By Adejola Adeyemi Crown
Law students at Chrisland University have been urged to uphold discipline, diligence and ethical values as the foundation of their legal careers, in a message delivered on behalf of the Ogun State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice M. A. Dipeolu, during the university’s 2025 Law Dinner held in Abeokuta on Friday.
Representing the Chief Judge at the event, Hon. Justice Adetokunbo Jibodu of the Ogun State High Court described the dinner as more than a social gathering calling it “a significant rite of passage” that formally welcomes new students into the discipline of legal study.
“My Lord sends warm greetings from the Ogun State Judiciary to the Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean, and all law students,” Justice Jibodu said.
He urged the students to embrace the conservative nature of the legal profession with courage and commitment.
“You are not alone in this journey. Take advantage of the research, training and advocacy platforms made available to you. Law goes beyond classroom learning. it is a lifelong path of growth and service,” he added.
Justice Jibodu further encouraged the aspiring lawyers to build themselves intellectually and professionally, stating, “This is a golden opportunity. Make the most of it.”
Also speaking at the event, renowned legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ‘Sola Ojutalayo, SAN, Ôdelivered a compelling keynote address urging students to pursue their dreams with purpose, resilience and integrity.
“You are not just learning about statutes and cases. You are being trained to think critically, argue persuasively, and stand for what is right even when it’s unpopular,” Ojutalayo said.
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.”
Ojutalayo advised students to build strong academic foundations and start preparing early for global opportunities.
“The habits you form now can shape the heights you attain in five to ten years. Strive for excellence not just for grades, but for the global doors they can open,” he said.
He emphasized that the legal profession offers multiple career paths beyond the courtroom and urged students to explore emerging fields such as technology law, intellectual property, sports law and data privacy.
“Not every great lawyer wears a wig and gown. Some shape public policy, others draft tech frameworks. Find your place and bring purpose to it,” he told the students.
Guest lecturer and legal expert, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye, SAN, shared practical tips on “how to be a successful law student and lawyer,” urging the students to embrace hard work, uphold integrity, and show professional courtesy to peers regardless of academic standing. “Be bold, be diligent, and compete without compromising your values,” he advised.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Kayode Akinsola, said the dinner was not only a celebration of excellence and ambition but also a reflection of the college’s journey so far.
“We are here to honour our collective progress, the achievements of our students, and our shared commitment to justice and leadership,” he said, while acknowledging the university’s support and reaffirming the college’s readiness to soar to greater heights.
Justice O.O. Ogunfowora, in his goodwill message, encouraged students to use the occasion as a moment of reflection and purpose.
Similarly, Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Mrs. Sola Arulogun, who served as the Chief Host, appreciated the guests for making the night memorable.
“Knowledge without character takes one nowhere,” she noted, emphasizing that academic brilliance must go hand in hand with moral uprightness.
The Registrar of the University, Mr. Samuel Omotosho, also attended the event, which featured moments of celebration, inspiration, and the award of special recognition to outstanding individuals and contributors to the Faculty.
Other dignitaries present at the law dinner included judges, senior advocates, legal practitioners and scholars, all of whom added colour and insight to what many described as a night of vision and mentorship for the next generation of legal professionals.
