From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has commended Nigerian law teachers for their invaluable contributions to democracy and national development.
He disclosed this during the 55th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT), held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
Speaking on behalf of Fagbemi, Professor Olucha Anyaouku delivered the Attorney-General’s address, celebrating the role of legal educators in promoting justice and democracy.
He urged law teachers to recognize their unique influence, stating, “Every law teacher in Nigeria should walk tall into any gathering, knowing that they know the law, teach the law, and can interpret the law!”
Fagbemi further applauded the conference’s focus on judicial independence, emphasizing its importance in safeguarding citizens’ rights.
“It is important to protect the judiciary in a democracy; the judiciary serves as the defender of people from intrusions,” he remarked, stressing the need for a judiciary free from external interference to uphold justice in Nigeria.
Addressing the nation’s security challenges, Fagbemi encouraged law experts to propose innovative strategies that could bolster Nigeria’s security framework, expressing optimism that insights from the conference would reinforce government efforts in tackling security issues.
NALT President, Professor Nimah Abdulraheem, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ilorin, appreciated the large turnout, which included representatives from over 70 law faculties across the country.
She also highlighted the aspiration for more law educators to achieve the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) status.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, commended the dedication of the attendees, affirming the institution’s commitment to advancing legal scholarship and research excellence.