Adewale Sanyaolu
A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Austin Alegeh, has declared that a virile judiciary and an active media remain vital and crucial towards the development of any nation.
According to him the merits of a strong judiciary and an active media in Nigeria cannot be over emphasised and that both institutions must be seen to work in cooperation to ensure that Nigerian’s nascent democracy is nurtured appropriately.
Alegeh who stated this in a paper: “Judiciary and Journalism As Frontiers of Democracy: Anachronistic or Contemporary in Justice and Fairness” at the 11th Ralph Opara lecture organised by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) held at the weekend in Asaba, Delta State noted that both the judiciary and the media have undergone several reforms which has restored the confidence reposed in them by the public.
While pointing out that there is still room for further improvement in several areas especially remuneration and professionalism, he urged both organisations to collaborate to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
“Over the years, both institutions have performed creditably well and can be said to have displayed courage, astuteness, sincerity of purpose and commitment to the Nigerian project in the face of corruption and nepotism. The practise whereby judicial officers are blamed by the media for the nation’s judicial woes/shortcomings should be discouraged. Both institutions must collaborate actively to further strengthen and deepen our nation’s democracy in order to ear our place of pride in the comity of Nations”
Alegeh seized the opportunity to commend the organisers of the programme for the initiative of the lecture series in honour of Ralph Opara, a broadcast icon adding that “Nigeria as a nation need more people like him who have courage and guile to face and fight societal malaise and work for the development of our people and our country”
The NAS Capoon, Mr Emmanuel Gbahabo in his address disclosed that the lecture series was conceived to immortalise Opara and also to provide a medium for the expression of the views and ideals that he lived by.
According to him the lecture series also serve as a”platform where topical issues of Nigeria’s development are explored for the collective good and solutions distilled from discussions are communicated to the relevant authorities as our suggestions towards national development”
Mr Asue Ighadalo, Chairman Board of Directors, Nigeria Economic Summit Group(NESG) who chaired the occasion also commended NAS for the Ralph Opara lecture noting however that reasons prompted the formation of the organisation are more pertinent now
“I think as a group and as an organisation, the reasons for which we were founded are even stronger today and more pertinent and our role in ensuring this country evolves into a First World country where no man is oppressed and where truth and justice reigns is fundamental.”