I have carefully chosen these three items from Habeeb Lawal’s manifesto, for us to look at and ask; have they been met? Can they be met before curtain falls on this administration?
On item VI below; hmmm!!!
The bloggers publicizing NBA activities are not coordinated from the office of the Publicity Secretary. They are falling over themselves to be attract traffic and earn through Google advert plug in.
The office of the Publicity Secretary, has not being engaging with lawyers, to explain the policy or statements of this Administration.
During the backlash from lawyers, over the comment made by the NBA President in the heat of the just concluded General Election, the Office of the Publicity Secretary did not do tour of blogs or media houses to clarify the statement of the NBA President.
NBA activities, particularly local branch’s, are not reported by the Office of the Publicity Secretary, an indication that there is no synergy between the National and Branch Publicity Secretaries.
VII. NBA CAR STICKERS WITH LAWYERS SUPREME COURT NUMBERS TO BE ISSUED ALONGSIDE THE NBA STAMP.
This administration has issued its first Stamp amidst glitches and hiccups but the inability to deliver this item; car stickers, leaves sour taste.
Excerpts From Habeeb Manifesto
VI. ENGAGEMENT OF THE MEDIA (PARTICULARY BLOGGERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA)
I am coming forth to run the social media platforms of the Bar. As the social media handler of the NBA, I will ensure that the NBA commands a great social media presence, visibility and followership, by selectively courting influencers to our advantage.
I will introduce a robust news tracking system that will highlight false and negative news on the judiciary and the legal profession, then appropriately respond to them through rebuttals and proactively defuse such false stories. I will also ensure that the Bar’s perspective is unequivocal on trending national, judicial and legal issues. This way, we can steadily change some of the wrong perceptions the public has of lawyers.
VII. NBA CAR STICKERS WITH LAWYERS SUPREME COURT NUMBERS TO BE ISSUED ALONGSIDE THE NBA STAMP
It goes without saying that there is an embarrassing and indiscriminate use of the NBA car stickers by non-lawyers. This has actually taken away some of the respect that would ordinarily be accorded a lawyer behind the wheel.
If elected, I would propose in the event, that the stamp policy continues in its present form, that a couple of NBA car stickers be added to every stamp package at no or minimal cost. This sticker would include the lawyer’s name and Supreme Court numbers. The branches would consequently be encouraged to set up taskforce to push out the old realm.
VIII. ENGAGEMENT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY ON THE PORTRAYAL OF LAWYERS IN THEIR WORKS
We have to insist that if practitioners in the entertainment industry must portray lawyers in their work, they must do same properly.
In this regard, I would push for an engagement with the Actors Guild of Nigeria and ensure that our profession, particularly the way we dress is properly represented.
