Welcome Address By Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso, Esq., The President Of Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, On The Occasion Of The Endowment Launch Of The Association On Thursday 14th September, 2923 At The NBA House Auditorium, Abuja.
The Chairman of the occasion,
H.E the Governor of Abia State, Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives,
My Lords, Honourable Justices,
Our respected Father of the Day and Mother of the Day, Special Guests of Honour, Learned Senior Advocates, Members of the Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja EXCO, Invited Guests, Esteemed colleagues, aspiring legal minds, ladies and gentlemen,
It is with profound honor and privilege that i most humbly on behalf of the EXCO and the entire Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja family extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to this auspicious gathering of the Launch of our Endowment with the topic: “IGBA BOYI as a Panacea for Mentorship, Growth, and Development within the Legal Profession.” 
Though the legal profession was originally modeled to imbibe the practice of pupillage, the exponential growth in the number of fresh graduates emerging from the Nigerian Law School yearly has made it impracticable (albeit impossible) for existing law firms and forbears to absorb such young lawyers in their law firms for purposes of pupillage.
This lack of capacity and financial resources on the part of the few established law firms to absorb the huge population of young lawyers within the profession often lead to a misplacement of priority, lack of proper mentoring, guidance and missed opportunity on the part of such innocent young wigs who often time derail from the focal point of building a career path along their chosen noble profession to unintended strange disciplines and practices alien to the practice of law as foisted upon them by the accident and circumstances of lack of mentoring support and supervision.
It is in a bid to stem this tide of lack of mentoring opportunities, diligent training, provision of financial support and human capacity, that Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja has decided to tap into the time-honored rich cultural tapestry of of our heritage as Ndi Igbo by seeking to launch an ENDOWMENT that is aimed at introducing the practice of “IGBA BOYI” (Igbo Apprenticeship System) as a credible panacea for growth, mentorship and development of the younger members of the profession of Igbo Origin. 
Today, our Key-note speaker shall explore the unique potential of this system in the context of the legal profession, a field where mentorship and guidance are instrumental in shaping the future of jurisprudence.
The legal profession, with its rich history and complex intricacies, demands a deep commitment to learning, ethical practice, and continuous growth. It is a journey that often requires not only rigorous academic training but also the wisdom that comes from seasoned mentors and practitioners.
In adopting the Igba Boyi framework within Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, we recognize that mentorship is not just a passing of knowledge, but a sacred duty. It is a commitment to mold, nurture, and guide the next generation of legal minds of Igbo Extraction and set them on the path of Excellence and sustainable development.
This system shall provide a structured platform for aspiring lawyers to serve as apprentices under experienced legal practitioners, imbibing not only the legal doctrines but also the ethics, values, and nuances that define our profession. Through this system such young interns shall be assigned to these law firms over a set period of time ranging from 6 months to one year while being paid salaries from the proceeds of the ENDOWMENT subject to strict supervision and compliance with the eligibility conditions as shall be stipulated.
The benefits of this scheme are manifold: It ensures the preservation of legal traditions and our cultural heritage, fostering a strong sense of belonging and identity.
It also facilitates the acquisition of practical skills and courtroom experience, accelerating the growth and competence of such young law interns.
As we gather here today, let us reflect on the legacy of those who have mentored us, and let us commit to paying it forward by embracing the Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja Igba Boyi initiative as a powerful vehicle for mentorship, growth, and development within the legal profession. The Endowment has a projected take- off target of the sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) and i trust on your immense generosity and good will to realize and surpass this target.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, today, let us open our hearts and mind to the possibilities that this Endowment Launch presents and leave here with a renewed sense of purpose and pride in who we are and where we come from.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Chairman, our special guests, members of the EXCO, Reverred Justices, Learned members of Inner and Outer bar and the entire members of the Otu Okaiwu Abuja family for their tremendous support towards this project of nurturing the legal talent of tomorrow. May your sacrifices be a catalyst for positive change, innovation, and inclusivity within our noble profession.
Once again, I welcome you all to this epochal event and I look forward to the insightful discussions and the generous contributions that will follow.
Thank you.
Welcome!
©️Ejiofor Onwuaso, Esq.
President, Otu Okaiwu Abuja
14-9-2023
