Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) has commenced its 15th Annual General Conference (AGC) tagged ‘Ibadan 2024’ with the theme ‘National Development: The New Dynamics and Nuances’, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the National President, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, Dr Kazeem Olaniyan, listed events outlined for the conference.
The 3-day event which begins on Friday, May 3rd is to be declared opened by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Olaniyan said the theme naturally flows from the resolve of last year’s AGC which focused on how politicians used religion to divide and deceive the people.
His words: “A careful selection of a team of experts have been assembled to do justice to this year’s theme through their various presentation. Thirteen erudite speakers drawn from all the six geo-political zones of the country will speak at the conference. These eminent gentlemen and lady presenters comprising six professors, three senior advocates, two consultants/physicians, three educationists and a banker will discuss the theme and sub-themes in nine sessions and the grand Dinner.
“While the conference will be declared opened by the Attorney General of the Federation; Prince Lateef Fagbemi on Friday 3rd of May 2024, the first plenary session commences soon after the opening. The first session is a technical session where the Immediate Past President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) Nigerian branch: Mr Olatunde Busari would mount the rostrum as the first Speaker. The second session will feature Hajia Maryam Lemu who will discuss marriage and family issues. The third erudite Speaker would be our iconic Prof Yusuf Olaolu Ali who will handle mentorship in a no bar session where delegates would learn from the distinguished member of the bar. The annual general meeting of the association will round up the day’s activities.
“The second day will begin with the session titled ‘Relevance of faith-based financial services to national development’ to be jointly discussed by Dr Dawood Amoo Alaga and Alhaji Taofeeq Mustapha; the Divisional Head, southwest of Jaiz Bank. This will be followed by the main session where the conference theme will be discussed by distinguished Prof. Siyan Oyeweso. The main event is also expected to be witnessed by their excellencies; the executive governors of Oyo, Osun and Niger States. The main event will be under the chairmanship of His Excellency; the executive Governor of Niger State; H.E Umar Bago.
“The sixth session will feature a scholar from the southeast geopolitical zone; Malam Friday Isa Okonkwo who will discuss ‘Extremism in Nigeria and its effects on national development.” The seventh session has its Speaker in the person of Alhaji Nurein Zakarriyya; a general manager at the Nigerian Flour Mills who discusses ‘Faith merchandise and the worsening poverty level in Nigeria: A consideration? The next session will feature two medical consultants; Prof Muhammed Manga and Associate Prof Jibril Abdul Malik who will discuss infections and mental health issues respectively. The last session before the grand Dinner is titled ‘Building Challenges: the role of Muslim Lawyers’ to be discussed by two of our past presidents and erudite professors of law at the University of Maiduguri and University of Ilorin; Prof Daud Kamal and Prof Ibrahim Abikan, respectively.
“Lastly, the grand Dinner sponsored by the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States; Alhaji Dauda Akinola will be the last programme of the conference where distinguished members of the Association will be honoured. I must quickly add that this year’s AGC is a three day fully packed event, have been laced and embellished with some side attractions and goodies to water the appetite of all the participants. These side attractions include a tour to the zoological garden at the university, free wifi to the delegates.”
Also speaking, the chairman, 2024 Conference Organising Committe, Musbau Adetunbi said over a thousand lawyers and non lawyers alike across the country will be attending the conference.
He said no fewer than 13 erudite speakers drawn from all the six geo-political zones of the country as well as eminent gentlemen and lady presenters comprising six professors, three senior advocates, two consultants/physicians, three educationists and a banker will discuss the theme and sub-themes in nine sessions and the grand dinner.
Other dignitaries billed to attend the conference include: Vice President Kazim Shettima, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Mohammed Bago (Niger), His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto as well as His Eminence, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola, the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land Edo and Delta states.
