Before any organization or association is founded there is a
vision. One or more people with a shared vision, purpose, direction
and goals come together to form an association.
The next stage is to write down the vision and the mission of
the association then set down what the objects are.
We all know what the requirements are to register an association
so let us look at the objects of our association called the
NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION.
WHAT NBA IS ABOUT
OBJECTS OF THE NBA AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE UNIFORM BYLAWS
:
(1) “`THE MAINTENANCE OF THE HONOUR AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE
BAR AND THE JUDICIARY AND THE DEFENCE OF THE BAR IN ITS RELATIONS
WITH THE JUDICIARY, THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE PARTICULARLY
IN THE STATE WHERE THE BRANCH IS SITUATE;
(2) THE MAINTENANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE HIGHEST STANDARDS
OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, CONDUCT, ETIQUETTE AND DISCIPLINE;
(3) THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF
ACCESS TO THE COURTS AND OF THE REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL BEFORE
COURTS AND TRIBUNALS;
(4) THE PROMOTION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF RULE OF LAW, RESPECT
FOR, AND ENFORCEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL LIBERTIES;
(5) THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, ITS
PROCEDURES AND ARRANGEMENT OF COURT BUSINESS;
(6) THE PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF LEGAL EDUCATION,
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, JURISPRUDENCE AND LAW
REPORTING;
(7) THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE
OF A SYSTEM OF PROMPT AND EFFICIENT LEGAL ADVICE AND AID FOR THOSE
PERSONS IN NEED THEREOF BUT WHO ARE UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE
SAME;
(8) THE PROMOTION AND SUPPORT OF LAW REFORM;
(9) THE PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE OF NEWLY QUALIFIED,
INCAPACITATED AND AGED MEMBERS OF THE BRANCH;
(10) THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF SOCIAL INTERACTION AND MUTUAL HELP
AMONG MEMBERS OF THE BRANCH;
(11) THE PROMOTION OF COOPERATION AND INTERACTION BETWEEN
THE BRANCH AND LAWYERS OF OTHER BRANCHES AND SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS
WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA;
(12) THE INSTITUTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A WELFARE SCHEME FOR
THE BENEFIT OF MEMBERS;
(13) THE INSTITUTION AND PROMOTION OF PROGRAMMES FOR THE
RECOGNITION OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE BRANCH BY ITS
MEMBERS;
(14) THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY AND ASSETS AND ENGAGEMENT
IN ACTIVITIES CALCULATED TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL, FINANCIAL AND
SOCIAL WELLBEING OF THE BRANCH;
(15) TO DO ALL SUCH OTHER THINGS AS ARE INCIDENTAL OR
CONDUCIVE TO ACHIEVEMENT OF ANY OF THE OBJECTS.
I am sure we can see now why we have failed as an association.
When people loose sight of why they are gathered they loose faith,
they have no purpose or vision hence the association will be driven
by the personal goals and ambitions of its leaders.
To restore NBA we must go back to our core objectives. We must
read them, assimilate them, operate them and teach them to others
who aspire to join and those who are already in the
association.
There is no other way to restore NBA to its position of glory
than to stay the course of its objectives and goals.
Every branch should have the objectives read at every meeting at
the beginning so that discussions can be informed and concise.
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