By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference kicks off on Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Our correspondent gathered that delegates have already started arriving from all parts of the country for the conference. While some flew to Lagos to connect transportation to Ibadan, others flew directly to Ibadan Airport.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is said to have been mobilised for the event.
The Conference Planning Committee (CPC) led by former NBA 2nd vice president and fiery human rights activist, Mr. Monday Ubani had already taken delivery of all conference materials.
Delegates that arrived earlier had collected their conference materials from the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, NBA Ibadan Branch at Iyaganku, Ibadan between 1 pm and 5 pm on Sunday.
Collection of conference materials continues on Monday and Tuesday at Felicia Hall of the Jogor Centre, by Liberty Road, Ibadan from 9 am to 5 pm.
Meanwhile, the Welcome Party by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola kicked off on Sunday by 6 pm at the NBA Ibadan Branch Bar Centre.
This set the stage and put the delegates in the right mood for the opening ceremony and the plenary starting from 9 am, Monday (today) at the Jogor Centre.
However, registration is still ongoing for the conference which has speakers already committed to attending the ceremony.
According to a statement by the Head of Media & Publicity Sub-committee, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, the speakers have confirmed participation in the conference.
At least three governors have assured that they would attend the conference in person, including Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); Bauchi State Governor, Dr. Bala Mohammed, and the host Governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde (FNSE) who had assured delegates of a “very good experience” while in Ibadan.
Aside the speakers from the superior courts of record and key state actors such as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa and INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu who are expected at the conference, virtually all leading human rights activists in Nigeria are set to hit Ibadan from Monday (today).
These include Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Aisha Yesufu, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mr. Chino Obiagwu (SAN), Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), Mr. Deji Adeyanju and Mr. Jiti Ogunye, to name a few. Also poised to storm Ibadan are Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Senator Dino Melaye among others.
The conference is designed as a hybrid event, as delegates can attend in-person or join virtually through encrypted, owner-only links.
