The Chair of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Uju Agomoh, has expressed profound appreciation to delegates, speakers, partners and organisers whose contributions made the 2026 Annual Conference in Umuahia, Abia State, a success. In her appreciation message, Agomoh particularly commended Governor Alex Otti, the Abia State Government and the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association for their support and hospitality, while urging participants to translate the resolutions contained in the Umuahia Declaration into sustained action towards strengthening justice, democratic governance, institutional accountability and national development.
A MESSAGE OF APPRECIATION TO CONFEREES AT THE 2026 NBA-SPIDEL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Distinguished Conferees,
As we draw the curtains on the 2026 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), I wish to convey my profound appreciation to every conferee whose presence, intellectual engagement and contributions enriched our gathering in Umuahia, Abia State.
Over the course of the conference, we interrogated important questions at the intersection of justice, democratic governance, human rights and national development. The quality of the conversations, the depth of the interventions and the diversity of perspectives brought to the table have reinforced the importance of a Bar that recognises its responsibility not only to the courts and its clients, but also to society.
I particularly appreciate our distinguished keynote speaker, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, our eminent keynote responders – Prof Pat Utomi, Lisa Henry, and Dr Sam Amadi as well as all our speakers, session chairs, discussants, panellists, judicial officers, policymakers, academics, development partners and civil society representatives for lending their knowledge, experience and institutional perspectives to the conversations.
Our profound gratitude goes to the Government and people of Abia State, particularly His Excellency, the Governor of Abia State, and the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, for the exceptional hospitality and support extended to SPIDEL and its delegates. We are especially appreciative of their personal courtesies in hosting different groups of conference participants and creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome throughout our stay. These gestures of generosity, alongside the institutional support provided by the State Government, contributed significantly to the success of the conference. Umuahia will remain memorable not only for the quality of its deliberations but also for the hospitality with which Abia State received us.
Our Special Thanks goes to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb for her great guidance and support. Her presence at the SPIDEL and that of other NBA National Officers is very much appreciated.
To all our other partners and supporters (UNICEF, International IDEA, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, Independent Medico-Legal Unit, University of Lagos, WARDC, SPIDEL – CSOs Forum members, and SPIDEL Media Network members), the Conference Planning Committee, the Local Organising Committee and everyone whose contribution, visible or otherwise, helped bring this conference to fruition, I extend the Section’s sincere gratitude.
The Umuahia Declaration on Public Interest, Justice, Democracy and Development must represent more than the conclusion of our deliberations. It should serve as an expression of our individual commitment and guide for sustained engagement, institutional accountability and practical interventions towards a better society.
Thank you for making your time, expertise and presence count. Your participation has strengthened the collective voice of NBA-SPIDEL and enriched the continuing discourse on the place of the legal profession in advancing justice, democracy and development.
Umuahia has been our meeting point; the public interest remains our common mandate.
With profound appreciation,
Uju Agomoh
Chair, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL)
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