Baskadia

The Faculty of Law, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU – formerly Kogi State

University), Anyigba, Kogi State, in conjunction with the Law Students’ Association

of Nigeria (LAWSAN), PAAU Chapter, organized a one-day career mentorship

programme on Saturday, 29th day of July, 2023 for her law students. The

Programme was tagged “Bold Transitions in the Legal Profession.” In attendance

were an array of legal luminaries drawn from the Bar and Bench. The Honourable,

The Chief Judge and Chairman, Judicial Service Commission, Kogi State, Hon. Justice

Josiah Joe Majebi, who was represented by Ojoma Rachael Haruna, (AICMC), DCR,

PRS, Judicial Service Commission, Kogi State, delivered a keynote address and

declared the ceremony open. The Hon. Chief Judge who was the Special Guest of

Honour, stated that the theme of the programme was apt within the context of a

rapidly transiting world and business environment triggered in part by

revolutionary exploits, expressions of technology and the historic coronavirus

pandemic. His Lordship emphasized the need for the 21st Century legal practitioner

to embrace the emerging practice trends and boldly transition with audacity and

innovation.

Addressing the theme of the event, the students were urged to be focused in their

studies, eschew every act of misconduct, including: “get rich quick” mentality,

entitlement mentality, etc. The opportunities available in the legal profession were

laid bare to the students with steps needed to be taken in pursuing each

highlighted. The importance of internship at law firms and courts (as assistants to

Judicial Officers) was brought to the fore.

The Guest Speakers present at the programme were: Mr. J.S. Okutepa, SAN, Mr.

M.S. Ibrahim, SAN and Mrs. Ojoma Rachael Haruna, Esq. (DCR, Judicial Service

Commission). While Mr. M.Y. Abdullahi, SAN was brought on the programme to

address the students virtually. Other Speakers were Prof. D.F. Atidoga, the Deputy

Vice Chancellor Academics, PAAU, Prof. Benjamin Ogwo, the Director of

Consultancy Services, PAAU, and Dr. Shedrack Ekpa, The Deputy Dean of Law and

Head of Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, PAAU. The Dean of Law, PAAU, Prof. Enemaku Obaje expressed the Faculty’s, as well as

the University’s appreciation to the Guest Speakers, acknowledging the huge

sacrifices they made to be physically present at the event.

The President of the Law Students’ Association, PAAU Chapter, Miss Ufedojo

Victory Okoliko, who could not hold back her joy at the success of the programme,

expressed unreserved appreciation to the Faculty for the opportunity accorded to

her executive to hold the event and to the invited Guest Speakers, for their

unquantifiable sacrifices to attend the event. She assured that herself and her

colleagues are delighted with the express access granted to them for periodic

mentorship and stated that they will not miss any opportunity to be mentored by

the distinguished Legal Practitioners.

Part of the highlights of the event was the practical mentorship steps, taken by Mr.

J.S. Okutepa, SAN in volunteering himself as the Grand Patron of the Students’ Inns

of Court at the Faculty of Law and the subsequent pronouncement of Chief A.A.

Malik, SAN, Mr. J.J. Usman, SAN, Mr. M.S. Ibrahim, SAN and Mr. M.Y. Abdullahi,

SAN as patrons of each of the four Inns of Court, with a further commitment to be

available for periodic mentorship of law students of PAAU in the practical aspect of

law.

A cross section of Law Students, who spoke to this reporter at the end of the

programme expressed their immeasurable joy for the opportunity they had to

listen to practical issues bothering on the legal profession, as they prepare to

transition into the profession. They also hope that, such events will hold more frequently.