The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum (NBAWF) is pleased to announce its upcoming conference scheduled for Wednesday, 24^th March 2021. The conference, the first by the NBAWF will feature an opening ceremony, five themed panel discussions and a training collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network.

The conference will begin at 9am with opening remarks by Her Excellency, Anna Ishaku, first lady of Taraba State; Terry Mazur, Chair of the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association; Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigeria Bar Association; Hon. Justice Roli Harriman and Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The keynote address will be delivered by Oby Ezekwesili, Public Analyst and Former Vice President, World Bank’s Africa Region.

The first session captioned “Leadership, Board Participation and Equal Representation in Governance: The Anomaly of Sexism” will feature Taiwo Olusesi, Registrar/CEO ICSAN; Joyce Oduah, General Secretary, NBA; Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, MD, Fidelity Bank; Nkechi Onyenso, Facilitator, Governance and Institution Policy Commission, NESG; Rimini Makama, Director, Microsoft, and will be moderated by Nsidibe Aideyan, Secretary, NBA Women Forum.

The second session on “Gender Diversity and Unity in the Legal Profession: Working Together to Normalise Equality” will highlight the success stories of women silks and the role of female judges in the development of the judiciary, among others. The discussion will be led by Chief Folake Solanke, SAN and moderated by Folashade Alli, Head Advocacy Committee, NBAWF and Principal Partner, Folashade Alli & Associates. Other discussants are Justice Roli Harriman, Aisha Alao, General Counsel, Notore, Funke Agbor, SAN and Rashidat Mohammed.

The third session themed, “The Future is Female: Actions for Accelerating the Growth of Female Lawyers In-House” aims to address the wage disparity between men and women of equal proficiency, how to negotiate for higher pay, and opportunities in the gig-economy for women. This panel moderated by Ayotola Jagun, Chief Compliance/Company Secretary, Oando Plc will feature as discussants Bidemi Ademola, General Counsel, West Africa, Unilever; Seye Kosoko, Company Secretary, FBN Holdings; Ifeoma Utah, General Manager, Legal Services, MTN Nigeria, and Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Partner, Africa Law Practice.

The fourth session on Gender Bias: Challenging Stereotypes and Reinforcing Diversity and Inclusion focuses on gender equity in academic careers, sexual harassment in the legal profession and the role of female senior lawyer. This discussion will be led by Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and moderated by Dr. Foluke Dada, Council Member, NBAWF. Other discussants are Prof Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, Chairperson NBAWF and Social Justice Administrator, University of Ibadan; Inime Chinwenwo Aguma, Commissioner for Social Welfare & Rehabilitation, Rivers state; Ummahani Amin, Partner, MetLaw and African International Conference on Islamic Finance (AICIF) and Seni Adio, SAN, Managing Partner, Copley Partners and Former Chairman, NBA Section on Business Law.

The fifth session themed, Leading the Charge for Gender Development: Role of the Nigerian Female Lawyer aims to discuss certain paradigm shifts required for the dynamics of equality in the workplace, maternal health, and the path to partnership for the young female lawyer. Discussants in this panel include Stella Duru, Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo; Yejide Osunkeye, Principal, YBO Legal; Dolapo Kukoyi, Partner, Detail Solicitors; Ozofu Ogiemudia, Partner, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and Perenami Momodu, Partner, AELEX. This panel will be moderated by Chinyere Okorocha, Vice Chair, NBAWF and Partner, Jackson, Etti & Edu.

Furthermore, on Thursday, there will be an exclusive special training for young female lawyers, organized by the United Nations Global Compact Network (UNGC) on The Women Empowerment Principles’ Gender Gap Analysis Tool (GAT). The training will be led by Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director, UNGC, Nigeria; Elizabeth Anna Resch, Adviser, UNGC and Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose (SAN).

Follow link below to register for the conference.

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Click Here to Register: http://nbawomenforum.org.ng/iwd-virtual-conference