Who am I ?
Ferdinand Afam Naza, MCArb.
Ebonyi State University – LL.B with Honours, 2009.
Nigerian Law School – BL, 2010.
European Business University, Luxembourg, Certificate of Business Management, 2022.
Union of European Football Association (UEFA) ACADEMY – Certificate in Football Management (CFM), 2023.
University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland – Certificate of Higher Education: Football management, 2023.
Membership of Association/Bodies:
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
International Bar Association (IBA)
Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA)
Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICARB).
UEFA Academy Alumni Association (UAAA)
NBA Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP)
NBA Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).
NBA Section On Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL).
I have served the Bar in various capacities, to wit:
v Naonal Assistant Publicity Secretary, NBA 2020 –2022.
v Assistant Publicity Secretary, Onitsha Branch 2014 –2016.
v Chairman, NBA Onitsha Branch Conference Planning Committee 2021.
v Chairman, NBA Onitsha Branch, Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) 2017 –2018.
v Secretary, NBA Onitsha Branch, Committee on Continuing Legal Education 2018 –2020 v Secretary, NBA Onitsha Branch, Land Committee 2016 –2018.
v Secretary, NBA Onitsha Branch Conference Planning Committee 2019.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch Conference Planning Committee 2014 –2018, 2022-2023.
v Member, Law week Planning Committee–2013 –date.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch ICT Committee–2014 –2020.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch Sports Committee 2014 –2020.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch Car Sticker Abuse Committee 2016 –2020.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch Welfare Committee 2018 –2020.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch Committee on Innovation 2018 –2020.
v Member, NBA Onitsha Branch Bar Journal Committee.
v Member, Central Summit Planning Committee, NBA YLF Summit 2018.
v Ad-hoc member, Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) Sports Committee 2016 –2018.
What I want to Achieve:
The National Publicity Secretary of the NBA is essentially an ‘Enabler’ of the work program of the elected President, with respect to maintaining the vibrancy of the NBA Brand. Section 9(5) (i) of the 2015 NBA Constitution (As Amended in 2021) reserves the following dues for the National Publicity Secretary to wit:
He/She shall ensure adequate and prompt publicity of the activities of the Association;
He/She shall present a good and progressive image of the Association to the public;
He/She shall issue releases and statements on matters of general interest to the Association and the public in consultation with the President or the National Executive Council or the National Executive Committee;
He/She shall perform all other dues as may be assigned to him/her by the President or the National Executive Council or the National Executive Committee or the Annual General Meeting.
The position of the Publicity Secretary, under the above provisions of the constitution is charged with ensuring adequate and prompt publicity of the Association, presenting a good/progressive image of the Association to the public; issuing releases and statements to the public on matters of general interest to the Association , in consultation with the President of the Association or NEC; and other dues that may be assigned by the President of NEC.
The Strategic Reform Object of my candidacy therefore is subsumed in two levels of engagement, to wit;
REBRANDING and COMMUNICATION REBRANDING:
The rebranding strategies shall focus on retooling the brand persona of the NBA, across her online presence, marketing and membership (customer) services.
Working closely with the Publicity team, Secretariat, Publicity Secretaries of various Branches and other stakeholders, to implement the following actions;
§ Continuing the user experience reforms now being implemented across all online channels of the Association; viz.:-
§ Improving member engagements in the NBA website, ensuring ease of access to information and feedback for members.
§ Expanding the use of the Lawyers Portal under the NBA website. Deploy lawyers feedback chatbox feature under the Portal.
§ Improve engagements of the Association with the public, on alternave Social Media Channels; X (formerly, Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
§ Maintaining existing direct engagement platforms of the NBA Publicity Team. E.g. The Bar Center Social Media Groups.
§ Periodic Media Engagement Events with the Press. Deploy virtual conferencing tools with members.
COMMUNICATION.
Information is one of the most valuable commodities in today’s digital age.
The ability to access, analyse, and utilise information effectively can provide a significant comparative advantage in various sectors, driving innovation, decision-making, and economic growth.
As a publicity secretary, providing valuable information to the public can enhance engagement with members of the legal profession. This can include legal insights, updates on relevant laws and regulations, and educational resources to empower individuals and Groups.
The bedrock of the role of the publicity secretariat, is keeping members informed of the activities and events of the Association.
