The Nigerian Bar Association has clarified the reason for singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, performing at their 2023 Annual General Conference.

Contrary to rumors that the artist was paid to perform, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Akorede Lawal, explained that Portable’s presence at the event was linked to entertainer Obi Cubana’s partnership with the program as the headline sponsor.

Cubana Group, one of Obi Cubana’s businesses, includes Portable as a brand ambassador for Odogwu bitters, a product under their umbrella.

As the headline sponsor, Cubana Group was responsible for bringing a guest artist to perform at the ‘Unbarred concert,’ which is part of the conference.

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Lawal emphasized that Portable was not paid for the concert, as sponsors typically finance various aspects of the event.

He clarified that there was no walkout by lawyers during Portable’s performance, as the Friendship Centre, where the concert was initially scheduled, is a customary gathering place for lawyers to network and unwind.

The concert was later moved to the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja to avoid simultaneous events at the same location, as the Friendship Centre had already been set up for other activities.