By Abah Adah, Abuja
The Director General of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Professor Mohammed Tawfiq Ladan, Hubert Humphrey Fellow, USA, has admonished graduating students of Law of University of Ghana, Legon, to be resilient in the pursuit of innovative knowledge which would keep them abreast of new developments and position them as problem solvers in today’s complex, knowledge-based global economy.
The Law icon gave the advice in his address as the Guest Speaker at the graduation ceremony of the University of Ghana, Legon, at the weekend, hinting of the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead and how they strive to keep their head up.
He said, “Allow me to express my profound gratitude to the management of the University of Ghana, Legon, through the able leadership of the Provost of the College of Humanities and the Dean, School of Law for finding me worthy of invitation to be the Guest Speaker today. To the Graduands, I share in your pride and Joy and that is why I quickly accepted the invitation to be here without hesitation.
“My heartfelt congratulations to you all and your families as well as the distinguished legal scholars led by your eminent Dean of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, who prepared you for today’s momentous milestones in life. I speak to you today as someone who, in 1986 (38 years ago) was once also a newly graduating law student (LLB) and (LLM) in 1990 and PhD in 1997.
“As such, I remember being filled with a mixture of excitement and optimism but also, at the same time, like some of you today perhaps, a sense of anxiety at the challenges ahead. While LLB is a minimum entry point to your legal career, LLM is always of added advantage and PhD is a terminal degree that widens your horizon and puts you on a more comfortable stance in a competitive global market over your peers.
“The challenges of navigating the Job Market and Managing the transition from student life to the life of a working professional in a disruptive, digital, creative and knowledge-based global economy should not be underestimated. Notwithstanding these challenges, because law is a problem-solving tool and the legal profession is a dynamic one you are well placed therefore to adapt to new developments and flourish in the modern world.”
He urged them never to quit over hurdles on their way as they enter the next face of their life, using himself as an example. “So I dreamt big and high beyond the sky, like an eagle bird knowing that Law is an evolving subject and the legal profession is a dynamic one that is full of choices and limitless promises.
“Hence, recognise that our education in law, and life, is a long term and ever continuing process. When you have a dream to realize, you will face a lot of challenges in life. But, never give up, withdraw or allow yourself to be limited by anything. You must strategically overcome them with a sense of optimism, humility, diligence, commitment and audacity of hope” he said.
Mentoring them further, Prof. Ladan tasked the young graduands on using the legal education gained as a strategic framework to solve complex relationships or socio-economic and political challenges facing nations or humanity in general.
Continuing, he said, “Second, take a cue from the attitude of an eagle bird in problem solving and grabbing opportunities due to the following reasons:-
“It enables you to keep your vision right, remain consistently focus in life, and let the sky bow to your sheer determination to succeed, your preparedness to grab every opportunity that comes your way and turn both your dreams and opportunity into a positive outcome that benefits humanity, your nation and community.
“It prepares you to be a multi-tasking problem solver using the guiding Principles of Fairness, Justice, Equity, Equality and Truthfulness etc, embedded in your legal education and the knowledge of every aspect of law, such that you become the VOICES for Justice, Fairness, Equity, Equality before the Law and Equal Protection of the Law; It further prepares you to be creative/innovative in finding legal solutions to challenges facing your Community/Nation/Humanity in whatever future capacity you find yourselves.
“So always keep an open mind and be ready to question your own conclusions in order to test them. And know when to admit you are wrong.
“Third, finally, give back to your community by making a difference:- As you prosper in future, show gratitude for your good fortune by giving back to your community in kind or cash or time or by motivating or mentoring others for a more prosperous and secured society.
Professor Ladan’s impressive credentials and achievements in the field of law, including his 37 years of experience, 16 authored law books, and consultancy services to various international organizations, underscore his expertise and qualifications to offer guidance to the graduating law students