My Faith And Belief In Oneness Of Nigeria Has Never Been Shaken — Ngige SAN

*Says Not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s self-determination
agitation.
*Applauds Rivers Government For Offering Brand New Campus For
The Nigerian Law School
*Says NLS Receives Over 10, 000 Applications For Bar Part II
Annually

The Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Mr. Emeka Ngige, SAN,
has said that despite the insecurity, economic and ethnic
challenges facing the country, he still believes in the Oneness of
Nigeria and such belief has never been Shaken for a second.

Ngige said this during a chat with This Day
Newspaper^[1] as he
marked turned 60 on Sunday 11th July, 2021.

According to him, the challenges above constitute a passing
phase in the country’s journey to nationhood.

He said, “Specifically as to your question on whether I still
have faith in this country given the insecurity, economic and
ethnic challenges facing us, my answer is a straight ‘Yes.’ My
faith and belief in the oneness of this country, has never been
shaken for a second. All the challenges you mentioned, constitute a
passing phase in our journey to nationhood. Insecurity is a global
challenge. There is hardly any part of the world, that does not
have its own share of security challenges. Even in America – the
homestead of democracy – we read reports of violent shootings every
now and then. The epidemic of gun violence in that country, has not
made Americans question the oneness of their nation.

The menace has even become accepted as a way of life, leaving
the hapless citizens to the mercy of God. You just pray not to be
at the wrong place at the wrong time. In the West African
sub-region, the insecurity challenges we face are not restricted to
Nigeria; they are also prevalent in Ghana, Niger, Bur-kina Faso,
Chad, Sierra Leone, and some parts of Cameroun. Just Google
‘insecurity in Africa’, and you will discover that the challenge is
not restricted to Nigeria. The other day, there were public
demonstrations against rising insecurity in Ghana. Same also took
place in Burkina Faso. So, there is no basis for anyone to question
the oneness of the nation simply because we have security
challenges.

“Similarly, the economic challenge we face is al-so global. No
country in the world – in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic
– is free from economic crisis. It is also a passing phase.

“On ethnicity and its challenges, it has been with us since
independence, but we shall surely overcome it. The young generation
of Nigerians we are breeding today, are more urbane and
cosmopolitan than our own generation. With inter-tribal marriages
that have risen significantly in the country, the challenge of
ethnicity will pale into insignificance with time.”

The distinguished silk refused to comment on the rearrest of
Nnamdi Kanu but call for due process in his trial.

Furthermore, he explained that not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s
self-determination agitation.

“Because everything concerning the arrest, re-arrest and
re-arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu is now before a court of law, I
believe it is more honorable for me to refrain from commenting on
it. The only thing I wish to state is that, in line with the
provisions of our Constitution, he’s presumed innocent and is
entitled to fair trial. I will urge the prosecuting authorities to
ensure that he gets a fair trial, in line with international best
practice. Not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s self-determination
agitation.

“However, I believe that nearly every Igbo is interested in the
equitable distribution of resources, appointments and projects in
the country. It will serve us better living in a united and
progressive Nigeria, anchored on equity and fairness.” Ngige
said

On improvement of the quality of Lawyers being admitted into the
Nigerian Bar, Ngige said the Council of Legal Education is in touch
with the National Universities Commission, which is currently
reviewing the curriculum of subjects being taught at the
universities in Nigeria. He said the Council is also sourcing for
government and private sector intervention in the infrastructural
development of the Nigerian Law School.

“Like I stated earlier, no human endeavour is perfect. It is
usually a work in progress. The call for the improvement in the
quality of Lawyers being called to the Nigerian Bar, did not start
today. It has always been there with us since 1962, when the
Nigerian Law School was established. It is a work in progress. The
Council of Legal Education has from time to time, been reviewing
the curriculum of the Nigeria Law School. The last time the
curriculum was reviewed was in 2019, shortly before I came on
board. There had earlier been a comprehensive overhaul of the
curriculum during the tenure of late Hon. Justice M. O. Onalaja
(JCA) as Chairman, and Dr. Tahir Mamman as Director-General.

