By Sodiq Adelakun

In a remarkable achievement, nine alumni of the Lagos State University (LASU) Faculty of Law have been appointed judges of the Lagos High Court.

This historic feat was announced by the institution on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, revealing that the nine are part of the 13 judges recently appointed to the Lagos State High Court.

According to LASU, this is the highest number of alumni appointed as judges at a given time, a testament to the institution’s commitment to producing exceptional legal professionals.

The newly appointed judges will bring their expertise and knowledge to the Lagos High Court, contributing to the fair administration of justice in the state.

According to the statement, the number is the highest ever recorded at a given time by the institution.

The statement read partly, “The alumni include Hon. Justice Sunmonu Tunde Bashiru, Hon. Justice Alebiosu Olawale Lawal, Hon. Justice Anjorin-Ajose Tanimola Abdulwaheed, Hon. Justice Muyodeen Abdul-Raheem Tejumade, Hon. Justice George Alfred Akingbola, Hon. Justice Balogun Adegboyega Ganiu, Hon. Justice Badejo-Okusanya Yewande Jokotola, Hon. Justice Ojuromi Nalirat Olayinka Oluwatosin and Hon. Justice Adewale Russel Musiliu.

“The nine were part of the 13 judges recently appointed into the Lagos State High Court, a feat made more remarkable by the fact that the number is the highest ever recorded from the university at any given time in history.”

While congratulating the new judges, Vice Chancellor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello remarked that being appointed to such a prestigious position is no small achievement.

“It is a testament to their hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to the noble profession of law, as well as their significant contributions to the Lagos State judiciary.”

Olatunji-Bello credited the judges’ accomplishments to the strong foundation of excellence at the university’s Faculty of Law, which helped shape their careers. She urged them to uphold the highest standards and serve with integrity and the fear of God in their new roles.

Two survivors of the 2014 Boko Haram abduction of 276 girls in Chibok, Nigeria, have graduated from tertiary institutions in the United States.

Patience Bulus and Mercy Ali Paul, who were among the girls kidnapped by the terrorist group, have successfully completed their studies in the US, thanks to scholarships from the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) and Victims Support Fund.

Patience graduated from Dickinson College with a major in Gender Studies and Religion, while Mercy earned an Associate Degree in Social Science from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).

The two women’s journey to graduation was made possible through a partnership between MMF and VSF, which provided full scholarships and personal growth opportunities to the rescued Chibok girls, enabling them to pursue higher education at renowned universities in the US.

Patience’s academic achievements were further recognised with her induction as an Honorable Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success at Dickinson College in 2021.

Meanwhile, Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, the founder and chief executive officer of Murtala Muhammed Foundation speaking at Patience’s graduation in Carlisle Pennsylvania, USA, said, “The abduction of 276 schoolgirls 10 years ago from their boarding school signalled the urgency of action to secure education for girls in Nigeria.

“As an organisation with a vision to advance positive education and social outcomes for women, we celebrate Patience and Mercy’s achievements today as a powerful example of resilience and their determination not to be defined by the past but focused on the future.

“Many more girls in Chibok and other conflict-affected communities deserve this opportunity so today we are calling for immediate action at the local and global levels to enable access to quality education and build self-reliance in conflict-affected communities.”

Muhammed-Oyebode pointed out that with 91 girls in captivity, many of the Chibok schoolgirls have returned as mothers. She frowned at the fact that rape, coercion, and extremism are often weapons of war; hence she said that the need to protect women and girls must not be ignored.

“Sexual slavery/reproductive health is at heightened risk in conflict zones,” she noted.

Sharing their inspirational journey to completing their education, Mercy Ali Paul said, “Graduating feels like a dream I never thought would come true. Ten years ago, I was just hoping to survive the nightmare of abduction.

“Each moment I spent with Boko Haram was filled with fear and uncertainty, but my faith kept me strong. I finally escaped and became determined to reclaim my life after that.

“I knew education was the key to rebuilding my future, and now with this diploma, I feel empowered. My journey has been challenging, but the support from my family, friends, and sponsoring organisations from Nigeria made it possible.

“I hope my story inspires other girls in Nigeria and around the world to never give up, no matter how dark their circumstances may seem.”

