By Precious Ireoluwa
An International Jurist and a Professor of Law, Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, SAN has called on the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expedite actions in the international community by making deals to finance infrastructural projects in the Country.
Prof. Olawuyi, stated this while addressing Newsmen in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, during the 2nd NBA Ikere Young Lawyers Forum, Ikere-Ekiti Branch Symposium to honour the Professor.
At the Symposium themed: “Nation Building and International Financing – A Legal Perspective”, he noted that selection of Intellects to represent the Country in the international community would trigger nation building in terms of good road networks, education, healthcare, among others.
Olawuyi, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), added that Nigeria needs brains who understand the intricacies of international law to make the best deal for the country.
In his words, “We have lots of projects that need to be completed like good roads, education, healthcare but we simply don’t have the money.
“In international law, you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. So, it’s imperative for us to send the best mind that can negotiate the best deal for us.
“We need people who understand the intricacies of international law to be able to go there and negotiate the best deal for us and I am impressed that the incoming administration, has talked a lot about being deal makers and we have to see that in action by getting the best deal abroad to build our roads, to finance infrastructure project and to make our societies better.” He said
While urging Young Lawyers to be disciplined, hardworking and diligent, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Gabriel Adeoluwa Onagoruwa, enjoined them to seek other avenues to deploy laws for the purpose of nation building without limiting the practice to court rooms.
“I charge you to be disciplined, hardworking and diligent. You should also find other avenues where laws can be deployed for the purpose of nation building, financing, because Law is not only limited to court rooms.” He stated.
Also, the Chairman Youth Lawyers Forum, Ikere-Ekiti branch, Samson Ayodeji Aina, noted that the aim and objective of the programme is to motivate young lawyers by benefiting from the achievements and track records of Professor Olawuyi.
According to Aina, “The topic has been able to open our minds to other areas of our practice, that we young lawyers can also venture into and acquire skills and knowledge in negotiating finance in terms of project development for our country.”