That was in 2008. I must also say that the task of training a
law student to become a good Lawyer, is the responsibility of all
stakeholders in the administration of justice regime. Right from
secondary school, the foundation has to be properly laid. If there
is a faulty foundation, no matter what you teach at the University
and Law School levels, the product will not be good. The Council is
in touch with the National Universities Commission, which is
currently reviewing the curriculum of subjects being taught at the
universities in Nigeria. Hopefully, in the near future, some
adjustments will be made in the curriculum. In addition, we are
also sourcing for government and private sector intervention in the
infrastructural development of the Nigerian Law School. The
infrastructural decay in the school, is very troubling. The
environment in which the students are being taught, is nothing to
be happy about.” he said

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also applauded the Rivers State
Government for offering to build a new Campus of the Nigerian Law
School in Port Harcourt. According to him, the number of aspiring
lawyers increases every year as over 10,000 applications are
received annually for Bar Part II and the capacity of the current
Campuses is 6000

He said, “Let me say that only one campus was approved in
principle, about three weeks ago. You will agree with me that as
Nigeria’s population continues to grow, the number of those
aspiring to become Lawyers will also increase proportionally.
Currently, the Nigerian Law School cannot admit all the applicants
seeking to be admitted for Bar Part 2. Annually, the Law School
receives applications from nearly 10,000 students, whereas, the
sitting capacity in the six campuses combined is roughly about
6,000. Therefore, the need to build more structures in the existing
campuses, in order to accommodate the excess 4000 need not be
over-emphasised.

The offer by the Rivers State Government to build a brand new,
state-of-the-art campus for Nigerian Law School was unanimously
accepted by the Council of Legal Education with the concurrence of
the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation, in order to help in
expanding the capacity of the institution to admit law graduates. I
think the gesture by Rivers State Government should be applauded.
Just recently, the National Universities Commission issued licenses
to about 22 private universities, and each of them was authorised
to open Faculties of Law, subject to Council of Legal Education’s
accreditation. We must therefore, be proactive in planning ahead
for the consequential increase in the number of applicants seeking
to be admitted to the Nigerian Law School.”

*Says Not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s self-determination
agitation.
*Applauds Rivers Government For Offering Brand New Campus For
The Nigerian Law School
*Says NLS Receives Over 10, 000 Applications For Bar Part II
Annually

The Chairman, Council of Legal Education, Mr. Emeka Ngige, SAN,
has said that despite the insecurity, economic and ethnic
challenges facing the country, he still believes in the Oneness of
Nigeria and such belief has never been Shaken for a second.

Ngige said this during a chat with This Day
Newspaper^[1] as he
marked turned 60 on Sunday 11th July, 2021.

According to him, the challenges above constitute a passing
phase in the country’s journey to nationhood.

He said, “Specifically as to your question on whether I still
have faith in this country given the insecurity, economic and
ethnic challenges facing us, my answer is a straight ‘Yes.’ My
faith and belief in the oneness of this country, has never been
shaken for a second. All the challenges you mentioned, constitute a
passing phase in our journey to nationhood. Insecurity is a global
challenge. There is hardly any part of the world, that does not
have its own share of security challenges. Even in America – the
homestead of democracy – we read reports of violent shootings every
now and then. The epidemic of gun violence in that country, has not
made Americans question the oneness of their nation.

The menace has even become accepted as a way of life, leaving
the hapless citizens to the mercy of God. You just pray not to be
at the wrong place at the wrong time. In the West African
sub-region, the insecurity challenges we face are not restricted to
Nigeria; they are also prevalent in Ghana, Niger, Bur-kina Faso,
Chad, Sierra Leone, and some parts of Cameroun. Just Google
‘insecurity in Africa’, and you will discover that the challenge is
not restricted to Nigeria. The other day, there were public
demonstrations against rising insecurity in Ghana. Same also took
place in Burkina Faso. So, there is no basis for anyone to question
the oneness of the nation simply because we have security
challenges.

“Similarly, the economic challenge we face is al-so global. No
country in the world – in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic
– is free from economic crisis. It is also a passing phase.

