4TH ANNUAL FOUNDATION LECTURE EPIPHANY AZINGE FOUNDATION

SECURITY AND FORENSIC STUDIES NIGERIA MEDIA REPORT

ON

4^TH ANNUAL FOUNDATION LECTURE

EPIPHANY AZINGE FOUNDATION

THEME: OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY.

          The event was held at Shehu Musa Yar-Adua Centre, Abuja. On the 13^th November, 2019. It was attended by some dignitaries amongst whom the Speaker, House of Representative Federal Republic of Nigeria RT. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Justice C. C. Nweze, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Prof. Demola Popola (Ph.D), Prof Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan (Ph.d) , Prof Ayo Atsenuwa (Ph.D), Prof Dakas C. J. Dakas (SAN, Ph.D), Prof Epiphany Azinge (OON, SAN, FNIALS) founder, EPIPHANY AZINGE FOUNDATION.

          Arrival and recognition of dignitaries by the M.C of the occasion, introduction of personalities, National anthem and opening prayer.

Guest Lecturer Justice C.C. Nweze and other dignitaries on the high table.

 

Prof. Epiphany Azinge on his remark speech (OON, SAN, FNIALS)

Welcome remark by the founder of EPIPHANY AZINGE FOUNDATION in person of Prof. Azinge Epiphany (OON, SAN, FNIALS) followed by an opening remark by Chief Wale Olanipekun (Chairman of the Occasion) who talked briefly on the foundation and how it impact knowledge on individuals and also a brief history/bio of the Guest Lecturer Justice C.C. Nweze.

Chief Wole-Olanipekun (SAN) Chairman of the Occasion

Lecture presentation by Hon Justice C.C. Nweze JSC, Ph.D on Nigeria 40 years of engagement with fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy. With the lucid style and language depicting many years of experience and interest in Nigeria’s constitutional history and process, Hon Justice C.C. Nweze JSC, Ph.D reflects on the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy in the Nigeria constitution and its symbolic significance for the Nigerian state.  

 

Justice C.C. Nweze (Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria)

Guest Lecturer

He briefly talked about 

Ø Origin of the Fundamental Objectives and Directives Principles

Ø Theoretical Foundation of Social-economic rights: Imperatives for Justiciability.

Ø Emerging Issues relating to the implementation of Socio-economic Rights across Selected African Countries. (The countries are South Africa and Nambia on the Southern tip of the continent. Others are Uganda, in East Africa and Ghana in West Africa.

Ø He also gave a word on Socio-economic Rights Enforcement in Nigeria. He further stated that the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) has commendably risen to the challenge of holding Nigeria liable for infringement of the socio-economic rights.

In lieu of conclusion, As scholars have noted, the steady decline of life expectancy in Nigeria and the continuous plummeting of the citizenry into extreme poverty vindicate the need for a different approach to be adopted in resource allocation and resource management across the country.

          Prof. Damola Popola Ph.D who is one of the facilitators stated that “We live in perilous time but Nigeria is not a failed project”.

Prof. Demola Popola Ph.D (Facilitator)

Prof. Dakas C. J. Dakas (SAN, Ph.D) payed tribute to Prof Azinge Epiphany (OON, SAN, FNIALS) who’s birthday is also today and also payed tribute to the Guest Lecturer Justice C.C. Nweze. Prof Dakas C. J. Dakas who also talked about the chapter 2 of Nigeria Constitution of Fundamental Objectives.

Prof. Dakas C. J. Dakas (SAN, Ph.D) (Facilitator)

Prof Muhammed Tawfiq  who is against the chorus and appealed with the young lawyers, Professors, Judiciary not to hide behind Chapter 2 “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended in chapter 2 provides for Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which substantially contains socio-economic rights. The Constitution in section 6(6)(c) declared chapter 2 as non-justiciable” and says it should not stand on its own.

The lecture and remarks was followed by cultural entertainment and musical interlude. Chairman’s closing remarks, vote of thanks, closing prayer, National Anthem and informal engagement continue.

During the informal engagement Security and Forensic Media Team were able to interview some of the special guest of honor such as Dr. Ubochioma Wiseman, House of Assembly Member Hon (Bar.) Victor Aknde and one of the sons of the Founder, Epiphany Azinge Foundation Mr. Alisa Azinge. Dr. Ubochioma Wiseman who was interviewed first says he got to know about Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria few days ago and according to him, one does not need to be informed or lectured to know about the security challenges we have in the country today and advised that systematic effort should be made towards solving the problem. Dr. Ubochioma Wiseman emphasized that Nigeria as a country cannot progress as expected without addressing the current insecurity in Nigeria.

Furthermore, Dr. Ubochioma Wiseman declared that issues of security in the country concerns everybody either you are a lawyer, doctor, media practitioners etc. if security facilities are not provided then security problems are liable to surface. According to him, “In my own little way I have been able to highlight papules about the need for security on how to guide themselves first and even help the security personals to address some security challenges”.   

Interview with Dr. Ubochioma Wiseman

Mr. Alisa Azinge who briefly talked about Prof. Epiphany Azinge who was born into a prominent Asaba family and he made his early mark as a student of law. He graduated from the university of lagos state in 1976 with a Second Class Upper Division. He was called to the Bar in 1980. His thirst for the academia began as a lecturer at the University of Benin. He currently hold an elected position of the Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal sitting in London, where he represents Nigeria and Africa as a whole. He made us understand that Prof Azinge was also very passionate about immortalizing great scholars of our time. Prof. Epiphany Azinge who is happily married to Dr. (Mrs) Valerie Azinge with five kids.

Mr. Alisa Azinge

Azinge Friends and Family

This day, we celebrate this five-star legal scholar as he celebrates his birthday and 4^th Annual Foundation Lecture.

Congratulation Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the Okilolo of Asaba.

Reported by: Security and Forensic Media.