Patience Bulus said, “Walking across this stage today is more than just receiving a diploma; it’s a testament to resilience and hope. Ten years ago, Boko Haram tried to take away our futures, but they couldn’t take away our dreams.

“Today, that I graduate with a degree from a prestigious college, is not just for myself, but for the countless girls who are yet to make it out. This achievement is dedicated to them and the power of community support.

“The encouragement and resources provided by sponsors in Nigeria and others here in the U.S. made this possible. I am excited to use my education to advocate for girls’ rights and education worldwide. Today is proof that with perseverance and support, we can overcome even the most harrowing experiences.”

Meanwhile, ten years after the Chibok abduction incident, insecurity and mass kidnappings in Nigeria are on the rise, causing widespread devastation and posing a significant threat to the economy.

Recent kidnappings underscore the persistent danger faced by young people in conflict zones. These young people urgently need support, including access to education, security, and livelihood restoration.

Strengthening Nigeria’s education system is essential for empowerment, economic progress, and inclusive growth. With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally.

By Jeleel Olawale

Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) has Sunday, called on Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency show serious commitment in fighting corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of the citizenry in the country by being accountable and transparent in the business of the government, saying those found culpable should be made to face the wrath of the law.

The association made the call at a Press Conference addressed by its National President, Engr. Mohammed Buari, held at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife (OAU), at the end of the 2024 National Reunion Conference with the theme; ‘’Equal Opportunities for Prosperity in Changing Nigeria’s Consumption-Based Economy to a Service and Production-Based Economy.”

Engr. Mohammed Buari, the National President of the association said, failure of leadership in Nigeria has caused the nation a lot of challenges.

“We have witnessed civil strife, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, corruption, economic comatose, political rascality and social disorder on the increase.”

He noted that series of security crises we are witnessing in the country is due largely to insensitivity on the part of our leaders, inadequate intelligence gathering on the part of the security agencies all of which constitute a great challenge to good governance and a threat to democracy and economic growth in the country.

Speaking on the roles played by the association, Mohammed said, the Association has given scholarships and grants to 118 OAU undergraduate and postgraduate students at a cost of N11.5 million as part of its welfare gesture to the students on campus, adding that the association has disbursed over N60 million to 1168 students of the Institution.

The association bemoans the continued marginalisation of South-West Muslims by denying them access to political offices, appointment to government establishments including university appointments using various weapons of oppression and intimidation.

“Since Nigeria is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society, efforts should be geared towards upholding the letter and spirit of the principle of Federal Character without sacrificing merit in all governmental affairs and appointments,” he said.

“The Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration is supposed to reset Nigeria’s economic advancement and ease the burden of hardship on the citizenry; but thus far, the selfish activities of saboteurs and insensitivity of our leaders made the last one year a tough one for everybody.

The effects of the removal of petrol subsidy and floating of the Naira on the prices of foodstuffs, goods and services almost paralysed the nation, hence, the need for the nation to think out of the box and come up with a service and production – based economy.

“All elected and appointed leaders should be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the citizenry and embrace good governance, fairness and justice to all as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria and make the fear of Allah their watchword, in order to forestall uprising in Nigeria.

“All the three tiers of government in Nigeria should ensure that the lives and property of all the citizens of the country are secured. This is important, as it is only when there is national security that development and economic growth can take place,” he declared.

Mohammed stressed that the private sector should as a matter of urgency partner with the government for the education of Nigerians especially to address all the Infrastructural deficit in our institutions of learning.

“Employment opportunities should be given to teeming unemployed Nigerian youths who are being used as instruments of violence by some selfish and unpatriotic individuals.

“We condemn in strong terms the terrorist acts in some parts of the country, mob actions, jungle and selective killings of innocent Nigerians, and we advise the Federal Government to avoid the present stereotype of pigeon-holing it as a religious issue. It is more of a political, ethnic and economic issue.”

The association recommends the Islamic concept of leadership which is rooted in the institutionalization of principles of integrity, honesty and competency rather than patronages.

It urged all Nigerian leaders as well as all Nigerians to live in peace and harmony, learn to tolerate one another, be fair to all and remember that injustice breeds uprising and violent acts.

The association also had its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where its activities in the past one year were reviewed, and appointed a new set of National Executive Council led by Alhaji Mohammed Buari following the expiration of the tenure of the former National Executive Council.