In a release issued by the chairman of the 2025 AGC planning committee Emeka Obegolu (SAN) stated that the decision of the NBA to host the 2025 AGC in Portharcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights. He further emphasized that Port Harcourt Rivers State which was formerly agreed to host the AGC has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
He maintained that, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
Emeka Obegolu (SAN) made it clear to the public that NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA. Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships stressing that the money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.
The AGC boss reassured the public that NBA is committed to delivering a world class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.
