Dele Adesina SAN was elected General Secretary of the NBA between the year 2002 – 2004 and his successes as an administrator of the NBA Secretariat still remain a template for other elected executives in similar position to follow. The Deacon is a stickler for corporate governance principles and he brought this to bear while serving the Association as General Secretary.
As a civil and commercial litigator with over 37 years practice experience and a proponent of strict corporate governance principles, it is no surprise that one of the policies instituted by the Deacon was to ensure that the Executives of the Association met regularly, at least once a month. The essence of this monthly meetings as a corporate governance principle was in order to promote the cohesion and dynamism of the Executive.
Little wonder, that administration still remains one of the most innovative in the history of the NBA and their accomplishments which Dele Adesina, SAN alongside others such as the erudite and quintessential advocate, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN as President, have formed some of the major corner pieces on which the NBA holds itself today. Some of these legacy achievements include –
(1) Registering the Association with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a Juristic person.
(2) Introduced the Stamp and Seal policy to check incidences of fake lawyers and to promote professionalism by members.
(3) Published 8 volumes of the Nigerian Bar Journal. The editorial board of which was headed by Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN.
(4) Established two (2) insurance schemes with Great Nigeria Insurance Company Limited to cover Group Personal Accident Insurance Policies and Group Life Assurance Policies for lawyers.
(5) During Dele’s time as General Secretary of the Association (2002-2004), two (2) of our colleagues – Chairman of the NBA Onitsha branch and the wife – Barristers Barnabas and Amaka Igwe – were killed in September, 2002 and in just four (4) days after assuming office, the administration effectively mobilized lawyers and confronted the killers of the NBA Onitsha Branch Chairman and the wife. Without ambiguity in its statement, the Association sent out a stern warning of its resolve to protect the Nigerian lawyer, the rule of law and democracy.
(6) For the first time, the administration instituted NBA continuing Legal Education program with Prof. Ernest Ojukwu appointed to pilot same.
(7) The Section on Business Law (SBL) and Section on Legal Practice (SLP) were both creations of the administration with the approval of NEC. The administration then appointed the first Council Members for the two (2) sections – Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN as Chairman SLP and George Etomi Esq. as Chairman SBL.
(8) To ensure welfare of young lawyers in Nigeria, a minimum wage standard policy was set up by the administration.
(9) Also, a working insurance policy for the Nigerian lawyer was established by the administration. The Association was completely Responsible for payment of annual premium with no extra charge on lawyers in Nigeria.
I thought I had adequate knowledge of the Bar until I met with the Deacon himself. I had a long chat with him and all I can say in a nutshell is that DELE ADESINA, SAN is an encyclopedia of the Bar! (in the words of Femi Falana, SAN).
He is indeed a man of integrity armed with the requisite leadership qualities which the NBA desperately needs at the moment.
I’m not easily swayed but I admired his confidence and firm promises.
DELE ADESINA, SAN will protect you as a lawyer, the rule of law and democracy. He is a good listener and a gentleman.
Without and iota of doubt, DELE ADESINA, SAN has the capacity and exposure to create jobs for young lawyers in Nigeria.
Most definitely, if we are looking for the true definition of the word “reformer”, then we must look no further than the Deacon himself. The NBA once again needs the hands of a tested and trusted DASAN, who will reposition the Association for the benefit of lawyers and the good Nigerian people.
Gibson M. Elumelu Esq.
