Boss Of The Week

Justice Amina Augie: Nigeria’s Lady of Law

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

When prolific and detailed academics and legal luminaries in Nigeria are counted, a detailed mention will be reserved for a quintessential achiever, Justice Amina Adamu Augie, whose landmarks in the academic and legal systems of Nigeria have a scripted monumental success, giving her a pride of place in the body polity. Her story is an avalanche of quantum leaps.

Born in Lagos, South West, Nigeria, as Anne Eva Graham on September 3, 1953, Amina, hails from Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Her origin and birth place did not in any way limit her quest for Nigerianism, but rather highlighted it. In her efforts to amass the best of knowledge and education, Amina practically traversed the length and breadth of the nation dipping hands into pockets full of knowledge, and coming out more refined than ever.

Kickstarting her academic pursuit at the age of five in 1958, beautiful, intelligent and classy Amina attended Abadina School, in the then University College, Ibadan, where she spent two prolific years before leaving for Hope Waddell Primary School, Calabar, and spent another two years between 1960 and 1962.

As a result of the constant movement of her family, in 1966, she again, attended Holy Rosary Primary School, Enugu, where she completed her primary education, She thereafter, was admitted into the Queen Amina College, Kaduna in 1968, and graduated in 1971.

After her secondary education, Amina secured admission into the prestigious University of Ife, Ile-Ife from where she graduated with a LLB law degree in 1977, and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in the same year, finishing in 1978, and called to the Bar in the same year, July 8, 1978 to be precise, becoming a barrister and solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

After her call to the bar in 1978, she began her professional career by first embarking on the one year compulsory service to fatherland for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. She served as a Legal Aid Counsel at the Legal Aid Council, Sokoto, and rose to become the Head of Department of Legal Aid Council, Sokoto State. Afterwards, she ventured into the classroom at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and had a stint with teaching as an Assistant Lecturer between 1980.

Her brief stay in the ivory tower ended in 1982 when she returned to the legal profession to serve in the administration of late former president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, serving as a Senior State Counsel in the Office of the Chief Counsel to the then President. At the twilight of the government in 1984, she was again appointed a Lecturer by the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

With a detailed commitment to grab the greener pastures, Amina had earlier returned to school in 1980, joining the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for a Masters degree in Law, and graduating in 1981. She also attended the University of Lagos between 1986 and 1987 where she obtained her LLM in Criminology

In 1988, she returned to full time legal career, and was appointed Chief Magistrate in the Sokoto State Judiciary, but the passion and love for teaching did not end with the appointment as even while serving at the Bench, she accepted a part-time employment as Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, and functioned satisfactorily in the position from 1989 to 1992. She also served as an Associate Lecturer in the same University from September 1999 – September 2002, spanning a gracious three years of stewardship.

Hon. Justice Augie, as she is professionally referred to, was in the same 2002 elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench. While at the Appellate Court, she exhibited level of professionalism, serving in various Divisions and rising to become among other high level positions the Presiding Justice, Benin Division from July 2009 to September 2010; Presiding Justice, Enugu Division from September 2010 – September 2011; Presiding Justice, Kaduna Division from September 2011 – September 2012 and Presiding Justice, Lagos Division from September 2012 – November 2016.

And to cap her professional endeavours in legal matters, Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie was elevated as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on November 7, 2016.

HONOURS AND AWARDS

Justice Amina Augie is not a stranger to honours and awards as they trail her every move. She had been winning awards right from her school day, and some of her several awards and recognitions are, but not limited to Faculty Prize for Best Overall Student of University of Ife (1977), Phoebe Chiadikobi Ajayi Prize for Best Female Student, Ife, (1977), and Amicable Assurance Prize for Best Student (Ife), (1977).

She has also received Merit Awards, from The Law Students’ Society, University of Ibadan, (2006), International Association of Women Judges, Africa Region, (2005), Federation of Muslim Women (FOMWAN), Edo State Chapter, (2005), National Association of Democratic Lawyers with the Ford Foundation, (2005), Nigerian Law School Graduating Class of 1988, (2003), Sokoto State Students, (2001), Gamji Club, Sokoto, (1992), Faculty of Law Students, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, (1991), Lagos State Judiciary, (2016), Kebbi State, (2016) and Court of Appeal, (2014).

In September, 2014, she was conferred with the prestigious National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration as well as a recipient of the honour Fellowship of Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, November 2016.

OTHER NOTABLE APPOINTMENTS

Apart from serving as education officer and various categories of legal assignment, Justice Augie has also held major adhoc positions such as Chairman, Recovery of Public Properties Tribunal, Sokoto State (1995 – 1996). She was also the Chairman, Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Tribunal, Lagos from March 1996 to May 29, 1999, Chairman, National Assembly, Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal from 2000 to 2002 and Chairman, Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Nigerdock, from September 2001 to July, 2002.

Other duties attached to Augie are as part of national assignments she has participated in are:

Member, National Swimming Team, 1973 – 1976

Federal Government Delegate, United Nations Decade for Women Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, July 1985

Member, National Committee on Prisons Reforms, 1992

International Director, National Association of Women Judges, 1997 – 2000

Member, National Working Group on Juvenile Justice Administration, July 2002

Chairman, Experts Consultative Meeting – Passage of Child Rights Bill, March 2003

Member, National Child Rights Implementation Committee, September 2003

Chairman, National Facilitators of the Child Rights Act, April 2004

Member, Board of Trustees, Human Development Initiatives (HDI) and Child Rights Education Centre, 2007 to date

Member, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, 2007 – 2016

Member, Board of Directors, Institute of Human Rights and Development in Africa, Banjul, The Gambia, 2008 – 2014.

