The Centre for the Promotion of Continuous Legal Education in the Nation was proposed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters on Tuesday. It would replace the Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas Port Harcourt campus of the Nigerian Law School.
It was claimed that the committee's recommendation was predicated on the notion that the Port Harcourt Law Campus has met the requirements for such a centre of the highest international standards.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, chair of the committee, confirmed this in Port Harcourt, the state capital of Rivers, while performing an oversight duty of the campus with his colleagues.
Bamidele stated that he was astounded by the standard of facilities offered by the governor for the training of law graduates and asserted that it would prepare them for the demands of the profession as he was being led on the inspection tour by the state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The congressman added that Wike had established a benchmark of excellence that allowed working attorneys as well as students of law to utilise the facilities.
"This is one of the happiest oversight visits we have undertaken in our tenure as the Senate Committee's leadership," he continued.
It's an occasion to honour our democracy. It's an occasion to honour leadership. It's an occasion to honour success.
In light of the precedent created by the Port Harcourt Campus, we even advise the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to reserve some of the rooms to ensure that our ongoing legal education is treated seriously utilising the Port Harcourt Campus as the foundation for this.
The chairman of the Senate committee continued by saying that the establishment of the school proved that when leaders could collaborate across partisan, ethnic, and religious boundaries, Nigeria could advance to the desired level.
Additionally, the MPs visited the House of Assembly residence in Rivers, which is almost finished.
Senator Bamidele stated that Governor Wike has also blazed a track in the provision of housing facilities for parliamentarians for the 32 units of four-bedroom duplexes at the legislators' quarters.
By the grace of God, we have travelled the entire nation. In the Houses of Assembly of several States, we have interacted with our fellow state-level legislators. We know their residence. We are aware of their lifestyles and are confident in their continued dedication.
"Coming here to see what we are experiencing today, again, I want to say it's a confirmation that you have a trailblazer and someone who will continue to achieve in setting a global best practise standard as governor,"
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda, praised Governor Wike for his admirable initiatives and noted that the need for him to enter national politics was driven by the state's apparent democratic dividends.
Additionally, Wike's decision to build a new campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt is a clear indication of his patriotism and commitment to the country, according to Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani.