New NBA Ibadan chairman promises result-oriented leadership

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch has sworn in Adekola Kareem as its new chairman, making a pledge of providing result-oriented leadership.

The new chairman was inaugurated on Saturday alongside eight other executive members in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nine-member executive committee was sworn in by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court.

The new executives are: Dr Olusola Olorunfemi as Vice Chairman, David Adejorin as Secretary, and Raheed Khan as Publicity Secretary.

Idrees Openiyi was sworn in as Financial Secretary, Tijesunimi Olugbinle as Social Secretary, and Mofeyisara Ajao as Assistant Secretary.

Temiloluwa Morakinyo occupies the office of the Treasurer, and Timisola Adebisi holds the office of the Welfare Secretary.

In his inaugural speech, Kareem described his victory as “a burden to translate our campaign promises to tangible results”.

He said the journey was arduous but fulfilling because of the members’ confidence and support.

He pledged result-oriented leadership, built on results, productivity, and measurable impact rather than rhetoric or empty promises.

Kareem added that his campaign promises remained firmly engraved in his heart and pledged full commitment to their fulfilment for the benefit of the branch.

He said that his administration would support every executive member to implement their vision and programmes, adding that the goal was to deliver a transformative administration.

He said that members’ welfare and dignity would be prioritised.

The new NBA Ibadan chairman also announced plans to inaugurate the branch cooperative society, commencing with a revolving loan programme to ease members’ financial burdens.

“We shall also develop a framework for insurance coverage for members of the branch,” he said.

Kareem added that his team would pursue initiatives to improve lawyers’ remuneration and working conditions.

The chairman was very emphatic on the members being subjected to harassment.

“The days when legal practitioners are subjected to humiliation, intimidation, harassment, or victimisation must come to an end,” he said.

According to him, the bar will respond appropriately whether such acts emanate from judicial officers, law enforcement agencies, or anti-corruption agencies.

Kareem added: “This administration will stand firmly in defence of the dignity and independence of the legal profession.

“We shall ensure that the voice and influence of lawyers continue to be profoundly felt throughout Ibadan and beyond.”

He promised zero tolerance for quackery and pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to rid society of impostors parading as legal practitioners.

He restated his commitment to an inclusive bar, emphasising that efforts would be made to reach every lawyer within the jurisdiction.

He said the administration would re-engage colleagues who had become disengaged from branch activities.

He declared “neither victor nor vanquished” to unite the branch, while extending a hand of fellowship to his opponents in the election.

Kareem remarked that he was impressed by their ideas, campaigns, and aspirations.