The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, PhD, OFR, has called on legal practitioners to strengthen their knowledge of labour laws and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions to better engage with the specialized jurisdiction of the Industrial Court.
Justice Kanyip made this call during the Gabriel Adikwu & Co. Annual Lecture, held in honour of retired Supreme Court Justice Paul Adamu Galumje and Police Service Commission Commissioner, at the Government House Banquet Hall in Yola, Adamawa State.
Speaking on the theme “Promoting and Enhancing Labour Justice: Role of Lawyers,” Justice Kanyip emphasized the importance of out-of-court settlements in resolving labour disputes efficiently and fairly. He said such alternatives can enhance the delivery of labour justice and reduce delays in the judicial system.
The Gabriel Adikwu Annual Lecture is one of the North East’s largest gatherings of jurists and legal professionals, drawing participants from across the region and beyond.
Justice Ita Mbaba, in his own lecture titled “The Court as the Last Hope of the Common Man: Current Realities and Concerns,” urged judges to conduct themselves with integrity, reminding them that they act as divine deputies in human affairs. He said this perspective should guide judges toward just and moral rulings.
In his keynote address, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, reflected on the legal journey since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. He acknowledged the progress made but highlighted persistent challenges, such as corruption and limited access to justice.
Osigwe encouraged lawyers to seize opportunities for reform by participating in the ongoing constitutional review and adopting new technologies to support justice delivery and uphold democracy.
The event was attended by top judicial figures, including Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman (Chief Judge of Adamawa State), Hon. Justice James Agbadu-Fishim (Presiding Judge, Industrial Court Yola Division), and several other judges and legal dignitaries. Also in attendance was the Royal Father of the Day, Hon. Justice N. Musa, retired Chief Judge of Adamawa State.
Awards of merit were presented to speakers and guests in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of justice in Nigeria.
