It was an excellent interview with Olumide Akpata today. Very practical responses to issues affecting the Bar and ways of dealing with them. Responses that can only come from a deep appreciation of the issues and practical knowledge of how the challenge can be dealt with. Olumide Akpata is indeed ready to lead.

Olu had a lot to say but had too little time to engage. HERE ARE SOME SOUND BITES (PART ONE):

1."Access to finance for members on reasonable grounds especially those looking to set up their own practices should be a key component of our welfare"

2."NBA under my watch will not condone maltreatment of any lawyers. NBA will need to step up and protect interest of its members”

3."I know the role health insurance has played in my being healthy. That is what I want every lawyer to enjoy. NBA under my watch will set up a properly capitalised health insurance scheme that will help pay for lawyers to tackle health related issues”.

4.“The NBA will have lawyers on retainer across the country and their job will be to defend other lawyers who suffer any form of harassment from law enforcement agencies and get paid from a welfare fund”.

HERE ARE SOME MORE SOUND BITES (PART TWO):

5.“I am available to lead and dedicate my time to the service of the Bar. At this critical time of our existence, the NBA needs a President that can be available on a 24/7 basis to deal with its challenging issues and build an institution”.

6.“Should I become President, my partners have agreed that my two years in office will be converted into a sabbatical to enable me focus on the NBA. I hope that I will be the last President that would have to make the sacrifice of abandoning work to focus on building the Bar and the profession”.

7.“Military lawyer, law officers, in-house counsel, disabled lawyer, elderly lawyer, young lawyers and senior lawyers must all be given their place. Everybody must have a seat at the table. The Bar will be made to work for all”

8.“In instances where lawyers are harassed by security agencies, I will personally lead the charge against such aberration,”

HERE ARE EVEN MORE SOUND BITES (PART THREE):

9.“We must deal with issues of sexual harassment and workplace abuse of lawyers. We can't keep condoning such violation of personal dignity”

10."I am the one with recent and most relevant experience to lead the Bar. The Bar needs a President who can hit the ground running immediately. We can’t afford the luxury of having the president learn on the job”.

11.“Welfare is not equipment leasing. It is welfare from renumeration, it is welfare from capacity building, it is welfare from healthcare, and it is welfare from protection of our income and businesses"-

12."Leadership is about being a good manager of men and resources. I think that I have been a good manager of both”.