Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, has urged for gender equity in the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“It is quite sad that we have not had a female president of the Bar for over three decades,” Justice Dongban-Mensem stated before a gathering full of legal luminaries and dignitaries at Lagos’ Eko Hotel & Suites on Sunday.
On Sunday, the president of the Appeal Court spoke during the NBA’s 2024 Annual General Conference opening ceremony.
In July’s NBA election, Afam Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was elected president-elect of the Bar, succeeding Yakubu Maikyau. Maikyau succeeded Olumide Akpata and Paul Usoro. The list goes on.
However, Justice Dongban-Mensem stated that the Bar should demonstrate gender parity and justice by nominating a female president.
She said, “Equity and vibrant justice, especially gender-wise, should be fortified and demonstrated in the Nigerian Bar Association.
“It is not encouraging that since the inception of the association, only one female, in the person of Dame Priscilla Kuye, ascended to the seat of the President from 1991 to 1992, in a profession that boasts near equality.
“It is quite sad that we have not had a female president of the Bar for over three decades. We cannot demand equity in a progressive society and be regressive, among our ranks. Therefore, more has to be done.”
The event with the theme, ‘Pressing Forward; A National Posture to Rebuilding Nigeria’, featured stellar personalities at home and abroad.
World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was the keynote speaker at the auspicious occasion. Former President of Ghana John Mahama was present while President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his counterpart in the lower chamber Tajudeen Abbas were also represented at the event.
