The Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, to the glory of God, successfully participated in the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) held in Enugu, Coal City State. To the glory of God, members of the Branch have since returned safely to Ilorin despite several challenges encountered during the conference.

Transportation Challenges

The Branch had earlier secured the University of Ilorin Marcopolo Bus to convey its members to Enugu. However, late on Friday, 22nd August 2025, information was received that the bus, which was en route from Lagos, had hooked down and could not arrive Ilorin as scheduled for the trip. To ensure that the 73 registered members were not stranded, the Branch promptly arranged alternative commercial transportation at the cost of ₦48,000 per member, notwithstanding that each had earlier paid the subsidized sum of ₦40,000 for the round trip.

Conference Tags palaver

The executives arrived at the AGC arena to receive the Branch's tag on behalf of our members. But we were informed by the AGC Planning Committee (AGCPC) that 164 conference tags for Ilorin Branch delegates had been dispatched. Regrettably, none was received before departure. The executives had to insist on a replacement; with assistant of Mr Augustine N. Eseagwu and Mr Sodiq, members of AGC, another tags were eventually produced to enable members to gain entry into the conference venue. Ironically, the original tags were eventually delivered to the Branch Secretariat in Ilorin on Monday, 25th August 2025, when members were already in Enugu. Members are to contact the bar clerk to collect their tags.

Accommodation issue

The Branch also encountered accommodation challenges, as six out of 35 rooms rooms earlier secured for members have been allocated to another on arrival. Alternative arrangements were immediately made to ensure every member was adequately accommodated.

The branch's practice to accommodate members that arranged travel with the branch a free night at the conference was also kept, though on a pairing basis. To achieve this, 20 rooms at rate of 40,000 were secured by the branch. There were members with separate hotel arrangements , but they were inside the NBA bus. At the time the buses arrived in Enugu, it was already late and they couldn't get to their hotels. The branch had to arrange rooms for them till the following day.

Sporting Activities>/h6>

The Branch actively participated in the football and chess competitions. A coastal bus was provided to convey 30 footballers and their crew, with the Branch fully responsible for transportation, feeding, and accommodation. While the football team exited at the preliminary stage, the Branch proudly celebrated Mr. Tajudeen Adebayo Lawal, Chairman of the Sports Committee, who secured third place in the chess competition.

Safety on Transit

Seven (7) buses were utilized by the Branch for the AGC. Two of these buses were involved in road mishaps, the coastal bus conveying the footballers en route to Enugu, and another on the return trip. To the glory of God, none of our members sustained any injury.

Appreciation

The NBA Ilorin Branch extends sincere appreciation to our esteemed Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), senior members, and colleagues who contributed to the Sports Committee and assisted the Branch in diverse ways. Their support ensured the Branch’s active participation and success at the AGC.

Despite the challenges encountered with transportation, accommodation, and logistics, the NBA Ilorin Branch recorded a successful outing at the 2025 AGC. We remain grateful to Almighty God for journey mercies and commend our members for their resilience, commitment, and cooperation throughout the conference.

Y. O. Ahmed-Aliagan Esq.
PPRO, NBA, Ilorin Branch.