NBA to introduce Igbo apprenticeship system in legal reform | The Guardian Nigeria News

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) supports the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS), also known as ‘Igbaboi’, as part of efforts to develop and reform the legal profession in the country.

Speaking at the launch of the fund for the ‘Igbaboi’ by Igbo lawyers under the banner of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja last weekend, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau commended the lawyers for the initiative, describing the programme as the best way to impart skills, character and knowledge.
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The fund is a legacy project that aims to replicate Ndigbo success in the corporate world within the legal profession by institutionalizing mentorship and career development for young lawyers.

Present at the meeting were former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, Senator for Anambra Central, Ben Obi, prominent lawyers of Igbo origin and others.

While expressing the NBA’s support for the initiative, Maikyau assured that the programme would be expanded into a national mentorship policy of the federal government.

However, he advocated that the model should not be limited to lawyers of Igbo background.

He said: “If you are the best lawyer without character, there is no way that intellect can be transferred or translated into value. So, this is a mentorship model. Like I said, it is welcome in our ranks as lawyers; but please let us not limit it to the Igbo. We must extend it to others. We must take it to the North and the West because this is something that will benefit every one of us.

“So, while I congratulate you for coming up with this idea, this is something that has actually distinguished the Igbo nation all over the world, and you can see how effective it has been in transforming the Igbo nation into an entrepreneurial nation. And that is something you cannot take away from the Igbo.”

Maikyau stressed that the NBA supports the initiative and that they will make a recommendation so that this becomes a national mentorship policy of the federal government.
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