The Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, says lawyers are beacons of hope and guardians of the constitution.
He said that as legal practitioners, they have the responsibility of upholding the principle of justice, rule of law and equity.
Hon. Kalu made the submissions when his former classmates from the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State in 1998, paid him a courtesy visit on the sideline of the ongoing National conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.
The deputy speaker who recalled their days in the school with nostalgia said that the university prepared them for the present tasks.
He enjoined his mates to remain true and worthy ambassadors of the Institution.
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“My dear friends and esteemed colleagues, fellow Alumni of university of Calabar, law class, 1998. I recognize all of you, I want to thank you all for this visit, it’s an honour and pleasure to have my dear classmates pay me this courtesy call. What you have done today shows that I’m a prophet with honor in my constituency. In politics you see a lot of dirty muds thrown at you. One of those was that I didn’t go to school. I’m sure you must have read it severally. And I like the lines used by the class Rep. It says, those in doubt should come and see us.”
“Some of the values that they gave to us while undergoing our training to become lawyers didn’t just prepare us to pass exams but prepared us for the future, not to be found wanting in character and learning.
“We as legal professionals and alumni of this esteemed faculty, we have a responsibility to uphold the principles of justice and rule of law and equity. We must serve as beacons of hope and guardians of our constitution.”
He urged them to use the opportunity of the visit to foster collaborations and networking amongst them.
“The senate President and myself are worthy ambassadors, likewise my Chief of Staff, and immediate past Deputy minority leader, Hon. Toby Okechukwu. To add to what you just said that we don’t discriminate, he’s of the People’s Democratic party, PDP. And he’s the Chief of Staff.
“We are living in a nation where character, competence should be the defining factors on who occupies a position. Not just the colors of your political party, the sound of your tongue, your tribe or religion. It should be you and what you bring to the table for the growth of our nation.
“We must do all it takes to preserve the integrity and dignity of that great institution. In this age of technology. Staying connected to each other is easier than ever before, I encourage each one of you to exchange contact information, keep in touch and share your insights and experiences, advise and proposals.
“Let me encourage us to remember our roots. We should not allow our new heights to deny us the opportunity of being mates. Whether I become a governor tomorrow or a president, you will still be my mates.”
Earlier in their separate remarks, some of Kalu’s classmates including the chairman of NBA, Calabar branch, Barr. Nsikkak Ikpeme; Barr. Onyete Efenji Olelewe; former Abia State Commissioner for Youths, Barr. Charles Ezeonu; Sole Administrator, Ihitte Uboma Local Government Council, Imo State, Barr. Uche Okonkwo who was the class representative of class ’98; Barr. Patrick Kazie Nwachukwu; the chairman, NBA, Ogoja branch, Barr. Lazarus Undie testified to his brilliance and the leadership skills showcased early in life.
While praying for a successful tenure, the lawyers pledged to support the deputy speaker in areas he might need their assistance.
