Chairman of the Governing Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Olorogun John Nani, has arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the 2026 Annual Conference of the International Bar Association (IBA).
Nani is attending the global legal gathering alongside other lawyers from Delta State, including the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, and Pastor Powell Ovuokeyen Tos, also known as Pastor Powell Ojogho, who serves as Executive Assistant (Protocol) to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The IBA Annual Conference is taking place at the Bella Centre in Copenhagen from October 4 to 9, 2026, bringing together legal practitioners, judges, academics, policymakers and other professionals from jurisdictions across the world.
The annual gathering provides a platform for legal professionals to exchange knowledge, examine developments in international law and discuss emerging issues affecting the legal profession, business and society.
This year’s conference has placed significant emphasis on the rule of law, with delegates participating in hundreds of sessions, committee meetings and professional discussions covering areas including international arbitration, human rights, business law, technology, governance and global regulation.
The participation of Nani, Egbo and Pastor Powell adds a Delta dimension to the Nigerian delegation at the international legal forum, providing an opportunity for interaction with lawyers and legal institutions from different parts of the world.
For Nani, a lawyer whose career has combined legal practice with public service, the conference offers an opportunity to engage with contemporary developments in the profession while connecting with practitioners from different jurisdictions.
His participation also comes against the backdrop of his responsibilities at DESOPADEC, where he has been involved in discussions and initiatives concerning development in Delta State’s oil-producing communities.
The IBA describes its annual conference as its largest gathering, attracting thousands of lawyers and other legal professionals from more than 130 jurisdictions.
The 2026 conference opened with discussions highlighting the importance of the rule of law in addressing contemporary global challenges. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, were among the prominent figures at the opening ceremony.
IBA President Claudio Visco, while addressing delegates, underscored the responsibility of lawyers to defend the rule of law and speak out on issues affecting society.
“Sovereignty is not something to be bought, traded, or coerced,” Visco said at the opening ceremony.
He also urged members of the legal profession to speak up, create awareness and educate the public on the importance of the rule of law.
The conference is expected to continue throughout the week, with delegates examining emerging legal, economic, governance and international issues while strengthening professional relationships across jurisdictions.
