R-L: Ugbejeh, Njoku, Aare, Prof. Justus Sokefun
The Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr. Ernest Ugbejeh, has led staff of the faculty to present a book to a former dean of the faculty, Prof. Justus Sokefun.
The presentation of the book was in honour of Sokefun’s 60th birthday celebration.
The book, published by the Faculty of Law, was presented to the celebrant during a surprised birthday party jointly organised by the faculty and his family, which took place in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday, October 29 2022.
The book, titled “Current Legal Issues and Development: Festschrift in Honour of Professor Justus Adedeji Sokefun,” is a 22 chapter book with over 500 pages.
According to Prof. Ugbejeh, “the chapters provide legal education to all and sundry and provide legal reasoning on various topics in Law as they were selected out of many peer reviewed contributions due to their depth and the informative nature of their contents.
“The book is a publication of the Faculty of Law.”
Ugbejeh added that he returned the gesture of writing and presenting the book to Sokefun, as he had already set the example during his tenure as dean of the faculty in 2008.
“The idea of the book by the Faculty of Law, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), aimed at bridging the gap between Law in Practice and Law as an academic course, was conceived by Professor Justus Adedeji Sokefun while he was dean in 2008.
“The rationale was to educate the mind of lawyers and non–lawyers of current legal issues and development while at the same time honouring astute and accomplished scholars or jurists of note,” the dean said.
Ugbejeh, who stated that he was particularly delighted to see the culture of continuity in an academic endeavour of this nature, aimed at promoting research and scholarship, noted that Sokefun, during his time as dean in 2008 and 2012, produced similar books in honour of accomplished scholars: Professor Olugbemiro Jegede) and Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe (both former Vice- Chancellors, NOUN) on his birthday.
Speaking to NOUN News correspondent, Dr. Ugbejeh explained that “the chapters are contributions by lawyers in different vocations, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).”
Similarly, the NOUN Law graduates award was also presented to Sokefun during his birthday party.
A large birthday card, signed by all academic staff members of the faculty was equally presented to him.
While recommending the book to all as a must read because of its coverage and relevance, Ugbejeh extended his best wishes to the Faculty of Law and the editors who worked with him for a well produced book.
“I am proud to be associated with this productive project,” he said.
The Dean, Faculty of Law, Dr. Ernest Ugbejeh, Dr. Folashade Aare and Mr. Nduka Njoku represented the faculty during the birthday celebration.
He thanked the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, the NOUN management and the entire NOUN community for their continued support to the faculty.
