Human rights activist, Femi Falana, has urged young lawyers to be prepared to learn and adhere strictly to the principles of legal practice.
Mr Falana made the call on Friday at the young lawyers’ induction training organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja branch, with the theme “Practice Development: The Infusion of Ethics and Skills”.
Falana urged them to develop skills crucial in distinguishing themselves and advancing their course as well as developing the profession.
“Hard work and integrity are essential qualities critical in developing this profession,” he said.
“Our profession is in crisis and needs you to join those who want to reform it so that justice will be served to the country.
“Your success depends on hard work and as you uphold integrity and dignity, money will come your way.
“I charge you to join the people of integrity so that this profession will be respected once again.”
Justice Peter Affen of FCT High Court said that failure to adhere to the ethics of the practice was a major impediment to the growth of the profession.
“We are failing not because we do not know what to do but because we don’t do what we know.
“We must be ethical enough in the practice of our profession to make appreciable progress,” Affen said.
Earlier, NBA Chairman, Abuja branch, Abimbola Kayode, said more of such events would be organised before the expiration of his tenure.
He added that lessons drawn from the training were for all in the legal profession and not only for the young lawyers.
