Igbo Lawyers association launches inaugural endowment of Igba Boyi Initiative

Wed, Sep 20, 2023

By publisher

6 MIN READ

Politics

By Nwamaka Chigbo

Resources persons at the Igbo Lawyers association endowment launch of IgbaBoyi, Igbo apprentice system

THE members of the Otu Oka-Iwu, a renowned group of Lawyers of Igbo extraction on Thursday, September 14, at the NBA House held Its inaugural endowment launch of Igba Boyi, the Igbo apprentice system, the lawyerly way. The event had Alex Otti, governor of Abia State as the guest of honour but he was represented by Attorney-general Uwanna Ikechukwu of Abia State while Awa Kalu, SAN, was the chairman of the occasion. Other veritable speakers that were present at the well attended event included, notable sons and daughters of Igbo extraction and noble personalities and guests from the different part of Nigeria and all walks of life and the legal field present and counting.

In his welcome address the stalwart Ejiofor Onwuaso, president of Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja, warmly welcomed each and every one to the auspicious occasion of the endowment launch of “Igba Boyi as a Panacea for Mentorship, Growth, and Development within the Legal Profession.”

Ejiofor noted that though the legal profession was originally modeled to imbibe the practice of pupillage, the exponential growth in the number of fresh graduates emerging from the Nigerian Law School yearly has made it almost impracticable for existing law firms and forbears to absorb such young lawyers in their law firms for purposes of pupillage. He stated that lack of capacity and financial resources on the part of the few established law firms to absorb the huge population of young lawyers within the profession often lead to a misplacement of priority, lack of proper mentoring, guidance and missed opportunities on the part of such innocent young wigs who oftentimes derail from the focal point of building a career path along their chosen noble profession to unintended strange disciplines and practices alien to the practice of law as foisted upon them by the accident and circumstances of lack of mentoring support and supervision.

He stated that it is in a bid to stem this tide of lack of mentoring opportunities, diligent training, provision of financial support and human capacity, that Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja has decided to tap into the time-honored rich cultural tapestry of our heritage as Ndi Igbo by seeking to launch an ENDOWMENT that is aimed at introducing the practice of “IGBA BOYI” (Igbo Apprenticeship System) as a credible panacea for growth, mentorship and development of the younger members of the profession of Igbo Origin, noting that the legal profession, with its rich history and complex intricacies, demands a deep commitment to learning, ethical practice, and continuous growth; being a journey that often requires not only rigorous academic training but also the wisdom that comes from seasoned mentors and practitioners. He stated that In adopting the Igba Boyi framework within Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, we recognize that mentorship is not just a passing of knowledge, but a sacred duty. It is a commitment to mold, nurture, and guide the next generation of legal minds of Igbo Extraction and set them on the path of Excellence and sustainable development.

Enthusing further on the Igbo Apprenticeship in the lawyerly way, he said the system is geared to (and shall ) provide a structured platform for aspiring lawyers to serve as apprentices under experienced legal practitioners, imbibing not only the legal doctrines but also the ethics, values, and nuances that define our profession. Through this system such young interns shall be assigned to these law firms over a set period of time ranging from 6 months to one year while being paid salaries from the proceeds of the ENDOWMENT subject to strict supervision and compliance with the eligibility conditions as shall be stipulated. See attached copy of the speech for details.

There is therefore no gainsaying the benefits of this scheme are manifold: as it will ensure the preservation of legal traditions and our cultural heritage, fostering a strong sense of belonging and identity. It also facilitates the acquisition of practical skills and courtroom experience, accelerating the growth and competence of such young law intern.

Sam Amadi, keynote speaker, delivering his very erudite treatise on the topic “IGBA Boyi: A Panacea for Mentorship Growth and Development in the Legal Profession at the occasion eloquently explored the unique potential of the Igbo apprentice system in the context of the legal profession, a field where mentorship and guidance are instrumental in shaping the future of jurisprudence. He noted that the scheme is deeply rooted in Igbo culture of metaphysics and anthropology that wealth has to be created, therefore “Ikpata Ego” disapproves the notion of sudden wealth. Invariably therefore the heart of the concept of Igba Boyi is “the democracy of wealth creation”.

Among other notable Speakers at the event include Chief Kanu AGABI SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association who lauded the epochal concept of the Igba boyi as enunciated by the Out Oka-Iwu and enthused about its adoption by the general Bar if NBA.

Others who attended whose pictures are below include senators and members of the House of Representatives, their lordships, justices, some members of body of benchers, respected father of the day and Josephine Aneni, mother of the day, special guests of honor, president of the Nigerian Bar Association, learned senior advocates, members of the bar and aspiring legal minds.

It was indeed a good and memorable outing for the EXCO and members of the Otu Okaiwu.

Dame Uju Nwakalor Uju – igbo translator/Presenter of NTA ( IGBO), Adaeze Anah- Vice President of Otu Okaiwu, Chinelo Ofuegbu ( Treasurer , Unity Bar, NBA Abuja Branch.

Ezinwa Okoroafor, co-chair of the planning committee and Benbella Anachebe, SAN, one of the Otu Okaiwu stalwarts

Kanu Agabi (SAN) Guest of Honor

Ezinwa Okoroafor exchanging pleasantries with Yakubu Maikyau, SAN,

Notable Ladies of Unity Bar and Otu Okiwu; from the left Mrs Chioma Onyenucheya- Uko, Mrs Ogechi Abu, Mrs Ozioma Izuora, Chibuzor Nwosu, Mrs Obiageli Nwosu,, Odera Ozobialu