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CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN DELIVERS KEYNOTE SPEECH AT THE OPENING CEREMONY & BAR & BENCH FORUM SESSION OF THE 2023 LAW WEEK OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, GWAGWALADA BRANCH (THE EAGLE BAR)

On Monday, December 4, 2023, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN delivered a Keynote Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Gwagwalada Branch.

The Learned Silk, ably represented by Mr. Chidera Mgbe (Senior Associate, J-K Gadzama LLP), delivered his speech on the theme, “Elevating Justice: Law and the Legal Profession in Nigeria’s National Rebirth”. While delivering his speech the Renowned Silk noted that Nigeria has suffered immeasurable setbacks and is grappling with various developmental challenges. He further stated that rather than sweeping these numerous problems under the carpet, there is an urgent need for a national rebirth, to set the nation on course to regain and eventually surpass its past glory.

In his concluding remarks, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN stated that in the face of endemic corruption, debilitating facilities, terrorism, unemployment, monumental poverty, anarchy, slow economic development, amongst other woes of our dear nation; we must remain optimistic of the possibility of a renaissance.

Indeed it was an intense yet insightful speech in the light of current realities in Nigeria. The Learned Silk ended his speech with the wise words of Martin Luther King Jr., “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

ELEVATING JUSTICE: LAW AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN NIGERIA’S NATIONAL REBIRTH

BEING THE KEYNOTE SPEECH By Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, MFR, SAN, FNIALS, FICMC, DiplCArb, FCIArb, FNICArb, C.Arb. (Of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister/Life Bencher/Certified Mediator/Regulatory Consultant)
Shettima Ilmuye of Borno, Sardauna of Uba, Okwuluora of Ukpo & Bobajiro of Akure Kingdom, Founding Principal Partner, J-K Gadzama LLP At the
Opening Ceremony and Bar & Bench Forum Session of the 2023 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Gwagwalada Branch On Monday, the 4th day of December, 2023

“The road to national rebirth is a hard one, but there is no other.”
– Aaron David Miller

1.0 PROTOCOL

2.0 INTRODUCTION
It is my pleasure to be a part of this auspicious event which marks the Opening Ceremony and Bar & Bench Forum Session of the 2023 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Gwagwalada Branch (The Eagle Bar). The theme is indeed spectacular; “Elevating Justice: Law and the Legal Profession in Nigeria’s National Rebirth”.

I acknowledge and commend the efforts of the Executive Council of the Branch and the organizers of the 2023 Law Week for their dexterity in putting the event together as well as their choice of theme which I consider apt and insightful.

Undoubtedly, our dear nation, Nigeria, has suffered immeasurable setbacks. As a developing country, Nigeria is plagued by several legal, political, economic and social ills and is still grappling with various developmental challenges. Rather than sweeping these numerous problems under the carpet or vaguely wishing them away, there is an urgent need for a national rebirth, to set the nation on course to regain and eventually surpass its past glory.

In view of the fact that a democratic society like ours thrives on the rule of law, the law and legal profession would, undoubtedly, play an indispensable role in facilitating our nation’s rebirth. As custodians of the law, legal practitioners and judicial officers are expected to enhance strict implementation of the rule of law, as it prevents impunity in any society, encourages societal stability and drives societal revolution. This serves to strengthen the nation’s institutions and restores the nation’s core values as enshrined in our Constitution, which in turn will lead to lasting emancipation from our countless societal ills. The optimum performance of the key roles of the law and the legal profession will elevate and enhance justice in our nation, thereby fostering the much-needed and long-awaited renaissance in Nigeria.

3.0 CONCEPTUALIZATION OF KEYWORDS
The term “rebirth” has been defined to mean a renaissance; a revival ; a period of new life, growth or activity ; a change that leads to a new period of growth and improvement in something ; when something becomes alive again after dying; a new period of growth of something, or a time when something that was popular in the past becomes popular again.

National Rebirth refers to the regeneration of a battered country to improve the standard of living of the nation. It also means the renaissance, reawakening or resurgence of a nation. The initiative of national rebirth also refers to remodelling of the state which define or redefine the driving rules and principles of political pluralism, the role of the state, citizenship rights and duties, protection of fundamental human rights, including socio-economic rights and so on. It can be seen as a change that leads to a new period of growth and improvement in a country or given society.

National rebirth is a national shift or movement from the known attitude, beliefs, and feelings towards a particular issue. National rebirth can also be defined as the regeneration of a battered nation to an improved nation in all aspects. It can also mean national transformation which is viewed as a profound and radical innovation and metamorphosis that aligns an institution or state in a new direction and takes it to a completely different level of efficiency and effectiveness.

4.0 THE URGENT NEED FOR NATIONAL REBIRTH AS A PANACEA FOR NIGERIA’S CURRENT PREDICAMENT
There appears to be widespread concerns that something fundamental is wrong with Nigeria as presently constituted, not only in terms of perceived political marginalisation, but also in terms of socio-economic exclusion and ensuring justice in all spheres. Few, there are, who maintain that nothing is wrong with Nigeria and that all that is required is attitudinal change on the part of the political leadership. For many, Nigeria simply needs a rebirth, a fundamental rebirth. While there appears to be widespread consensus about the need for a rebirth, there is a lack of consensus on the type of rebirth and the process of bringing about the desired change.

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