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Osinbajo on how high rate of poverty in Nigeria should be tackled

By Kehinde Olatunji
04 January 2019   |   3:07 am
It was a night of sharing sweet memories. The chroniclers were the alumni of the Law Class 1986 of the University of Lagos. They had, after graduation 32 years ago, contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria in their individual capacity The ex-students who have attained great feat in various walks of life…

Mr. Yinka Okunade (left), representative of Vice-President, Dr. Aina Salami; Chairman on the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Mrs. Yemi Adeyinka and Dr. Paul Angya at the Unilag Law Class ’86 Reunion Dinner held at Raddisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos…

It was a night of sharing sweet memories. The chroniclers were the alumni of the Law Class 1986 of the University of Lagos. They had, after graduation 32 years ago, contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria in their individual capacity

The ex-students who have attained great feat in various walks of life recently gathered at Radisson Blu Hotel to celebrate memorable years of doing great things.

Interestingly, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is among the prestigious ex-students including other dignitaries such as state governors, deputy governors, distinguished jurists, first class monarchs and traditional fathers, judges (both home and abroad), serving and former heads of parastatals, ministers, clerics, top brass military personnel, commissioners, federal and states permanent secretaries, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (S.A.N), as well as captains of industries.

Among those present at the event included: the first female Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Chioma Agomo; Prof. Ayo Atsegbua (S.A.N); Prof. Peter Fagan, and first and only distinguished Professor in UNILAG Faculty of Law, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (S.A.N).

Dr. Aina Salami, who represented Osinbajo, congratulated the class for the initiative of organizing the reunion.

In his keynote address titled: “The need for lawyers to get more involved in war against poverty,” Osinbajo lamented the high rate of poverty in the country saying it was alarming.

He said: “Poverty has been said to be the ultimate abuse of human rights, and denial of access to justice is nothing but an affront to the rule of law. A society cannot, therefore, enjoy the fullest aspiration for the rule of law, where poverty thrives. As lawyers, we have a major role to play and do something about poverty, through the law and social justice.”

Chairman on the occasion, founder, Juli Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, challenged his old classmates to use their position as lawyers, judges, SANs and justices to reform the country judiciary system especially in the delay of process of the adjudication of law.

He narrated the case of a boy, who was arrested alongside some hoodlums by the police in Ikorodu, Lagos, while he was 12, noting that the boy did not regain freedom until after 23 years.

“There are many of such cases in the country today. And this is what lawyers need to stand against. A nation that has strong lawyers is a fortunate one, while that which has weak lawyers is unfortunate.”

On his part, the President of the class, Mr. Shola Abidakun, said the core objective of the set is to give back to their alma mater.

“This core objective of the re-union is to give back to the institution. There is need for us to give back to our faculty. The Law School annex is in dire need of infrastructural development and we will take this up.

“Also, there is need for us to institute an endowment fund for the best graduating students in the law faculty. We have been hinted that 22 out of the students presented by the faculty at the Law School, had first class. You will agree with me that this is a feat that is worthy of celebration.”

Chairperson of the reunion committee, Chief Lizzy Nwagbara, in her address expressed joy at the reunion, saying it was a celebratory occasion.

“We are grateful to God for granting us life and grace to gather once more in our lifetime, after 32 years of graduating from UNILAG in 1986.

“The idea to have a reunion event has been discussed over the years but, recently, the six senior advocates in our class took proactive steps to provide basic funds, which eventual lifted the spirit of a possible event. And here we are today. The contributions and responses by our class members both home and abroad have been unparalleled and overwhelming. You have all proven that we can work together, even after 32 years of being apart.”

The first female dean of students of the Faculty, Prof. Chioma Agomo, who also taught the class, said: “When they came in, I was still very young in the system. Now they are all grandparents. We have always had a very open and cordial relationship. And the unique thing about them now is that they are very successful, creative and diverse in their ways. They should be a source of mentorship and inspiration to the current students in that faculty.”

Highpoint of the reunion was the presentation of special awards to the vice president and other guests.

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