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Prominent legal practitioner, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, has urged the President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, to make reconciliation and unity within the association a top priority as she prepares to assume office.
Badejo-Okusanya made history as the first woman to be directly elected by members of the NBA to lead the association, a milestone widely described as significant for the legal profession in Nigeria.
In a congratulatory message, Pinheiro commended the President-elect for what he described as her record of excellence, courage and inclusive leadership. He, however, noted that she would be taking over an association facing deep internal divisions.
According to him, the NBA is currently fragmented along generational, ideological and, in some instances, personal lines, stressing that restoring cohesion should be central to her administration.
“The Bar is currently polarised along several lines; generational, ideological, and sometimes personal. Healing these divisions and building a truly cohesive, inclusive and purpose-driven Bar must be at the heart of your agenda,” he said.
Pinheiro maintained that rebuilding unity within the association goes beyond internal administration, arguing that it is essential to the NBA’s ability to discharge its responsibility to society.
He said only a united Bar can effectively defend the rule of law, promote the welfare of legal practitioners and continue serving as a strong voice for justice, accountability and good governance in Nigeria.
Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence also marks a landmark moment in the association’s history. Although Dame Priscilla Kuye served as NBA president in 1991 after succeeding from the position of vice president following a resignation, Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to secure the office through a direct election by the association’s membership.
Pinheiro concluded by pledging his support for the incoming leadership, expressing confidence that the new administration has the opportunity to build a stronger, more united and more impactful Nigerian Bar Association. to assume office.
Badejo-Okusanya made history as the first woelected by members of the NBA to lead the association, a milestone widely described as significant for the legal profession in Nigeria.
In a congratulatory message, Pinheiro commended the President-elect for what he described as her record of excellence, courage and inclusive leadership. He, however, noted that she would be taking over an association facing deep internal divisions.
According to him, the NBA is currently fragmented along generational, ideological and, in some instances, personal lines, stressing that restoring cohesion should be central to her administration.
“The Bar is currently polarised along several lines; generational, ideological, and sometimes personal. Healing these divisions and building a truly cohesive, inclusive and purpose-driven Bar must be at the heart of your agenda,” he said.
Pinheiro maintained that rebuilding unity within the association goes beyond internal administration, arguing that it is essential to the NBA’s ability to discharge its responsibility to society.
He said only a united Bar can effectively defend the rule of law, promote the welfare of legal practitioners and continue serving as a strong voice for justice, accountability and good governance in Nigeria.
Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence also marks a landmark moment in the association’s history. Although Dame Priscilla Kuye served as NBA president in 1991 after succeeding from the position of vice president following a resignation, Badejo-Okusanya is the first woman to secure the office through a direct election by the association’s membership.
Pinheiro concluded by pledging his support for the incoming leadership, expressing confidence that the new administration has the opportunity to build a stronger, more united and more impactful Nigerian Bar Association.
