The past governor of Sokoto said the factors responsible for the country’s “nauseating” state of affairs are multifarious including corruption, economic inequality, inefficient political institutions, and poor democratic culture among others.
Tambuwal made the remark at the 2023 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja branch also known as Unity Bar where he discussed Nigeria’s peculiar challenges and the role of legal practitioners in reforming her socio-political economy.
He said, “The fact that Nigeria is richly blessed with human and material resources is no longer in the realm of debate and so is the reality that the country has refused, neglected, or utterly failed to harness these enormous resources”.
Nonetheless, the Senator, who is also a lawyer by training, noted that members of the profession have contributed immensely to society in various ways.
He further expressed hopes in the strength of the legal practitioners to come up with necessary solutions to the country’s socio-political and economic challenges.
“Besides their critical role through direct participation in government and governance as functionaries, legal professionals in private practice at the Bar play enormous roles in the administration of justice, promote the rule of law as social activists, offer of services through the Legal Aid Council through the offer of pro bono services to the less privileged members of the society, conflict resolution in the community, Ombudsman among others.”
While stating that lawyers as social engineers have over the years played impactful roles through governmental and non-governmental institutions in reforming Nigeria’s socio-political economy, he charged them to do more, adding that “society expects no less of them”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the 2023 Law Week Organizing Committee, Moses Ebute, SAN, noted that the annual event serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, meaningful discussions, and fostering a greater understanding of the legal landscape.
The senior lawyer added that this year’s theme: The Crucial Role of Legal Professionals in Reforming Nigeria’s Socio-Political Economy”, is both timely and relevant, especially considering the ongoing challenges and opportunities faced by Nigeria in its socio-political and economic development.
