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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and South African firebrand politician, Julius Malema, are expected in Enugu State on Sunday for the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, from 25 to 29 August, will be formally declared open on 24 August.
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As part of pre-conference activities, NBA President Afam Osigwe, on Saturday, led thousands of lawyers in a health walk across major roads in the Enugu capital.
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Mr Osigwe described the atmosphere in Enugu as thrilling and said the city was a befitting host for the conference, themed “Stand Out, Stand Tall.”
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He said, “Enugu is the capital of the South-east region and also the home of hospitality, beauty, and peace.
“That was why we chose Enugu State to host our conference after moving it from Port Harcourt.
“So, we are here in Enugu to enjoy the best that the people have to offer and also have a conversation about building Nigeria and making it an economic giant in Africa.
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“Our keynote speaker, Julius Malema, is on the ground in Lagos and will touch down here on Sunday. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president who will chair the opening ceremony, will also be on the ground same day.
“We are all set, we are so excited. We are going to make this a never-to-be-forgotten experience, the type that will make you want to come back every time for a conference in Enugu,” he said.
Also speaking to journalists, the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, said the government of Governor Peter Mbah had strategically prepared Enugu to host conferences like that of the NBA and many others.
According to him, Mr Mbah’s administration, in its design and thinking around tourism, hospitality, and economic growth, had already factored in most of what you are seeing in preparation right now.
“Even without the NBA’s plan to come, we had already started planning what would happen if the NBA came here, if the Nigerian Society of Engineers came here, or others,” he stated.
He recalled that not too long ago, Enugu inaugurated 100 Compressed Natural Gas buses and five modern transport terminals.
“The reconstructed and revamped Hotel Presidential was also unveiled, just to name a few. We want to ensure that when people come here, they move around easily, feel safe, and even love to live here.
“We are grateful to the NBA for choosing Enugu and believe that they will have a memorable experience during their stay.”
Meanwhile, one of the lawyers already in the state, Favour Abraham from Minna, Niger, said she was looking forward with excitement to a memorable experience in Enugu.
“This is my second time in Enugu. I came here for the NBA conference in 2005. So, it has been 20 years.
“Today, it is a beautiful city. At least from the airport, we had Enugu State CNG buses actually waiting for us. The people here are hospitable.
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“I can say Igbo people are very warm and welcoming.
“Enugu has changed, and it is a beautiful city. So, we are here to explore, attend our conference, gain more skills and knowledge, and then enjoy Enugu to the fullest.
“We have beautiful things like okpa, isiewu, abacha and more.
“At least we are coming from the North, and we would love to explore the city,” she added.
(NAN)
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