…As Tinubu approves new auditorium
By Emmanuella Oghenetega
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has flagged off the construction of a 600-bed student hostels for Nigerian Law School. Revealing also, the directive given by President Tinubu, to provide a new, state-of-the-art auditorium, to further enhance legal education infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wike explained that the President’s directive followed an observation that the anticipated increase in student intake occasioned by the building of the new hostel necessitated a review of the existing lecture facilities.
Wike extended commendation to the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, for his support and commitment to the justice sector, saying, “All we are doing in the justice sector today is because of his support”, and cited the ongoing digitisation of the FCT High Court as another collaborative success story that has received Presidential backing and budgetary approval.
The Minister further praised the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School for his leadership, especially for prioritizing the infrastructural needs of other campuses, such as the completed hostel and auditorium project at the Yenagoa Law School campus, stressing that history will be kind to him.
Speaking on the 600-bed hostel accommodation, Wike, noted that it is the second major intervention at the Law School within two years of the current tenure of Tinubu.
The Minister confirmed that the construction, awarded to a trusted contractor, will not exceed the 12-month timeline.
While flagging off the project, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was visibly elated, thanked the FCT Minister for his consistent support to the Nigerian Law School.
The AGF also acknowledged the Minister’s extensive history of intervention in the justice sector, even before his ministerial appointment, including feats in Yenagoa and Port Harcourt. He confirmed the judicious use of previous donations, which include four Hilux vans and three Coaster buses, in addition to the flag-off of staff quarters, and now, the 600-bed student hostel.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud offered a heartfelt vote of thanks, stating that the flag-off for the construction of both male and female student hostels is more than ceremonial, but a “testament to our shared commitment to build a structure that leaves a legacy for life”.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Director General, Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatou Ciroma (SAN), stressed that the hostel accommodation will go a long way in assisting the Nigerian Law School to fulfill its mandate and thanked President Tinubu for approving the project.
He also extended appreciation to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation for his support, while also acknowledging the significant contributions of the FCT Minister to the development of judiciary infrastructure, describing him as “our great benefactor”.
Representatives of Messrs Austlinks Energy Sources Nigeria Limited, and Messrs Markos Construction Company, contractors handling the male and female hostel projects respectively, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to the Honourable Minister of the FCT for the monumental transformation of the Territory in just two years, while appreciating the opportunity to be a part of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. They assured that the projects would be completed within 12 months.
