We have on behalf of Mr. AKIN AKINBOTE the honor and privilege to formally announce the birth of the OHADA Nigeria Club, registered as a company limited by guarantee under the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria by the Corporate Affairs Commission, on 27th day of June, 2007. The main objectives of OHADA Nigeria are as follows:

1. To promote and develop the harmonization of laws in Africa and other parts of the world.
2. To promote and develop uniform application and interpretation of laws in Africa and other parts of the world.
3. To promote through harmonization of laws in Africa and other parts of the world the interests of commerce, trade, industry, banking, insurance, finance, transport, science, engineering, telecommunication, technology and all other related fields of human endeavor in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
4. To promote and develop regional integration and economic growth in Africa and other parts of the world, through harmonization, uniform application and interpretation of laws.
5. To promote and develop Rules of Arbitration, Mediation, Conciliation and other means of alternative dispute resolution in Africa and other parts of the world.

The inaugural meeting of the Club took place on 21st of August, 2007 and the following colleagues were elected officers of the Executive Committee to run its affairs.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

1. AKINTOLA AKINBOTE - PRESIDENT (Former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch and Principal-In-Chambers, Akin Akinbote & Co.)
2. GEORGE ETOMI - 1ST VICE PRESIDENT (Chairman Section on Business Law, Nigerian Bar Association and Principal Partner George Etomi & Partners
3. MOHAMMED BELLO-ADOKE S.A.N. - 2ND VICE PRESIDENT (Former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Kano Branch and Principal Partner M. Bello-Adoke & Co.)
4. ABIMBOLA AKEREDOLU (MRS.) - SECRETARY (Partner, Litigation and Arbitration, Banwo & Ighodalo & Co.)
5. ALEX MUOKA - FINANCIAL SECRETARY (Principal Partner A. Muoka & Co.)
6. MORENIKE OBI-FARINDE (MRS.) - TREASURER (Partner, Adigun Ogunseitan & Co.)
7. OLANREWAJU OYETUNJI - LEGAL ADVISER (Principal, Lanre Oyetunji's Chambers)
8. IKEAZOR AKARAIWE - PUBLICITY SECRETARY (Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Enugu Branch and Principal Partner, Ikeazor Akaraiwe & Associates)
9. ADEJUMOKE ADEMILUYI (MISS) - ASSISTANT SECRETARY
(Counsel, Udo-Udoma & Bello Osagie & Co.)
10. ADE IPAYE - EX - OFFICIO (Senior Lecturer, Department of Commercial & Industrial Law, University of Lagos and currently, Special Adviser (Taxation & Revenue) to the Governor of Lagos State)
11. AYODELE KUSAMOTU - EX - OFFICIO (Partner, Kusamotu & Kusamotu)
12. BOLAJI OWAONSOYE - EX - OFFICIO (Professor and former Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Acting Executive Director of Human Development Initiatives, a leading women's and children's rights NGO)
13. DEJI ADEKUNLE - EX - OFFICIO (Professor, Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies, is currently involved in ECOWAS project on harmonization of business laws in West Africa)

All the members of the Executive Council are involved in one cross border practice or the other and International Commercial practice as Litigation Counsel, Arbitrators, Mediators, Jurists and Researchers. OHADA Nigeria's strategy is to move from theoretical application of OHADA Laws to practical application of the laws towards enhancing regional integration in all its ramifications and for the benefit of all in Africa, be it Francophone, Anglophone or Portuguese speaking. In this task, we realize that OHADA Laws are little known beyond the academic circles. This makes sensitization of the official, business, banking, legal, legislative circles very imperative and has to be carefully done. In pursuance of the above objectives, OHADA Nigeria has drawn out the following plan of action:

1. "Prise de Contact" with ECOWAS Secretariat, ECOWAS States Ambassadors in Nigeria, ECOWAS Court, Federal Government Officials, Federal Legislators, Bankers, Businessmen, Lawyers and others who are involved or are interested in cross-border businesses.
2. Formal courtesy visits to ECOWAS Secretariat, ECOWAS States Ambassadors in Nigeria, ECOWAS Court, Federal Government Officials, Federal Legislators, Bankers, Businessmen, Lawyers and others who are involved or are interested in cross-boarder businesses.
3. Two Business Luncheons/Lectures (Abuja and Lagos) on OHADA, having as guests personalities in the identified sectors 1 and 2 above. Dr. ADESEGUN AKIN-OLUGBADE has consented to being a guest lecturer.
4. Workshop and Seminars on OHADA in 2008.

OHADA Nigeria pledges to quietly work to ensure that OHADA becomes an effective legal tool in Nigeria and other Anglophone countries in West Africa. For further information, you may contact: Mr. AKIN AKINBOTE Akin Akinbote & Co. Mabayomije Law Office
7 Lawal Street Off Oweh Street Jibowu - Lagos Tel.: +234 1 3425616 / +234 1 8040316 / 1 8937713 Mob.: +234 8023210692 / +234 1 4354896 Fax.: +234 1 3425616