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JUST IN: Why Portable Performed At Our 2023 Conference – NBA

Published

2 years ago

September 1, 2023

The Nigerian Bar Association has explained why singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, performed at the association’s 2023 Annual General Conference held on Thursday dismissing the rumour making the rounds that the artiste was paid to perform.

Late last night, netizens lashed out at the NBA for inviting Portable to perform at their show that consisted of “learned” individuals adding that the association had by that singular act not helped its reputation and reduced themselves to “razz”.

Others say the show was a joke and an embarrassment to the law profession known for conservatism.

But in his reaction, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Akorede Lawal, during an exclusive interview with PUNCH on Friday, linked Portable’s presence at the event to entertainer Obi Cubana’s partnership with the programme as the headline sponsor.

He added that latter’s Cubana Group brought Portable because he was one of his products (Odogwu bitters) brand ambassadors and because being the headline sponsor came with bringing a guest artiste to perform at the ‘Unbar concert’ that usually has lawyers irrespective of their status to close the conference.

Lawal said, “We did not pay a dime to Portable for the concert. It is the largest gathering of lawyers anywhere in the world and so to that extent, we always write to sponsors to finance every level of our events.

“We have partners from America, Chile, and a host of other countries who pride in what we do and take it upon themselves to get the programme financed annually.”

Speaking on whether lawyers staged a walkout on Portable at the event, the publicity secretary said, “No, they did not. The Friendship Centre is the customary place where all lawyers go to unwind, network and do all other social activities.

“So, the concert was meant to take place there but we later told the lawyers to move to the ‘Unbarred concert’ at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja because we don’t want two events at the same time given that that place (Friendship Centre) had been decorated already to promote their brands.

“They were the headline sponsor of the centre and that’s where the DJs and every other social activities had been going on since the start of the event. So we closed the place down to have a unified event,” he added.

He further appreciated the Cubana Group for sponsoring the event.

The conference tagged “Getting it right” marked the 63rd and it started on Friday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 30, 2023, with several activities earmarked for the occasion.”

News

JUST IN: Police Deal Off PDP National Secretariat

Published

39 minutes ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police on Wednesday sealed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The development is linked to the face-off between two factions of the party on Tuesday.

Pandemonium broke out at the facility on Tuesday when the Saminu Turaki-led faction clashed with members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, were teargassed during the confrontation.

DAILY POST observed on Wednesday that barbed wire was used to create a barrier to prevent anyone from gaining access to the premises.

None of the leaders of the two warring groups was sighted at the secretariat, as only a handful of policemen were on the ground.

However, supporters of the faction led by Kabiru Turaki opposed the decision of the police to barricade the premises.

News

JUST IN: Insecurity: Tinubu Suspends Trip To G20, AU-EU Summit

Published

1 hour ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put off his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola, as he awaits further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

This was contained in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement said Tinubu has ordered the deployment of more security operatives to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.

The President Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja on Wednesday to attend the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa and thereafter proceed to Luanda to attend the 7th AU-EU Summit.

“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure.

“He now awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathetic visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the attack in Kwara,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the President reiterated his directive to the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home safe.

News

IPF Holds Annual Ijaw Media Conference December

Published

15 hours ago

November 19, 2025

Editor

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum has announced the second edition of its annual Ijaw Media Conference.

The conference themed “Safeguarding Oil and Gas Natural Resources for Future Generations in the Niger Delta” will take place on December 11, 2025, at KFT Place, beginning at 12 noon.

In a statement signed by the IPF National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the Forum noted that the conference is intended to strengthen public understanding of the dangers of oil theft, unchecked exploitation, and environmental pollution.

The statement highlighted the severe harm these practices inflict on the region, affecting both ecological systems and human communities and hindering long-term development.

The 2025 planning committee, chaired by Arex Akemotubo, has Tare Magbei as Secretary. The committee is charged with the responsibility of a successful programme.

Other members of the committee are:
Francis Abai, Financial Secretary while
Ezekiel Kagbala, Sunday Daniel; Mike Ugedi, Dr Kegbe, Sam Dogitimi,
Tam Okumbiri, serve as members.

The Forum urged leaders, stakeholders, and young people to work with relevant authorities and security groups to support continued public awareness efforts aimed at protecting the region’s natural resources and the wellbeing of its inhabitants.

The IPF also called for sponsorship and invites all stakeholders and the wider public to attend the conference on December 11, 2025