Group tasks SAN on professionalism

The Akwa Ibom Progressive Union (AKPU) has advised a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Emmanuel Enoidem, to concentrate on his thriving legal career instead of joining local politics.

The socio-political group, which says it is championing human capital development of the people of Akwa Ibom, offered the advice in a statement released to journalists in Lagos, through its spokesperson, Bassey Okon.

Explaining the basis of the advice, Okon, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “While we encourage professionals to join politics with the hope that they could help in salvaging the situation of the country, we believe that over-concentration on politics at the expense of professionalism is detrimental to human capacity development.”

The statement reads: “Given the way politicians devalue the essence of politics in our society, thoroughbred professionals like Enoidem, the only SAN from his native Etim Ekpo local government area in Akwa Ibom, should be cautious in his involvement in politics.

“Instead of concentrating more in professional works or influencing political direction with fine tenets of their respective professional callings, some professionals in Akwa Ibom have unwittingly allowed their names to be heard more in politics than anything else.

“Since we cherish the human capacity of certain individuals in public and private sectors, we advise Enoidem, just as we urge all other professionals, to play less on politics and concentrate more on his legal practice, where he can mentor many other lawyers.”

The group advised him to ensure that he won’t allow petty issues in local politics to pave the way for political detractors and his opponents to make a mess of his hard-earned reputation.

“Instead of being seen as the godfathers of Ward chairmen, councillors, local council chairmen and commissioners in every dispensation, let the world see him in the mould of Afe Babalola, Wole Olanipekun, Mike Ozekhome among other legal luminaries, who are producing great legal minds and making huge resources from their private legal practice,” the group charged.