_*THE TIGRESS OF THE TIGER BRANCH...*_
The year was 2012.
The occasion was the annual conference of the NBA.
The place was at Abuja.
EVERY, and I mean EVERY lawyer complained that the Joseph Daudu SAN led NBA had increased conference fees and prevented lawyers from attending the AGM in clear breach of the provisions of NBA constitution.
NBA branches nationwide condemned it.
Lawyers grumbled.
The NBA ExCo were bent on enforcing their breach of the NBA constitution.
NBA Ikeja, led by Monday Ubani resolved to disobey the illegal impositions by the NBA.
The branch delegates arrived the International Conference Centre, Abuja where the August event took place and resolved not to be intimidated by the national leadership of the Bar.
We carried placards.
We sang _aluta_ songs but the NBA leadership would not bulge.
President Goodluck Jonathan addressed lawyers. Meanwhile, NBA Ikeja members were outside. We carried placards and protested the unjust exclusion. Thereafter Jonathan declared the conference open and left.
Immediately the President left, one lady displayed an extraordinary act of uncommon courage.
She blocked the entrance gate of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, by standing right in front of the gate with her arm entwined around the lock area.
Her action made it impossible for anyone to enter or exit from the conference venue.
Her action attracted the support of lawyers who had come from across the country.
People wondered who she was and where she came from.
_*Surprisingly, she was pregnant at the time but that didn't deter her from standing up to protest and defend the rights of ALL Nigerian lawyers who assembled at Abuja.*_
After the conference, she was honoured for her extraordinary courage by NBA Ikeja for being a worthy and super courageous "Tiger".
No lady in the branch had displayed such boldness before or after then.
_*HER NAME IS CHINENYE UDEH.*_
Chinenye became a beacon of hope for all the lawyers who, up to that point, had nearly been cowed and thoroughly intimidated by the high handedness of the NBA leadership.
Chinenye brought back a ray of hope.
Chinenye became a symbol of resistance against administrative impunity.
Chinenye is proof that no one can intimate ALL lawyers and get away with it.
Following Chinenye's display of _tigritude,_ the AGM roundly condemned attitude of the National ExCo and guess what?
_*The result of her action*_ was that the gates of the International Conference Centre were thrown open to all lawyers who had paid their BPF for 2012.
What a feat by Chinenye!
This is the trait that most people in the branch remember Chinenye for.
Chinenye symbolises _*HOPE*._
Chinenye is _*EMPATHIC.*_ She didn't stand up for herself alone at Ahuja but for all lawyers.
What more should one say but to note that before and after that incident, Chinenye has remained a recurring decimal in service to the branch.
For this, I will support Chinenye Udeh for the post of Vice Chairman of NBA, Ikeja and urge all noble bar men and women of the Tiger Branch to support her aspirations.
She is a worthy Tiger, _(nay Tigress)!_
Thank you and may God bless us all.
_*...Chux Okonkwo Esq.*_
As we embark once again on the historic, biannual exercise of our right to elect a brand-new Executive for the tiger branch,
I, Chinenye Udeh (Mrs), with every sense of duty offer myself for election into the office of Vice Chairman of our branch.
My decision to run for office, came after a deep introspection, soul searching and an extensive consultation with my family, Senior Colleagues, my mentors in law practice, junior colleagues and friends whose friendship and support made the decision less difficult.
As stated by one of Nigeria's bestselling authors Olumide Emmanuel in his pathway to wealth series,
"There is so many potentials locked up in man, it sometimes requires a nudge, a push, a shove and a lending hand to manifest"
That I am in this race today is testament to the quantum of friendly nudging, pushing, shoving and lending hands that I received from you, my supporters and friends. I do not take these for granted.
My commitment is to do better in the office of the Vice Chairman than I have ever done serving our branch.
I have remained a consummate bar person from my year of call to date.
I have since 2004 served our branch in different capacities which includes but are not limited to:
1) Serving as a member of the Conference Planning Committee for the years 2009, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2020,2021,2023 and 2024.
2) Serving as a member of the Law week Committee in 2020.
3) Serving as a member of the Constitution Review Committee in 2023.
4) Serving as member Human Rights Committee for 2018-2020,2020-2022, 2022-2024.
5) Serving as member Caretaker Committee 2020 and in several other capacities.
I value your support, as always and for the good of our dear branch,
VOTE CHINENYE UDEH MRS AS VICE CHAIRMAN OF NBA IKEJA BRANCH
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