Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized that legal professionals hold the crucial role of upholding justice, the rule of law, and equity. He referred to lawyers as the guiding lights of hope and guardians of the constitution.
Kalu conveyed this message during a recent visit by his former classmates from the University of Calabar’s Faculty of Law, class of 1998. The visit occurred on the sidelines of the ongoing National Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja.
Reflecting on their time at the university, Kalu shared his nostalgic recollections and underscored how the institution had prepared them for their current responsibilities. He urged his fellow alumni to remain steadfast as reputable representatives of the university.
Addressing his classmates, Kalu stated, “Esteemed colleagues and dear friends, fellow alumni of the University of Calabar’s law class of 1998, I acknowledge each of you and express my gratitude for this visit. It is an honor and a pleasure to receive this courtesy call from my esteemed classmates.”
He expressed his satisfaction in seeing his long-lost classmates, acknowledging their achievements in various fields for the betterment of the nation. Kalu reminisced about the formative years they spent at the University of Calabar, marked by diligence, camaraderie, and shared aspirations of becoming legal professionals.
He credited the university for imparting not only the knowledge required to pass exams but also the values that shaped them for a future of integrity and learning. Kalu highlighted that as legal practitioners and alumni of the faculty, they bear the responsibility of upholding principles such as justice, rule of law, and equity. He urged them to be beacons of hope and guardians of the constitution.
Kalu emphasized the significance of gatherings like this, urging his fellow alumni to recommit to their shared goals and strengthen their connections. He encouraged collaborative efforts and networking among them. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of character and competence in leadership positions, transcending political affiliations, ethnicity, and religion.
Concluding his address, Kalu reassured his classmates that their bonds remain unbroken despite their individual achievements. He expressed his availability to them, whether in the past, present, or future, and envisioned a collective effort toward a brighter future for Nigeria.
In response, Kalu’s classmates, including prominent figures in the legal field, commended his brilliance and leadership abilities. They conveyed their best wishes for his tenure and pledged their support in areas where their assistance might be needed.