NBA Hails NSITF’s Presentation at 65th Annual Conference as Eye Opener

By Chinedu Echianu

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the participation of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) at its 65th Annual Conference in Enugu as an eye opener for many lawyers, particularly on the workings of the Fund and the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).

The commendation came when the Chairman of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Owhor Clever (Esq), led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NSITF headquarters in Abuja. He praised the Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye-led management for what he called a brilliant presentation at the conference.

According to him, “the NSITF outing at our 65th annual conference in Enugu was an eye opener for many lawyers in Nigeria on the functions of the Fund and the ECA. The NSITF team to the conference deserves commendations for their brilliant presentations.”

Clever, however, lamented that many workers across the country had been left destitute by workplace injuries due to a lack of awareness of the scheme.

In his response, the Managing Director of NSITF, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye—represented by the Executive Director, Administration, Barrister Samaila Abdu—urged lawyers to use their influence with clients to drive compliance with the Employees’ Compensation Act of 2010.

“Lawyers have a duty to advise clients on how they can key into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme. We have a duty to ourselves and to our clients,” he said.

Faleye also revealed plans by the Fund to embark on sensitization visits to NBA branches nationwide to further raise awareness about the ECS and its benefits. He pledged to partner with the NBA Gwagwalada Branch on training, sensitization and other collaborative initiatives that would advance both organisations’ objectives.

“The Employees’ Compensation Act 2010 emerged as a legal reform and moral commitment to take care of workplace injuries for those who have keyed into the scheme,” the NSITF boss added.

It would be recalled that during the Enugu conference, Faleye presented the lead paper at the VI Breakout Session, titled “Enhancing Workplace Safety and Social Protection: The Role of Employees’ Compensation Act 2010.”