The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has shed light on the inclusion of Nigerian singer, Portable, in the lineup for their 2023 Annual General Conference (AGC).
This decision to feature Portable at the NBA Annual General Conference, which took place on Thursday, raised eyebrows and criticism from some lawyers and the public, who believed that the singer's presence tarnished the association's reputation and diminished its dignity.
In an interview with Punch Newspaper on Friday, September 1, 2023, Akorede Lawal, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, clarified that Portable's participation was linked to the partnership between billionaire entrepreneur Obi Cubana and the event as its headline sponsor.
Lawal further explained that the Cubana Group brought Portable because he was one of their brand ambassadors for Odogwu bitters.
According to Lawal, the headline sponsor was responsible for inviting a guest artist to perform at the "Unbarred concert," a tradition that typically involves lawyers of all ranks to conclude the conference.
"We did not expend any funds to secure Portable’s performance for the concert," Lawal emphasized. "The NBA’s Annual General Conference is the largest congregation of legal professionals worldwide, and consequently, we engage with sponsors to financially support all facets of our events."
Lawal also addressed reports suggesting that lawyers staged a walkout during Portable’s performance at the event. He revealed that the initial plan was for the concert to be held at the Friendship Centre. However, there was a last-minute change in venue to the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja.
Explaining the venue shift, Lawal said: "The Friendship Centre traditionally serves as a hub where lawyers gather for relaxation, networking, and various social activities. Originally, the concert was scheduled to occur there. However, we later advised the legal professionals to relocate to the 'Unbarred concert' at the Velodrome, aiming to avoid simultaneous events at the Friendship Centre, which had already been set up to promote various brands."