CACOBAG CONGRATULATES MRS. OYINKANSOLA BADEJO-OKUSANYA, SAN ON EMERGENCE AS SECOND FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION

The COALITION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND BAD GOVERNANCE – CACOBAG heartily congratulates Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on her emergence as the second female President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

This milestone is historic and purposeful. CACOBAG proudly states that we believed in this possibility and were part of the campaign to have women lead the NBA, and indeed, women to lead Nigeria. We have absolute trust in the capacity of women to lead, to build institutions, and to deliver genuine, pro-people reforms.

We acknowledge and honour Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, SAN, as the first female President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence builds on that foundation.

While a few may attempt to compete with unscrupulous and corrupt men in the business of looting, the majority of Nigerian women remain mothers, builders of homes, and builders of nations. That is the tradition Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, now embodies.

CACOBAG also congratulates the outgoing NBA President for the success of his tenure and for organizing a transparent election which the Government of Nigeria must emulate in 2027.

Across the world, women have led nations with courage and vision. Examples include Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, Indira Gandhi of India, Margaret Thatcher of the UK, Angela Merkel of Germany, and currently Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.

In Nigeria, women have led and are still leading key national and international institutions with excellence. We honour the memory of those who have passed on but served meritoriously, including the late Prof. Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC. We also celebrate those serving today such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the WTO, Amina Mohammed at the United Nations, Arunma Oteh, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and many others.

We salute women in civil society who continue to stand with the people in the struggle for justice and accountability. These include MMA Odi, Aisha Yesufu, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Titi Akosa, Dr Joe Odumakin, Yemisi.Ransome Kuti , Ene Obi, Bukky Shonibare, and other women CSO leaders in Nigeria and across Africa.

We also commend women in uniform who serve with integrity and distinction to affirm many women can perform better than men.
In the Nigeria Police Force: ACP Shola Oladele, Area Commander, Ota Area Command; DCP Aisha Abubakar, Force Public Relations Officer; and CSP Mariam Shonubi rtd, Divisional Police Officer, Ejigbo Division.
In the Armed Forces: Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, and Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu, first female Admiral in the Nigerian Navy.

CACOBAG places our full trust in the new NBA President to drive genuine reforms that place the people at the centre. The Bar must return to the people. We call for the revival of the radical and public-interest spirit of the NBA under the late Alao Aka-Bashorun — an NBA that identified with the masses, initiated massive Public Interest Litigation, and ensured that NBA National and Branch Human Rights Committees actively take up pro-bono matters for ordinary Nigerians.

To achieve this mandate, we urge the new NBA President to collaborate with all genuine and major pro-people organizations in the struggle to make Nigeria better. These include: Human and Environmental Development Agenda – HEDA, Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance – CACOBAG, Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights – CCHR, Democratic Socialist Movement – DSM, Tenant Rights Project – TRP, United Action for Democracy – UAD, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre – WARDC, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights – CDHR, United Action for Change – UAC, People’s Action Against Corruption and Injustice – PACI, Centre for People’s Defence – CPD, Public Interest Coalition – PIC, Gani Fawehinmi Movement for a New Nigeria, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre – RULAAC, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education – CHRICED, Movement for Improved Welfare for Nigeria Police Force, and more, as well as the Nigeria Labour Congress – NLC and Trade Union Congress – TUC.

CACOBAG also commends the Nigerian Bar Association and sincerely thanks all delegates who voted to make history by electing the second female President of the NBA in Nigeria.

The Coalition pledges its solidarity and full support to the brand new NBA President.

To the new President, and to all women in Nigeria and across Africa: the future is female, and the future is now.

Congratulations once again, Our brand new president, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya SAN.

Signed:
Pastor Tola Folorunsho
Public Relations Officer, CACOBAG
08113444958

Prince Toyin Raheem GDM
Chairman, CACOBAG
08023407814