The recently constructed Faculty of Law structure at Newgate University Minna (NUM), Niger State, is named for the late Justice Idris Kutigi, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), while the Legacy Library honours the late Justice Mu’azu Mohammed, a former Chief Judge (CJ) of Niger State.
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger said “the law faculty is not just an ordinary department of the institution, but a centre of learning where minds will be shaped, ideas will be complemented and course of justice passed from one generation to another.”
This was said by the governor in his keynote address over the weekend at the faculty of law complex’s commissioning ceremony held on the university’s Minna campus.
The two former legal luminaries created a lasting impression on the nation’s legal environment by opening the door for later generations of legal thinkers, according to Bago, who was represented by Commissioner for Tertiary Education Abdullahi Mammagi.
He claims that Newgate University has persisted in being a shining example of education, encouraging learning, critical thinking, and adherence to moral principles.
He said: “As we commission this complex, let us remember that education empowers individuals and communities leading to a brighter future.”
Bago commended the university, its faculty, and staff for their hard work and devotion to the state’s educational progress.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of NUM, Prof Sadiq Yusuf, had explained that the university named the Faculty of Law complex after Kutigi, the 11th CJN, who exemplified the highest standards of integrity, wisdom and commitment to justice.
He made the observation that Kutigi’s legacy was felt not just inside Niger’s legal community but also across the nation.
“The Law library is dedicated to Mohammad for his pioneering efforts and unwavering dedication to the cause of justice, which laid the foundation for the legal system in Niger,” the VC said.
Hassan Nuhu, the Pro-Chancellor and founder of NUM, said that the Kutigi family’s contributions not only demonstrated their dedication to education and showed compassion for humanity, but also aided in realising the institution’s mission.
“The library, now boasting some of the finest collections in the field of Law, serves as a beacon of education, offering our students and researchers a reservoir of information that will undoubtedly shape their legal acumen and contribute to the advancement of legal scholarship within our nation,” Nuhu said.
The late judges’ families expressed gratitude to the university administration for the honour bestowed upon them.