Photo: Some Legal Practitioners in Solidarity with Barrister Okutepa SAN over the honour bestowed on him by UniJos Alumni Association.
From Joseph Amedu,Lokoja
The University of Jos Alumni Association, has promised continued academic and facility support to tertiary institutions across the country.
The National President of the Association, Pastor Nuhu Sani gave the assurance while speaking at the Second Distinguished Lecture in honour of Barrister J.S. Okutepa(SAN), organized by the union in collaboration with the Faculty of Law of the Kogi State University, Anyigba over the weekend.
Barrister Okutepa(SAN), is a Principal Partner of J.S. Okutepa & Co, one of the leading Law Firms in Nigeria with offices in FCT, Abuja and Makurdi, Benue state respectively.
The National President appreciated the noble contributions of Barrister Okutepa to his Alma mater and his professional callings which he said informed his recognition by the UniJos Alumni.
He said that the event which was part of its annual Programme, attracted greater number of its members and friends of the Alumni to contribute to intellectual development of the law students in the University.
He said that the association will not relent in impacting positively on the lives of the students whom he described as future leaders.
Pastor Sani commended the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello for his quick response in evacuating indigenous students at the University of Jos during the recent crisis in Plateau state.
He lauded Kogi State University for the hosting of the lecture series in the institution with a promise for more collaboration to the benefit of the students.
Okutupe Sorrounded by Friends and Colleagues.
In a paper presentation by the first guest lecturer, and a legal practitioner based in Lokoja, Barrister Yemi Mohammed, titled Curbing Decadence In The Society Through Obidence Of Law”Challenges And Prospects” harped on equality before the rule of law irrespective of status, political and religious background.
According to him, “Both the leaders and the led must obey the law of the land. Our leaders must be made to shun impunity and sabotage of law enforcement as everybody is equal before the law. Why are those in Leadership positions make laws that are not obeyed? what are the use of the law if all citizens fail to obey them?” the law practitioner queried.
Barrister Mohammed therefore, demanded for the removal of the imunity clause for the President and state governors in the nation’s constitution.
Also in a paper delivered by the Dean College of Law of Salem University, Lokoja, Dr. Joshua Igonoh, titled, Interrogating State Of Nigerian Sovereignty From The Spectacle Of Marxian Dialectic” Search For Philosophical Antidote To Contemporary Socio-political Challenges In Nigeria” stressed that every human being has economic motive for what he or she engages in, describing the attitude to the root of corruption in Nigeria.
He maintained that Nigerian Sovereignty is seriously under threat as it depicts absolute and ultimate authority to declare law and control over a particular mission.
Dr. Igonoh declared that corruption formed the aro head of Nigeria’s challenges and admonished youths across the country to shun the attitude as future leaders.
He also affirmed that Nigeria is in the state of failing nation as a result of corruption, insecurity and banditry currently on alarming rate.
In his speech during the occasion, the Kogi State Chairman of UniJos Alumni, Hon Oladipo Bayode expressed gratitude to members of the Association and their lovely friends for the success of the lecture series in honour of those who have distinguished themselves.