In fact, I was shocked and thrilled at the same time when she jovially mentioned to me after the last Nigerian Bar Association National Executive Council (NBA NEC) meeting in March 2020, that if it required her kneeling down to plead with the President and National Executive members in matters that touch on women and young lawyers’ welfare, she would gladly do so! This is to show the extent of her passion and genuine concern for amongst others, young lawyers and women lawyers.
Right from her nascent upbringing, her service year in the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), down to serving at her local NBA branch, the national level, and at various committees to mention but a few, all speak volume of her past track record of passion for service. She has been consistent in leaving indelible imprints in the annals of organisations she serves.
Her legacies are primus inter pares. She has an unblemished antecedents of being first in many ways, a track record of pioneering innovative solutions. Little wonder she was the first to foresee the urgent need to increase the paltry internally generated revenue of local branches of the NBA and then went on to pioneer the ingenious system of using branch code in payment of the Bar Practicing Fee, thus creating a tremendous boost in the revenue generation of the local branches. This she engineered when she served as the National Treasurer of the NBA, 2012-2014 in the Okey Wali SAN led NBA Administration.
She is also reputed to have been the first to begin the monthly short message service (SMS) notification of meetings, and cutting of cake for birthday celebrants of the Lagos Bar Branch when she served as the Lagos Bar Branch Publicity Secretary, 2007 – 2009. This gave a sense of belonging and created an atmosphere of love in the Branch. This is a legacy other branches have adopted over time.
Mrs Joyce Oduah FICMC, Notary Public, is greatly endeared to all and sundry including FIDA where she has over time devoted considerable amount of her time to serve.
She is a consummate mother and Barman. She radiates an aura of competence, resilient hardwork, accountability, service and motherly love. Her amiable personality wins her friends and goodwill everywhere , from old and young lawyers alike.
Her legal career of close to three decades is impressive. She has garnered requisite leadership and people skills, intricate nuances and cognate experience (from service experience within and outside the legal profession) About her aspiration to serve as the General Secretary of NBA, 2020. I have no iota of doubt that Mrs Joyce Oduah, the Amazon, is eminently qualified.She will achieve amongst others, a truly digitised NBA Secretariat.
For these and more, I endorse Mrs Joyce Oduah FICMC and throw my weight behind her aspiration. I urge all well meaning Learned Silks, seniors and fellow colleagues to do same by voting her in the forthcoming NBA July 2020 election. I am optimistic she would surpass expectations. Mrs Joyce Oduah FICMC, Notary Public, alone has the most suitable skill set and tools to deliver in the Office of the General Secretary of Nigerian Bar Association, 2020.
UZOMA, Felix Izuma Esq.
Former Chairman, Students’ Representative Council,
Nigerian Law School, Enugu.
Member of the NBA, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar).
