By : Katherine Abayomi.
The Chairman of the 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), reacted to a rejoinder by the Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, to the effect that the suspended administration paid hosting rights to the Association for the NBA AGC 2025 and should be refunded by the Association.
The NBA states that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.”
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government, and state governments for support, and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever,’ Obegolu retorted.
Obegolu further stated that in recent times, NBA Conferences have received support from different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments, and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with the association.
He stated that these financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships, or sponsorships, and Rivers State’s contribution was a gift that was not tied to any purported hosting rights for the NBA AGC. The chairman of the 2025 NBA AGC planning committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), reaffirmed the association’s commitment to delivering a world-class conference to members of the Bar and refuted any unnecessary controversy over the matter.’
