Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has called on legal practitioners in Nigeria to prioritize justice, emphasizing that no nation can progress without it. Otu made the remarks during the launch of the Johnny Agim, SAN Foundation (JASAN Foundation), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in Abuja on Friday night.
The JASAN Foundation, founded by Johnny Agim, SAN, Lead Counsel of Legal Assent, aims to address the challenges faced by young lawyers, enhance legal education, and improve the administration of justice. It is built on three key pillars: mentorship, sponsorship for indigent lawyers, and legal service reforms with a focus on public interest advocacy.
Governor Otu stressed the importance of proper training and mentorship for legal practitioners, noting that a lack of these could lead to the misapplication of justice. “When legal professionals are not properly trained or mentored, justice can be misled. But where there is justice, there is peace and happiness,” Otu said.
He praised Johnny Agim for his noble initiative and urged Nigerians to support the foundation. Otu also highlighted the mentorship gap in various professions across the country, which he said has hindered national progress.
“It is not just the legal profession; the lack of mentorship exists in other fields too, disrupting our nation’s development. Any nation that fails to pass down knowledge and experience cannot go far,” Otu remarked, expressing hope that other professionals would follow the example set by the JASAN Foundation.