This will keep the Association more in touch with the members. The association can do better with effective communication that are responsive and helpful.
Working closely with the Publicity team, Secretariat, Publicity Secretaries of various Branches and other stakeholders, to implement the following actions;
Internal Communication.
· Coordination and Collaboration:
Facilitate communication and collaboration among branch publicity secretaries to share ideas, coordinate campaigns, and leverage each other’s strengths and resources.
· Centralised Support: Offer centralised support and assistance to branch publicity secretaries in implementing national campaigns.
By providing support, resources, and guidance, the National Publicity Secretary can empower branch publicity secretaries to effectively promote the objectives and policies of the Nigerian Bar Association at the local level.
· Feedback and Evaluation: Solicit feedback from branch publicity secretaries on their needs, challenges, and successes, and provide support and guidance based on their feedback.
Additionally, establish mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness of publicity efforts at the branch level and identifying areas for improvement.
· Recognition and Appreciation:
Recognise and appreciate the contributions of branch publicity secretaries through awards, acknowledgments, and opportunities for professional development and growth within the Association.
· Use various communication channels to raise awareness among member about issues of concern and the Association’s role as a watchdog in the society.
· Creation of National Monthly Publicity campaigns for the Association which can feature targeted campaigns, educational materials, public forums, and jingles to engage the public, simulate conversation, and raise awareness about pressing societal issues such as, Legal Literacy Month, Human Rights Awareness Month, Justice Reform Month, Anti-Corruption Month, Women & Children Month, Access to Legal Aid Month, Environmental Justice Month, e.t.c. 
· Build, maintain and continue, new and existing e-mail lists for instant delivery of information for the benefit of the members of the association.
· Deploy new and existing help lines for direct communication with secretariat staff. Procure a Dedicated Toll Free Helpline for the use of the members through the year (Not just during election and conference periods.
· Keep members informed of all the opportunities available to them, from professional capacity development workshops, to necessary administrative support channels.
· Maintain prompt and effective communication with members about activities of the Association, her sections and fora.
· Maintain prompt and effective communication with members about activities of the Branches of the Association.
External Communication.
The Association can act as a watchdog in society and the role of the publicity secretary in this context is to:
· Liaise and increase relation with other professional associations for the sake of improving relationships.
· Communicating the Association’s mission, values, and objectives clearly and consistently to members and the public. This includes articulating the association’s commitment to serving the society and promoting justice.
· Use communication channels to raise awareness among members and the public about issues of concern and the bar’s role as a watchdog in society.
· Amplify the voices of marginalised communities, victims of injustice, and human rights defenders through media outreach, press releases, and public statements.
· Build alliances and partnerships with civil society organizaons, human rights groups, and other stakeholders to strengthen the Association’s advocacy efforts and maximise impact in the society.
· In consultation with the office of the President of the NBA and Secretariat, issue press releases on topics of general interest to the NBA.
Increase Internal of Communication within NBA.
NBA today has evolved to the leading professional association in Nigeria. With many sections, fora, and specialised practice groups, her potentials as an influencer are limitless.
These different groups within NBA present at different mes, events that maintain the potential to be great successes if given more support. Increasing communication and support between different groups will ensure greater participation and ultimately benefit members of the Association.
Overall, the publicity team plays a crucial role in leveraging communication and advocacy strategies to enhance the bar’s watchdog function and promote accountability, justice, and the rule of law in society.
Why Vote for Me?
My aspiration for office is propelled by a firm conviction that we all bear the responsibility of building the NBA into an enviable Association. Standing on the shoulders of elders and foundations laid by past administrations, it is my intention that after service in office, the NBA would have become better by her processes of internal and external communication, and standards of public perception.
We will do this by consistently demonstrate professionalism, speed and courtesy in the discharge of the dues of my office.
We will remain sensitive and alert to diverse national issues on which the society expects lawyers to lead the charge in addressing.
In the past ten years, I have aggregated experience in both law practice and relationship with lawyers across the country.
Haven served at different levels and in different roles overtime,
I come fully equipped with excellent personal organisational experience, exposure to operate within the NBA, and an understanding of public relations in a professional context.
I have led teams and have as well served with effective team players, and have as well accomplished innovative milestones and assignments.
Ferdinand Afam Naza.
