NEWS
Gavel Int’l Lecture: Fagbemi, Oyebode, Adesina Lead Conversations
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN will lead other prominent Nigerians in the legal profession, media, and academics, on discussion about how to salvage the image of the Nigerian judiciary at the 2024 Gavel International Annual Conference slated for 29 November, 2024.
The event, with the theme: “The Judiciary as the Last Hope of the Common Man: Media and Legal Perspectives” will see Fagbemi deliver the Keynote Address.
The lecture is to be chaired by Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, founder of Aluko & Oyebode Law Firm, one of Nigeria’s top law firms.
ALSO READ: Dangote Backs Tinubu’s CNG Initiative With Over $280m Investment
Oyebode also serves as Chairman of Nestle Nigeria Plc and Lafarge Africa. He also sits on the boards of EnterpriseNGR Professional Advocacy Group, Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Rele Arts Foundation. Highly disciplined, he is passionate about developing education in Nigeria, especially within the Justice system.
In addition, a former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Dele Adesina SAN will deliver the main lecture.
He is the Founder and Principal Partner, Dele Adesina LP and a Life Bencher. Adesina is an alumnus of University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife where he graduated in 1981. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982 after graduating from the Nigerian Law School. He obtained his Master of Laws Degree from the University of Lagos. A legal practitioner with over 40 years in practice, he was elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2007. He was a former member, Board of Regents, the Governing Council of Covenant University Ota and former Pro – Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti.
Adesina is a prolific writer, author, and commentator who has published two major law-oriented books – The Force of Justice (2010), and New Developments in Law and Practice in Nigeria (2018).
The Publisher of Gavel International, Mustapha Ogunsakin said the 2024 annual lecture is designed to kick off conversations on the restoration of confidence of citizens in the country’s judiciary, which appears to be at an all time low.
“During the #Endsars protests in 2020, a very major court building, the Lagos High Court, Igbosere was razed by a mob. We saw the horrendous pictures of the burnt iconic building, particularly one of the arsonists in a lawyer’s garb of wig and gown, with a machete in his hand. For me, that is very a scary imagery. We must begin to restore the hope of the common man in the judiciary especially. The alternative is anarchy,” he said.
Ogunsakin posited that the legal and media professions — saddled with direct constitutional roles in the judicial system — must take the lead in restoring confidence in the judicial system.
“While the role of the legal profession is statutory, the media has the responsibility to represent the people by covering and reporting court proceedings, except it has to do with national security or cases involving minors. That is why the constitution made provision for a public gallery in every court where journalists occupy to report cases and disseminate to the public.”
He said the faculty constituted for the lecture comprises notable lawyers, journalists, and academics who will give perspectives on the subject.
Notable among the discussants is Prof Hope Eghagha, a professor of Literature and Literary Analysis at the University of Lagos who will speak on how Nigerians currently perceive their judiciary. He will be joined by Mr. Richard Akinnola, a foremost journalist and expert in judicial reporting, Mrs. Joke Layi-Babatunde, a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Tomi Ajayi, jurist and expert in criminal law and proceedings, and Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, foremost human rights activist.
Gavel International news portal has over the years hosted lectures and conferences in pursuit of its guiding principle — Rule of Law. In 2015, Gavel International presented a book, “For the love of their Nation, Lawyers as Agents of Change in Nigeria’’ authored by the publisher, Mustapha Ogunsakin. The public presentation of this book was done by the then Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN. Others in attendance at the event include Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN, then the Attorney General of Ondo State, Chief Anthony George-Ikoli SAN, the first SAN from Bayelsa State and a former Attorney General of the State, Mr. Ade Ipaye and a host of others.
In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic raged, Gavel International hosted a stellar webinar conference, bringing together some of the most brilliant minds across the country to discuss on the topic: “Media Coverage of Virtual Court Proceedings: Prospects and Challenges. Prof. Osinbajo delivered the keynote address and was joined by others like human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN, Bode Olanipekun SAN, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, and Dr Reuben Abati to discuss the topic.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
ALSO READ: Senate Approves Abe as Chairman, NUPRC Board
The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
ALSO READ: SERAP Asks Tinubu To Probe N5.9bn Spent On NNPC Rebranding
He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
SEE MORE: Value Creation: NCDMB to train Six Young Engineers in Electrification Interdependency
Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
NCDMB, Renaissance Africa Train Pipeline Engineers
NLNG Inducts 103 Trainees Into Empowerment Scheme
NCDMB Sponsored Oracle Primavera P6 Training Underway In Rivers State
Senate Approves Abe as Chairman, NUPRC Board
Tinubu Swears in Taiwo Oyedele as Finance Minister
Burna Boy Breaks Record as Africa’s Top-Grossing Concert Artist
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
