Don’t loose faith in Nigeria’s legal system – Academic Don
Philip Clement Abuja
Students studying to become practicing lawyers in Nigeria have been advised not to loose faith in the profession despite several factors diminishing the standard of legal practice in the country.
A former dean, Faculty of Law at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Ken Nwogu gave this advice.
He was delivering a lecture at the 18th annual dinner by the Faculty of Law, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Anambra state.
Organized by the Law Students Association (LAWSA) of the school, the yearly statutory event was held at Hollywood event centre in Awka, the state capital with the theme ‘differentia’.
In his paper presentation which was later shared to the press, Mr Nwogu admonished law students at the event to uphold and maintain the ethics and standard of the profession at all cost.
Professor Nwogu described the law profession as well respected and revered hence the need for lawyers to always stand out.
“There is a difference a lawyer brings into any situation. You made the best decisions of your lives by studying the law profession”, he told the students.
The professor encouraged the potential lawyers not to give up on the judiciary system.
One major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the winners of the LAWSA essay competition which was held earlier in the week building up to the dinner night.
A second-year law student, Vincent Ifeacho won the first prize in the competition and received a 1.5KVA inverter system, a cash prize of N50,000 and other gift items.
A 100 level female law student, Adaora Akubude came second and was gifted a cash prize of N30,000 and some other gift items.
Two 300 level students, Nnanna Francis and Anekeokwu Christopher had the same score and were tied in the third position. They both received a cash prize of N20, 000 each among other gift items.
Sponsored by Okereke Best Nnadozie , the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goodey Best Group, a holding company controlling two other subsidiaries – Goodey Best Multi-Biz Limited and Goodey Best Farms Limited, the essay competition was an academic exercise for law students based on their curriculums and areas of study.
The prizes was announced by the Chief marketing officer of the Goody Best Group, Etomike Obianyo and the gifts were handed out to the winners by the speaker of Anambra state house of assembly, Mr Okafor.
“Academic achievements have been under appreciated in higher institutions in Nigeria and essay competitions are barely organized. Even when organized, the reward is very poor”, said Mr Okereke, the sponsor of the competition who also happens to be a law student in the same faculty.
