Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has commissioned the Effigy of Justitia of the College of Law, Chrisland University, Abeokuta.

Recall that few weeks ago, CEOAFRICA reported that the Nigerian University Commission, NUC, approved the College of Law, Chrisland University to commence the academic program of Law of the ivory tower. The presence of the effigy of Justitia thus signals the spirit of the law and justice in the College to begin with as it is the custom in any place where Law is taught or dispensed.

While presenting her address, during the unveiling ceremony, the VC, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola thanked her Excellency, for always being there for the Institution every time the need arises and that her demeanor towards the institution has been very friendly. She averred that incidentally, this is the first time that Her Excellency will be visiting Chrisland University, a milestone visit which is to the College of Law.

The VC gave a brief background about the journey so far as regards Chrisland University. She said “Chrisland University started six years ago, precisely in 2016 by the foremost educationist and Chancellor; High Chief Dr. Mrs. Awosika Winnifred (OON), having run Chrisland Group of Schools for forty five years in a row.

The University started with just two Colleges but today, we have four Colleges which include the College of Law which was approved few weeks ago”.

Speaking further on the rationale behind the commissioning of the Effigy of Justitia, Prof Babalola disclosed that the commissioning of the effigy of Justitia today is part of the brief of Chrisland University for the establishment of the College of Law in the University. Wherever you find the effigy, she said “it signifies the belief and promotion of the rule of law, dispensing of justice, its enforcement, respect and obligation.

So, it is the commencement of the journey towards producing 21st century Lawyers who will be out in the society to dispense Justice.

“Our standard is to train and expose them to start doing these even before they graduate; that is why we have the Law Clinic alongside the mini Court where they will handle cases, learn justice and fairness and dispense the rule of law.

Our lecturers will be Lawyers with specific specialties. Learning in the College will be active and problem solving based.

With the training and exposure in Entrepreneurship and innovation that Chrisland University will equip the students with, lawyers that will be so produced in Chrisland University will be able to set up their own Law firm”, she added.

VC called the attention of the Deputy Governor to the need to assist the University to make the road that passes in front of it, safer for road users, and to stem down the rate of accidents cases on the road. She promised to present a proposal to the Deputy Governor on suggested plans on how best to solve the riddles about the road.

Describing the Effigy of Justitia and its implication, the former Chief Judge of Ogun State, Honorable Justice Olatokunbo Olopade rtd revealed that there are three main attributes of “Justitia” which is expected to be present in any place where law and Justice is taught or dispensed.

The three main attributes she said are: “the Law is blind which is exemplified by the blindfolding of the effigy; the second is; every case must be balanced; this is depicted by the balance held by Justitia. The third attributes she averred, is that of the power of the court and everyone serving Justice; which means you must enforce your judgment. The Sword is not sheathed; and that means, when you dispense judgment, you must be transparent. By having the effigy in Chrisland therefore, it means the School Community is expected to teach and dispense the law in fairness and justice”. The Sculptor, who built the effigy, Mr. kayode Ojomo Jp. alluded to this too.

The acting Dean of the College of Law, Dr. Mrs. Folake Tabitha corroborated the assertions of the VC on the effigy and added that there is no better time to emphasize the need for the rule of law and Justice in our Nation Nigeria than now; particularly in the area of Gender, Distributive, economic, Political and social Justice. The College of Law in Chrisland University is set for these ideals and intellectual radiance through the teaching of law and cutting edge legal research.

Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele in her speech before commissioning the effigy of Justitia thanked the Chancellor of Chrisland University, High Chief Dr. Mrs. Awosika Winnifred OON, for the support Ogun State has received over time from the University; during Covid-19 and for working assiduously over the last few years to establish a University in Ogun State with a vision to nurture and mentor people to be the best in the society. She authenticated the significance of the effigy to Chrisland University as the new beginning of the faculty of Law. With the provision of the huge building infrastructure on ground in the College, coupled with the serene and conducive environment of the University; the crop of students that will be turned out of the College of Law cannot but be anything less than excellent Lawyers in the Society.

She further said that “the Government of Ogun State, Led by His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, is so much interested in sustaining the relationship with Chrisland University as it has been exploring with other University in the State. This Government is interested in providing necessary amenities for its citizens to enhance their living, for SMEs entrepreneurial drive, and Youth employment. This is why we have a job portal which is absorbing several of them into the labor Market. Ogun State is the Industrial Capital of Nigeria and we shall continue to remain so”.

The Deputy Governor promised to look into the request by the VC about the road in front of Chrisland University to be safer for all road users, noting that Ogun State Government is always interested in the safety of her people.

Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele later unveiled and commissioned the Effigy of Justitia of the College of Law, Chrisland University, amidst Cheers and hope that the College of Law becomes a reference point, to the glory of God and the benefits of mankind.

Dignitaries present at the historic event were; Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele , Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola  Vice Chancellor of the University, representative of the Chancellor of the University (High Chief Awosika Winnifred); Mrs. Ibironke Adeyemi, the MD of the Chrisland Group of Schools; representatives of the Board of Trustees of Chrisland University, Mrs. Yemi Owolabi; Honorable Justice Olatokunbo Olopade Rtd.( former Chief Judge of Ogun State); the Acting Dean of the College of Law in the University, Dr. Folake Tabitha; the Dean of the College of Art, Mgt and Social Sciences, who is also the Chairman of the Ceremony Committee, Prof. T. O Akinbobola, Professors, Deans, Heads of Departments, Lecturers, Staff and many other Principal officers of the Institution.