The president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has pledged to lead the legal association with fairness and accountability.
Badejo-Okusanya made the promise on Sunday in her first speech following her emergence as NBA’s president.
It had been earlier reported that the female lawyer defeated two other senior lawyers in the presidential election.
She called on members of the legal profession to unite behind a common vision for the Bar.
She expressed her gratitude to lawyers across Nigeria for the confidence reposed in her, describing her victory as one that belongs to every member who believes the NBA can become stronger, more inclusive and more responsive to the needs of legal practitioners.
“I am truly humbled by the confidence that members of the Nigerian Bar Association have reposed in me by electing me to serve as your President,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya thanked members who supported her campaign, stating that the election was driven by a shared desire to build an association that serves all lawyers.
The senior lawyer disclosed that her campaign took her across the country, where she interacted with lawyers in every state and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
She added that those engagements gave her a better understanding of the expectations, concerns and aspirations of members, which would now shape her administration.
According to the newly elected NBA president, she reached out to lawyers who voted for her opponents, stressing that the contest had ended and that the association must now move forward as one united body committed to promoting justice, the rule of law and the legal profession.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to every member who participated in this election, regardless of the candidate you supported. The election is over. We are one Bar, united by a common commitment to the advancement of our profession and the defence of justice and the rule of law,” she said.
