By Tom Zaneni, Abuja
Afam Osigwe has mounted the saddle as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
He officially assumed leadership of the NBA after taking the oath of office at a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday.
Osigwe is a former general secretary of the legal body.
He takes over from Yakubu Maikyau, signaling the commencement of his tenure as the leader of the NBA.
The new NBA president was elected in July 2024, defeating two other contestants for the position.
He was declared winner of the election by the chairman of the electoral committee of the association, Oluseun Abimbola, after securing 50.52 per cent of the votes cast.
Osigwe polled 20,435 votes to beat the chairman of the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, who scored 10,998 votes (27.19 per cent) to emerge second, and a former chairman of the NBA, Lagos branch, Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), who came third with 9,018 votes (22.29 per cent).
In his inaugural speech, Osigwe expressed his commitment to ensuring that the NBA remains a powerful voice that would hold government accountable, promote rule of law and human rights.
He said, “Under my watch, the Nigerian Bar Association will not shy away from holding the federal and state governments accountable.
“The rule of law must be upheld, and the rights of Nigerians must be protected.”
Osigwe thanked the members of the NBA for finding him worthy to lead the legal body, and pledged to work assiduously.
“I am deeply honoured by this responsibility, and I pledge to work tirelessly to advance the interests of our members and the broader Nigerian society,” he said.
