Lead fight against corruption, minister urges lawyers

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has urged legal professionals to present themselves as key drivers in the ongoing fight against corruption and the promotion of the rule of law in Nigeria.

The minister made the call in Sokoto State on Saturday during the Young Lawyers Forum Summit, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Sokoto branch, while highlighting the eight priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He urged the lawyers to work hard and contribute their respective quotas toward the attainment of these noble objectives.

“Nigeria’s legal system, like many around the world, faces serious challenges, ranging from inefficient justice delivery to the persistent need to curb judicial corruption and outdated laws that do not always reflect and address current realities.

“As young lawyers, you must strive to build character and establish a name for yourselves. Equip yourselves with knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act and the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers, which prohibit certain unethical conduct or practices among lawyers,” Goronyo said.

The minister cautioned young lawyers against the ‘get-rich-quick syndrome,’ advising them to harness the opportunities available within the bounds of the law to positively impact the nation’s judicial and legal communities.

“Today, we have technology at our fingertips that facilitates and streamlines case management, enhances legal research, and makes your voices easily heard by potential clients.

“This moment demands more than just knowledge and skills; it calls for vision, resilience, and a profound sense of purpose,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the summit and Chief Judge of Sokoto, Justice Saidu Sifawa, admonished the lawyers to uphold the highest level of professionalism and avail themselves of opportunities to expand their knowledge in preparation for the tasks ahead.

“The challenges young lawyers are facing today are more distressing, partly due to their relative youth in the profession. These challenges pose significant obstacles to their potential. As we gather here today, we must recognise the urgency of addressing these challenges and other issues that affect young lawyers, so we can harness our collective efforts to overcome them,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding the 8th Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto, Brig-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose urged the lawyers to use their legal knowledge to assist the less-privileged and marginalised members of society, uphold justice, and contribute to the betterment of society.

On her part, the NBA Chairman of the Sokoto branch, Rasheedat Abubakar, reaffirmed the commitment of the branch to continue supporting young lawyers in their pursuit of professional excellence and career progression through discipline and knowledge acquisition.