A University Don, Prof. Simeon Tamunoibuomi Igbanibo, has called for the inclusion of basic legal concepts in schools’ curriculum to change the lifestyles of students through possession of legal etiquettes.
Speaking recently in his 2022 Inaugural Lecture, titled,”Interdisciplinarity And Social Order In Nigeria: A Socio-Jurisprudential Perspective”. at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Igbanibo said the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should as a matter of compulsion be included in the curriculum.
He said this should be done with particular reference to chapters 1 to 4 that focuses on general provisions referencing the supremacy of the constitution’s fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, citizenship and fundamental rights.
Igbanibo drew attention to the concept of negligence which, he said, “consists of either doing that which a prudent and reasonable man would not do (misfeasance), or omitting to do something which a prudent and reasonable man would do (no-feasance), and its ingredients to be infused into the schools’ curricular”.
The Professor of “Institutional Analysis” who noteded that the ingredients of negligence such as negligent statements, malice and duty of care ought to be included in curriculum, urged curriculum planners to emphasize the legal dictum that “ignorance of the law is no excuse”.
He emphasised on the need to convince authorities of the essence of including legal concepts in schools’ curriculum.
The 42nd Inaugural lecturer who defined trespass as “any direct intentional or negligent interference with the person or liberty of another that is actionable without proof of damages”, stressed that it should be infused.
“The action for recovery of damages”, he said, “may be under assault, battery, false imprisonment or malicious prosecution with their meanings taught and their implications deciphered”.
He said in addition to the classification of crimes such as felony, misdemeanor, simple offences and civil wrongs, the history and functions of the Armed Forces, including the Police, should also occupy a prominent position in the curriculum.
This, he explained, will enable scholars know how to relate with the personnel to encourage peaceful coexistence.
“Developed nations have carved a niche for themselves in this period of digitalization”.
He advocated for rapid development in the country through “the synergy of different courses, the trajectory of developmental strives that is hinged on interdisciplinarity to usher a new era of social order that would engender equity, good conscience, consciousness and development”.
Prof Igbanibo recommended that transformation leaders should be in power to implement the findings of interdisciplinary researches, and “have the willpower to surmount all renegades and problems that may confront the joint researches and findings”.
He also recommended that the National Assembly should amend the constitution in terms of “dealing with corrupt minds that are debased”, adding that if the amendment is positively effected, “Nigeria may likely be equated with some Asian countries that detest corruption and self aggrandisement”.
Lawyers’ services, he continued, should be sought when curriculum planners are drawing their curricular, “so that legal niceties can be imbued in the curriculum”.
In his remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, commended the 42nd inaugural lecturer for what he called his five star presentation.
“Social problems can be solved if there is order, and through order, there would be growth, development, peace of mind, equity and justice”, he said.
On his part, the Director of Administration VC’s Office, overseeing the Registry Department, Mr Donald Okogbaa, noted that Prof Igbanibo has exposed a lot, saying that “no one individual can solve societal problems and ensure peace.”

By: Sogbeba Dokubo