RismadarVoice Reporters
June 5, 2026
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on members of the Bench and the Bar to embrace their nation-building responsibilities by upholding justice, strengthening institutions, and promoting the rule of law as essential pillars for Nigeria’s progress.
Jonathan made the call on Friday while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch’s 2026 Law Week, themed “Securing the Future: Sustainable National Asset Protection in Africa; Opportunities, Risks and Regulatory Pathways.”
Addressing participants during a plenary session, the former president stressed that the well-being and advancement of the nation depend largely on the impartiality of the judiciary, the strength of public institutions, and the integrity of societal values.
He urged legal practitioners and judicial officers to recognise their critical role in safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring that justice remains accessible to all citizens, regardless of status or influence.
According to Jonathan, the future of the country can only be secured when justice prevails over power, institutions are stronger than individuals, and legal protections are applied equally to both the powerful and the vulnerable.
He also advocated reforms in Nigeria’s post-colonial education system, arguing that the sector must be repositioned to respond effectively to contemporary challenges and the demands of a rapidly changing world.
The former president maintained that a commitment to justice, institutional integrity, and equal protection under the law would provide the foundation for a stable, equitable, and prosperous society.
