By Ehichioya Steve Odion
The on going Nigerian Bar Association, Edo State Branch, 2021 Annual Law Week have received commendation for the quality of papers being presented by the discussants.
This commendation was made by the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Esq. who was one of the guest of honour in the event. He thanked the organizer for putting up a beautiful programme that produced quality papers from the guest speakers.
He said the theme of this year's programme focused on the present insecurity situation in Nigeria which is presently being discussed in every fora across the country.
"Security and welfare of the people is the responsibility of the government. People should know how to hold their government accountable. Security should not also be left only in the hands of the three tiers of government across the country."
He further said that everyone have a role to play in securing him or herself and fellow citizens by given the necessary information that could improved the security information to the security agencies.
Barr. Okungbowa also raised the issue of payment of tax regularly by the citizens which he said will enhance the finance of the government to fund the security agencies in securing the nation. He added that the government need enough funds to buy sophisticated arms that could March that of bandits when they engages each other.
One of the speaker at the event, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mohammed Shehu who represented the Commissioner of Police Philip Ogbadu, said the entire country today is bedevilled with insecurity with killings every where . He attributed it to poverty, unemployment and corruption. He added that the security agencies securing the country were too small in number compared to over two hundrrd million Nigerians they are securing.
He disclosed that investigation of criminals cases cost money and therefore advocated for more funds for the security agents to carry out their work effectively.
He also called for special training to eliminate ego amongst the security agencies, so that they can concentrate on their work, instead of showing superiority among each other.
Another speaker at the event who's topic centred on national security in Nigeria and the economic development of the country, Prof. Job Odion, said when there is national security there will be national stability and economic development of the country. He said this can enhance food security that will make the people to have access to the basic things in life. "With all these there will be no violence and other vices in the society"
Prof. Odion said as lawyers if the law is properly regulated in all sectors of the economy that there would be less violence, less unrest and criminality that can bring stability, food and economic security in the country.
Continuing, the guest speaker said as a teacher his research should not be politics and religion always. He said there was need to divert to business aspect as well. He further said that he has realised that when it comes to finance in the country the leaders usually speak with one voice in respective of religion. He advice the leaders to also see business in that perspective.
He said among the farmers and the herders they supposed to work together. "The genuine herders want to come to the southern Nigeria because of the green leaves they have there and sell their cow back to the people for consumption. The criminals among the herders are giving them bad name. But they can equally be fished out for prosecution while the government find a way to resolve their frequent clashes."
Another speaker, Mrs. Suzzie Oyakhaire from the Faculty of Law, Uniben, who reprensented Prof. (Mrs) Violet Aigbokaibho, Dean, Faculty of law Uniben, said the law week is about insecurity, adding that it is something that effects all. She opined that lawyers as non State actors need to cooperate with the State actors as activist defense lawyer prosecutors. She however said she understand the economic challenges and political issues that s the role of lawyers of fully implementing what will counter insecurity in the state. We must join hands with the State actors in Nigeria to counter the insecurity, she concluded.
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