By Favour Chiemeria Ezeh
The Faculty of Law at the University of Benin welcomed a distinguished figure on Wednesday, the 1st of November. His Excellency, Babatunde Fashola SAN, graced the institution as a guest speaker for the annual Justice Idigbe 19th Memorial Lecture.
The former two-time governor of the state of excellence, Lagos State, is an esteemed alumnus of the University of Benin’s Faculty of Law. He is presently the second law graduate from the faculty to be honored with the title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Additionally, he served as a two-time Minister of Power, Works, and Housing between 2019 and 2023 under the former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The Memorial Lecture, entitled “Duty and Citizenship: The Social Contract,” was eloquently delivered by Babatunde Fashola, who was fully prepared for the occasion. He lauded the University, reminiscing about the fond memories he cherished from his time as a student. Professor Omoruyi, the Dean of Law, introduced him to the podium, extending a warm welcome to his alma mater and delivering a citation about the iconic guest.
Upon taking the stage, the guest speaker expressed his gratitude to the University’s management and the administrators of the Faculty of Law for organizing the event and deeming it worthy to invite him to deliver the lecture.
In his lecture series, he emphasized the need to reawaken our sense of duty and allegiance to our great nation. It served as a wake-up call for Nigerians to concentrate on what they can do for their country instead of constantly criticizing it.
In addition to his profound understanding of the Fundamental Human Rights as outlined in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he urged law students, lecturers, and professors to also consider Section 24 of the 1999 Constitution, which eloquently outlines the responsibilities expected of a law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He recommended that duties, responsibilities, and the concept of citizenship be integrated into the curriculum for Constitutional Law classes, appealing to the lecturers and professors present to seriously consider his suggestions.
The event, which began at 1 pm, attracted a star-studded audience of dignitaries from various walks of life, including:
• The guest speaker, HE Babatunde Fashola SAN
• The Honourable Attorney General of Edo State
• The Chief Judge of Edo State High Court
• The NBA Chairman, Benin Branch
• Several judges from the Edo State High Court
• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekehuan Campus, representing the University Vice-Chancellor, Lilian Salami
• Former Deans of the Faculty of Law
• Former Dean of Medicine
• Edo State Majority Leader
• Member representing Oredo West Local Government Area
• The former Minister of Budget and Planning
• A representative from the Idigbe family, and other friends of Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN.
The event also attracted other distinguished guests, friends, observers, members of the press, and a significant number of University of Benin Law undergraduates.
Following the delivery of an outstanding lecture, the guest speaker received well-wishes from the Vice Chancellor’s representative and other distinguished guests in attendance. He was subsequently presented with an award of honor for his exemplary service to the Faculty and for being a commendable ambassador of the University of Benin.
As the memorial lecture concluded, Babatunde Fashola was escorted to the Faculty of Law, where the Law Student Association of Nigeria, UNIBEN chapter, also presented him with another distinguished award. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN remains a shining light and a proud alumnus of his esteemed alma mater.
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