive and impactful summit, expressing confidence that the discussions and engagements would contribute meaningfully to shaping competent, resilient, and relevant lawyers for the future of the Nigerian Bar.
Photos:
