NAN-H-73
Lawyers
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Clement Dakas (SAN), Dean Faculty of Law, University of Jos, had challenged lawyers to see law as a higher calling for nation building.
Dakas told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that “law is a very unique profession, very distinct that lawyers pride themselves as belonging to the only learned profession.
“But it also comes with a great deal of responsibility and it requires us to fully appreciate the fact that we belong to a profession that is of a higher calling not just a business.
“A law degree is not just a meal ticket. Law can be constructively engaged and be a very important, very powerful instrument in transforming society.
“ We all have a responsibility as lawyers leveraging on our ethical principles to ensure that we nurture the flowers in the garden and the key pillars that are at the heart of nation building,” he said.
Dakas was of the view that there might well have been some challenges over the course of time but when lawyers focus on the bigger pictures the better.
“ Lawyers have a very critical role to play in nation building.
“You have a few bad elements in the system, we all are Nigerians and we know some of the challenges we grapple with as lawyers and as a country and the role of lawyers in this.
“ But again, when you focus on the bigger picture you realise that lawyers whether they are in service as judges or in some other capacities, actually those who act in the manners that are not consistent with the ethical imperative in my view are in the minority“ he said.
He believed that a great number of lawyers were playing positive roles in the development of our states and our country.
“I think that is the way to go, Lawyers especially in this dispensation are fully represented in the government.
“The vice president is a lawyer, senior advocate of Nigeria, the speaker of the House of Representatives too, so numbers two and four in the hierarchy are all lawyers.
“ The chief justice of Nigeria of course is a lawyer, as I said well there may be some challenges, the truth of the matter is that ultimately when you focus on the bigger picture you see thousands of lawyers quietly making a very positive difference.
“ I believe that lawyers are playing very positive role in the development of Nigeria, as lawyers, we must go back to the root and ethical imperatives, we must see our profession as more than a business “ said Dakas.
He also commended the corruption agenda of the present administration saying ` We have to ensure that it is undertaken within the framework of the rule of law and inspire confidence in Nigerians`. (NAN)
NEO/DUA/OFN