The Rivers State Government has called on young up-coming lawyers to imbibe the virtue of integrity, hard work, excellence and perseverance which, he said, are the hallmarks of the legal profession.
The State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, made the call while delivering his goodwill message and declaring open the two-day 2023 Annual Summit organised by the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum with the theme, “Breaking Barriers, Creating Future Leaders in Nigeria from the Present and next Generation of Young Lawyers”, held at the Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute in Port Harcourt, weekend.
Governor Fubara, who was represented on the occasion by the State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zaccheaus Adangor, said the theme of the summit has a lofty idea and aspiration that are essential in providing leadership, not only in Nigeria, but also across the globe.
The State Chief Executive told the gathering that as young lawyers, they must strive for hard work, perseverance and confine themselves to the ethical standards of integrity, honesty, and transparency, stressing that it was on such virtues that lawyers are trained to provide leadership in the society .
He expressed worry that most lawyers, especially the young once, are more concerned about get rich syndrome instead of striving for hard work and integrity.
“I am not against making money, but you have to strive for excellence first as a leader and perseverance, then money will come”, he stated
Governor Fubara assured that the state government would continue to play its supporting roles to the legal profession, especially in the development of the young lawyers, adding, that was what informed the past administration to assist the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the State with N50 million each.
“Lawyers are the only professionals trained in the administration of rule of law and protection of human rights in the society, so you must strive for integrity and excellence in the pursuit of your professional responsibilities”, he urged,
Also speaking, the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, described the young lawyers as pivotal and essential strength in the practice of the law profession.
Among other things, he urged them to strive in developing their educational careers, and be involved in leadership and mentoring, such as building bridges among their seniors and colleagues, adding that in doing so, they will be able to break barriers in the legal practice.
Earlier, Chairman, NBA, Young Lawyers Forum, Port Harcourt Branch, Shedrack Enebeli, said, as young lawyers, they needed to harness the abundant potentials of the country and appealed for the platform to excel in the profession.
Enebeli stated that members of the forum were willing to use their potentials to contribute to the development of the legal profession and the nation at large.
“It is important to note that this summit is not merely an event but a call to action. Nigerians, especially the youths, have expressed joy over the appointment of young Nigerians of diverse expertise into sensitive positions of authority and trust by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to foster inclusivity in the leadership of the country”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has lamented what he called the poor maintenance culture in the Nigeria Legal Education, particularly at the Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School.
Wike expressed his dissatisfaction while delivering his keynote address at the 2023 Annual Summit, saying that his administration initiated, built and equipped the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt Campus, stressing that with the huge resources invested in the magnificent structures, the present state of the law school was an embarrassment.
He, however, expressed optimism that the future leaders of the country would emerge among them, stating that it was one of the reasons the Rivers State Government, under his administration, took up the project and ensured its actualisation.
He said he had told the Director General of the Law School that he was highly disappointed at the condition of the Law School, considering the huge investment made by his administration to forestall the present rot.
“Go to that school, you will see that grass has taken over the place. We even went further to build stores and shops so that they can rent them out to maintain the school. It is easy to criticise those in authority, but when you are given (authority), you can’t perform”, he stated.
The Minister noted several challenges impeding the growth of young lawyers and urged government, prominent private legal practitioners, and firms to encourage the forum for professional advancement and fulfilment.

By: Akujobi Amadi