LEADERSHIP WITH RESPONSIBILITY

 

NACL LAGOS – MAIDEN ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PRESIDENT’S OPENING ADDRESS

 

Distinguished Chairperson and Panellists, My Lord Justices, Rev. Fathers and Rev. Sisters present, Patrons of NACL, Benchers, Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Learned Seniors, Colleagues, and Friends, Gentlemen of the Press, Distinguished members of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN); Distinguished members of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

On behalf of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers, Lagos Archdiocese, I welcome you all to NACL Lagos maiden annual conference.

 

The National Association of Catholic Lawyers, Lagos Archdiocese (NACL Lagos) is the umbrella body of all Catholic Lawyers within the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos united in selfless service at different strata of the Society.

 

The strategic objectives of NACL Lagos includes the provision of Pro Bono services and deployment of intervention projects for the benefit of the indigent and vulnerable members of the Society; and promotion of good governance as a tool for ensuring equity, fairness and justice for the downtrodden. The birthing of this Conference is one of the Association’s initiatives towards actualising these objectives.

 

The theme of this maiden Conference is “LEADERSHIP WITH RESPONSIBILITY” a theme that has been carefully chosen to reflect the present state of our Nation’s socio-political history.

 

Today 13 July 2023, Day 1 of the Conference will feature panel discussions on burning issues in the Nigerian Polity centred on leadership/governance and the economy. These conversations will be steered by an array of distinguished governance, economic and public affairs analysts who have graciously given their valuable time and wealth of experiences towards the cause to promote a better Nigeria. We look forward to the engaging and impactful sessions lined up for the day.

 

In addition to driving robust discussions around leadership/governance, the economy, and general development, NACL Lagos seeks to use this Conference as a platform to raise funds to finance its objectives of impacting the lives of the less privileged and vulnerable, and promotion of equity, fairness and justice in the Nigerian polity. In that regard, tomorrow - Day 2 of our Conference will be largely dedicated to a Fund Raising Dinner for NACL Lagos activities with further conversations around good governance, how in our different ways we can impact the lives of the downtrodden by giving back to the Society and making Nigeria a better place for us all.

 

As we settle into the Conference and the robust conversations that will follow, let us remember that leading with responsibility starts with each of us playing our roles effectively in whatever environment we find ourselves; taking responsibility for our actions and holding each other accountable; being our brother’s keeper; upholding the principles of equity, fairness and justice at all times; appreciating the sanctity of human life and understanding that our actions or inactions impact negatively or positively on the lives of others.

 

On a closing note, whilst I understand that this is not a closing remark, permit me to especially thank our distinguished Conference Chairperson, distinguished Panelists and Moderators who responded to our invitations within a very short notice, despite their very busy schedules. My appreciation further goes to the Chairperson and members of the Planning Committee, our wonderful donors, sponsors, and partners who all had worked tirelessly to deliver this maiden conference. To all participants, thank you for responding to our invitation and for showing up despite today being a working day.

 

We look forward to your active participations in the conversations, and as we all resolve to contribute our quota to nation building and promotion of better life for every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, creed and political leaning.

 

Thank you.

 

Florence Atuluku

ADDRESS BY CHIEF DR. MRS ONIKEPO NIKE AKANDE, CON, OON, F.IOD AT THE INAUGURAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC LAWYERS (NACL) LAGOS HELD ON THE 13^TH OF JULY, 2023 AT

THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL, LAGOS CAMPUS.

 

Distinguished Guests, various industry representatives and stakeholders here present, it is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you to the Inaugural Annual Conference of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL) Lagos Archdiocese.

 

I congratulate the NACL Lagos on the occasion of her Inaugural Conference aptly themed, Leadership with Responsibility. The NACL is one of the voices through which the Catholic Church speaks truth to power in our Nation and I must say that this Conference is timely.

 

Given our democratic history as Nigerians, the milestones we have achieved as a Nation in relation to where we want to be or should be can only be measured in terms of our economic development and the resultant effect of our policies at the grassroots. Taking a look at the events and circumstances leading to the recently concluded gubernatorial elections, the different instances of insecurity and violence, the attendant economic instability, one is compelled to muse in the words of the late Nigerian music legend, Mr. Sonny Okosun, “Which way Nigeria?”

 

Indeed, the different facets of our Society - socio-political and economic - must synergise to deliver on the promises made by our leaders, hence the call to responsibility and accountability.  

 

A look at the sub-topics of this Conference shows an attempt to tackle the question of leadership from an all-inclusive viewpoint. This seeks to identify the unifying factors in our diverse socio-ethnic heritage; call holders of political office to account by implementing sanctions for corruption and non-performance; revamp the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors of our economy in order to strengthen the competitive edge of our local service providers in international markets and attract foreign investment. Achieving this will, of course, require mending the rifts that have steadily widened through tribal and cultural differences.

 

The choice of session themes are packaged for evaluation by an array of stakeholders carefully selected from the cream of the legal profession and academia, financial services and capital markets and promise an engaging experience. I definitely look forward to having conversations on:

·        Fostering leadership through the lens of diversity

·        Accountable governance

·        Innovation as a viable tool for economic growth

·        Truth and reconciliation: a panacea for peace and economic development in Nigeria

 

The high point of this two-day event is the Fundraising Dinner for the pro bono interventions of NACL. It is my hope that everyone of us here present will support  NACL by your active participation at this Conference and your generous donations at the dinner.

 

I am confident that you will leave this Conference really enriched and so I wish you happy deliberations and a successful Conference.

 

Thank you.