“On ethnicity and its challenges, it has been with us since
independence, but we shall surely overcome it. The young generation
of Nigerians we are breeding today, are more urbane and
cosmopolitan than our own generation. With inter-tribal marriages
that have risen significantly in the country, the challenge of
ethnicity will pale into insignificance with time.”

The distinguished silk refused to comment on the rearrest of
Nnamdi Kanu but call for due process in his trial.

Furthermore, he explained that not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s
self-determination agitation.

“Because everything concerning the arrest, re-arrest and
re-arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu is now before a court of law, I
believe it is more honorable for me to refrain from commenting on
it. The only thing I wish to state is that, in line with the
provisions of our Constitution, he’s presumed innocent and is
entitled to fair trial. I will urge the prosecuting authorities to
ensure that he gets a fair trial, in line with international best
practice. Not every Igbo believes in IPOB’s self-determination
agitation.

“However, I believe that nearly every Igbo is interested in the
equitable distribution of resources, appointments and projects in
the country. It will serve us better living in a united and
progressive Nigeria, anchored on equity and fairness.” Ngige
said

On improvement of the quality of Lawyers being admitted into the
Nigerian Bar, Ngige said the Council of Legal Education is in touch
with the National Universities Commission, which is currently
reviewing the curriculum of subjects being taught at the
universities in Nigeria. He said the Council is also sourcing for
government and private sector intervention in the infrastructural
development of the Nigerian Law School.

“Like I stated earlier, no human endeavour is perfect. It is
usually a work in progress. The call for the improvement in the
quality of Lawyers being called to the Nigerian Bar, did not start
today. It has always been there with us since 1962, when the
Nigerian Law School was established. It is a work in progress. The
Council of Legal Education has from time to time, been reviewing
the curriculum of the Nigeria Law School. The last time the
curriculum was reviewed was in 2019, shortly before I came on
board. There had earlier been a comprehensive overhaul of the
curriculum during the tenure of late Hon. Justice M. O. Onalaja
(JCA) as Chairman, and Dr. Tahir Mamman as Director-General.

That was in 2008. I must also say that the task of training a
law student to become a good Lawyer, is the responsibility of all
stakeholders in the administration of justice regime. Right from
secondary school, the foundation has to be properly laid. If there
is a faulty foundation, no matter what you teach at the University
and Law School levels, the product will not be good. The Council is
in touch with the National Universities Commission, which is
currently reviewing the curriculum of subjects being taught at the
universities in Nigeria. Hopefully, in the near future, some
adjustments will be made in the curriculum. In addition, we are
also sourcing for government and private sector intervention in the
infrastructural development of the Nigerian Law School. The
infrastructural decay in the school, is very troubling. The
environment in which the students are being taught, is nothing to
be happy about.” he said

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also applauded the Rivers State
Government for offering to build a new Campus of the Nigerian Law
School in Port Harcourt. According to him, the number of aspiring
lawyers increases every year as over 10,000 applications are
received annually for Bar Part II and the capacity of the current
Campuses is 6000

He said, “Let me say that only one campus was approved in
principle, about three weeks ago. You will agree with me that as
Nigeria’s population continues to grow, the number of those
aspiring to become Lawyers will also increase proportionally.
Currently, the Nigerian Law School cannot admit all the applicants
seeking to be admitted for Bar Part 2. Annually, the Law School
receives applications from nearly 10,000 students, whereas, the
sitting capacity in the six campuses combined is roughly about
6,000. Therefore, the need to build more structures in the existing
campuses, in order to accommodate the excess 4000 need not be
over-emphasised.

The offer by the Rivers State Government to build a brand new,
state-of-the-art campus for Nigerian Law School was unanimously
accepted by the Council of Legal Education with the concurrence of
the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation, in order to help in
expanding the capacity of the institution to admit law graduates. I
think the gesture by Rivers State Government should be applauded.
Just recently, the National Universities Commission issued licenses
to about 22 private universities, and each of them was authorised
to open Faculties of Law, subject to Council of Legal Education’s
accreditation. We must therefore, be proactive in planning ahead
for the consequential increase in the number of applicants seeking
to be admitted to the Nigerian Law School.”