Chairman of Akure Branch of Nigerian Bar Association, Ola Dan
Olawale has reacted to the statement by the National Publicity
Secretary, Kunle Edun barring members of the legal community from
using NBA Logo and names on their private social media handles.
Ola Dan Olawale in his statement noted that the decision of the
National Publicity Secretary, Edun will yield no fruit as the
President of the Association, Paul Usoro, SAN, cannot support such
decision.
According to him “Our attention has just been drawn to a post
being circulated by NBA National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kunle
Edun.
“I must be quick to point out that the suggestion that NBA logo
is for the exclusive use of the President is fallacious, childish,
without basis, both in law and practice. Mr. Edun’s invitation,
which I strongly believe lacks the backing of Mr. Paul Usoro SAN,
the learned President of NBA is dead on arrival.
“It beats one’s imagination why Mr. Edun has failed, refused and
or neglected to site laws on which his assertions rest. But for the
records, it is submitted that NBA logo, just like the national flag
or coat of arms, can be used by both the national and branches of
the NBA.
“Just as every state governor is entitled to use the coat of
arms and the national flag, every branch chairman of the NBA can
also make use of the NBA logo.
“Indeed, just as every Ministry, department, agency, organ,
parastatal, commission, etc of government has lawful right to use
the national flag/coat of arms, so also is every branch, officials,
sections, committees, nay members, of the NBA entitled to use the
logo of the association they rightly belong.
“For crying out loud, I have and use the national flag in my law
office!
Let it be known, as it is the common and lawful practice that
branch and committee letterhead, Bar Center, complimentary cards,
NBA cars, even shirts and souvenirs can carry NBA logo.
“The logo is our Commonwealth. It is for my use, your use and
our collective use.
“However, where NBA logo is used for any unlawful purpose, such
could be rightly queried.
“Mr. Kunle Edun is therefore enjoined to face the tasks for
which he was elected. He is advised not to lay unfounded precedent
which lacks foundation and whose acceptability would affect even
generations of lawyers yet unborn.
“A word is enough for the wise.”
Recall that the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar
Association, Kune Edun on Sunday issued a statement directing
lawyers to desist from Using NBA Logos for the private Use.
He pointed out that the use of the Logo is for the Exclusive use
of the President of the Association or any other person authorized
by the President.