NBA AGC 2025 Kicks Off in Enugu with Powerful Call for Bold Leadership and African Sovereignty

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) opened its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) yesterday in Enugu with a resounding call for courageous and principled leadership, as legal professionals from across the country and beyond gathered under the theme “Stand Out, Stand Tall.”

In his opening address, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, set the tone for the week-long conference, urging lawyers to embrace excellence and resilience in addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.

“To stand out is to embrace excellence, and to stand tall is to show courage especially in these times when our nation needs principled voices and resilient leadership more than ever,” Osigwe stated.

The event was marked by the presence of high-profile guests, including South African political leader and President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Mr. Julius Malema, who delivered the keynote address.

Malema challenged delegates to pursue economic justice, social inclusion, and the protection of African sovereignty through bold and transformative leadership.

“We demand one borderless Africa with one President and one currency, one military command, one parliament because we know the currency of Africa will be much stronger against the American currency. We must stand together as the world changes and show the world that Africa is one and equal to all Nations like China, Russia, America and others. We are a big continent, we are not a dark continent when we have diamonds amongst us. We are a shining nation.”

Also in attendance were the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Peter Mbah; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar; Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Sam Ode; and several past presidents of the NBA.