The Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, NSUK, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, has urged law students to prioritise integrity, professional ethics and accountability, stressing that legal education must go beyond academic qualifications to prepare them for the responsibilities of the legal profession.
Liman gave the charge at the Faculty of Law’s end-of-year dinner in Keffi, where the faculty honoured Dr Hassan Muhammad Liman, the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria from Nasarawa State, for his contributions to the legal profession.
The event, with the theme “The Silk and Seed,” featured the presentation of an Honorary Award of Excellence to Dr Liman in recognition of his professional accomplishments and contributions to the development of legal practice.
A statement by the Information and Protocol Unit of the university said the Vice-Chancellor also received an Award of Excellence at the ceremony.
Liman congratulated the honouree and commended the Faculty of Law for organising the event, noting that its theme reflected the importance of excellence, transparency, accountability, justice and fairness in legal practice.
She described Dr Liman, who is the First Gentleman of NSUK, as a dependable partner whose intellectual contributions, support and guidance continue to inspire the university community, particularly the Faculty of Law.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the students to learn from the honouree’s professional accomplishments, exemplary conduct and commitment to the legal profession, emphasising the need for them to develop the ethical values and sense of responsibility required of future legal practitioners.
She maintained that legal education should not be limited to acquiring academic qualifications but must also instil integrity, sound judgment and a commitment to upholding justice.
Responding, Dr Hassan Muhammad Liman, also known as Wakilin Lafian Beri-Beri, expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Law for the recognition and commended its members for their dedication to teaching and mentoring aspiring legal practitioners.
Liman charged the students to uphold the laws, ethical standards and professional values governing legal practice, reminding them that the privilege of joining the Bar comes with significant responsibilities to society and the administration of justice.
While delivering a keynote address, Matthew Bukaah, SAN, congratulated the honouree and acknowledged his contributions to advancing the legal profession in Nigeria and beyond.
Bukaah also commended Dr Liman’s mentorship and guidance, urging the students to emulate his professional accomplishments and conduct.
He further encouraged them to explore the application of artificial intelligence in legal practice to improve efficiency and contribute to strengthening the administration of justice.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Habiba Musa; Mrs Justina Alkali; and Mr Ishaka Mudi Dikko, who congratulated the honouree and acknowledged his contributions to the growth and development of the legal profession.
The event attracted personalities from the legal profession, academia, politics and traditional institutions, as well as students, family members and friends of the honouree.
Highlights included the presentation of awards to Dr Liman and Professor Liman, the unveiling of the Faculty of Law magazine and a group photograph to mark the occasion.
