The Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum Rivers State Chapter welcomed 66 New Wigs/female youth corps members in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on the 19th of May, 2023. The ceremony, which was a hybrid event attended by well over a hundred participants, part of whom were 66 female New Wigs and serving corps members in the State, was hosted by the Rivers State Lead, Dr. Glory Ozuru and chaired by Dr. Mrs. Mercy Oke-Chinda.
The Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, who joined the event virtually, gave a though-provoking keynote speech. In her speech, she welcomed the New Wigs and encouraged them to work hard as there was no short cut to success in any profession, particularly, the legal profession.
The event which had the theme: “Legal Career in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges for the New Wig”, featured eminent speakers drawn from the lower Bench and the Bar including His Worship Dr. Rita Oguguo who was the keynote speaker. Other speakers at the event include: His Worship Victor E. Nweke (Director, Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse); His Worship Lenu Apapah (Chief Magistrate, Rumuji Magistrates Court); and Mrs. Irene Pepple (General Secretary, NBA Women Forum).
Highlights of the occassion were the officially welcoming of the new wigs as well as the award of plaques to Speakers by the Chairperson, Event Planning Committee Dr. Mercy Oke-Chinda.
The event was designed to create awareness about the NBA Women Forum among the New Wigs with a view to integrating those of them resident in Rivers into the Rivers State branch of the NBA Women Forum as well as connect those of them outside the state to their respective Forum State leads for proper integration into the state chapters.
Participants at the event were also encouraged by the Director, Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse, His Worship Victor E. Nweke, to show interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution.