African Bar Confab Opens In PH,Today …Wike Urges Lawyers To Forge Alliance

Former President of Tanzania, Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, was among members of the African Bar Association (AFBA), who arrived at the weekend, to attend this year’s conference, which kicks off in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, today.
Kikkwete, who was received by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Engr Emeka Woke, on behalf of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, was driven straight from the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, to Government House, last Saturday.
The Tide learnt that no fewer than 2,000 lawyers across Africa are expected in Port Harcourt as the 2017 African Bar Conference runs through August 10, 2017, in the state.
Also expected to grace the opening ceremony and participate in the conference are Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The Chairman, Publicity Sub-Committee of the 2017 African Bar Conference, Mr. Emmanuel Mark, told The Tide in an exclusive interview that while Osinbajo will be special guest of honour, Kikwete will deliver a keynote address on, “Dissecting the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Doing Business in Africa”.
Mark noted that Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, would be the chief host, explaining that the state will reap huge benefits from the four-day event.
“People all over Africa are coming, and they will take the news home that Port Harcourt and Rivers State is safe,” Mark said.
Mark, who doubles as deputy director for Information and Protocol for the association said, “We are expecting over 1,500 lawyers from 17 countries, including other people that will join them at the event.”
He stated that “Rivers State got the hosting right through voting and executive council approval. So, it’s was not a lobby because our next conference is billed for Kenya in 2018″.
According to him, the objective of the association is to promote legal practice, promote good governance and human rights amongst African countries and lawyers.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has welcomed lawyers from all the African continent to the African Bar Association (AFBA) conference holding in Port Harcourt from 6th August to 10th August, 2017.
In a statement signed by Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor wished all the delegates to the conference a happy time in Port Harcourt.
He assured them that every arrangement has been put in place to ensure the international conference holds successfully.
The governor urged the visiting African lawyers to use the opportunity presented by the conference to build alliances that will enhance the growth of the continent.
Wike noted that the state was hosting several national and international events as a demonstration of the fact that Rivers State was an investors’ destination, stressing that the state was peaceful and the people hospitable.
“Hosting this year’s conference will also make the African lawyers witness first-hand the development projects and programmes of my administration, which has improved the living standard of the people”, the governor added.