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND PUBLICATIONS

Hon. Justice Augie has participated in several Workshops, Seminars and Conferences locally and internationally. Among the Workshops, Seminars and Conferences she had attended are:: The 4th Biennial International Conference of International Association of Women Judges, Ottawa, Canada, May 1998; Judicial Colloquium on the Application of International Human Rights Law at the Domestic Level, Vienna, Austria, October 1999; African Development Forum (ADF III and IV), Addis Ababa, March 2002 and October 2004; Judicial Colloquium on the Death Penalty, Lake Naivasha, Kenya, 2005; International Conference of International Association of Women Judges, Sydney, Australia, 2006 and Washington DC, USA, 2016.

She has a penchant for writing, and has to her credit 15 publications in various Books and Seminar/Workshop Publications.

FAMILY

Hon. Justice Augie is blessed with four children, and will be celebrating her 70th birthday on September 3. Yes, her story is an avalanche of quantum leaps!

Congratulations ma!

Boss Of The Week

A Close Up on Ghana’s New Vice President, Jane Opoku Agyemang

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The return of Dr. John Dramani Mahama as the President of Ghana on January 7, 2025 after a resounding victory at the polls on December 7, 2024, set the stage for the emergence the country’s first female Vice President and the West Africa Sub-region’s second, in the person of Mrs Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. Mrs. Jewel Howard-Taylor of Liberia, who left office recently, is West Africa’s first female Vice President.

Before running the presidential race with Dr Mahama, Opoku-Agyemang has distinguished herself as a seasoned administrator, high profile academia, politician of repute and prolific manager of men and materials. Those had given her a bragging right, and placed her on top mention for Mahama’s choice of running mate, and presently, the vice president of one of West Africa’s most recognised country.

Undaunted, Opoku-Agyemang had overcome the disappointment of the December 2020 presidential race, which she ran with her principal, and lost, to try again in 2024, and won on the same NDC party ticket. She is a highly persistent woman, who is desirous of achieving the best for her country.She is deservedly celebrated for breaking barriers, and achieving historic milestones in Ghanaian academia and politics.

The Wikipedia captured her trajectory as follows:

An ethnic Fante, Opoku-Agyemang was born on 22 November 1951 in Cape Coast, Ghana as Jane Naana Sam. She attended Anglican Girls’ School at Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls’ School. She then had her secondary education at the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971. She completed B.Ed.(Hons) in English and French at the University of Cape Coast in 1977. She earned a Diploma in Advanced Studies in French from the University of Dakar and obtained her master’s degree and Doctorate degrees from YorkUniversity in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and 1986 respectively.

Opoku-Agyemang taught and worked at the University of Cape Coast, starting in 1986. She has held various academic positions including: Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Warden of Adehye Hall, Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel, and the Founding Dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research. From 1997, she has held the position of Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora. From 2008 to 2012 she was the university’s Vice Chancellor. She assumed duty on 1 October 2008, succeeding Emmanuel Addow-Obeng.In March 2007, she was one of five scholars selected to deliver presentations during the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

In October 2009, she was elected Ghana’s representative to the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Ahead of the 2012 general elections, Jane Opoku Agyemang moderated the debate with Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

On 26 October 2018, she became Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa located in Zimbabwe.

She has served on many local and international boards and committees such as the Centre for Democratic Governance, (CDD-Ghana), the editorial board of the Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora (Africa World Press Inc. USA), the Africa Initiative in Canada, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons as an Eminent Citizen.

Opoku-Agyemang is an author. Her focus areas includes Literature with a focus on Women from Ghana, Oral literature in Ghana and Africa, Communication Skills and Issues in the African Diaspora. As an academic she has written and published in scholarly journals and presented articles at various conferences including at the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and at the Inaugural Lecture to the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2015, as Education Minister, she published and launched a five volumes collection of published folktales titled ‘Who told the most incredible story?”’

Between February 2013 and January 2017 she served as the Minister of Education after she was appointed by President John Mahama to serve in that role after the National Democratic Congress had won the 2012 Ghanaian general election.During her tenure, she spearheaded several transformative reforms aimed at improving the quality, inclusivity, and accessibility of education across the country. One of her significant achievements was the introduction of the Inclusive Education Policy in 2015. This landmark policy aimed to ensure that children with special needs could access quality education alongside their peers, promoting equal opportunities and inclusivity in Ghana’s education system.

A key focus area during her tenure was empowering girls and advocating for gender equity in education. Her leadership drove the implementation of policies that tackled gender disparities, promoted higher female enrolment and retention rates, and empowered girls through education. Her initiatives played a pivotal role in creating more inclusive opportunities for young women across Ghana.

Additionally, she led the conversion of 10 polytechnics across the regions into technical universities, a bold initiative that elevated the status of these institutions, broadening their academic scope and enhancing vocational education. This reform was instrumental in aligning Ghana’s educational framework with global trends, equipping students with practical skills for a competitive job market.

During her tenure, Opoku-Agyemang initiated the construction of 124 Community Day Senior High Schools, known as “E-Blocks,” to improve access to secondary education in underserved areas. By the end of her term, 50 schools were completed and operational, providing modern facilities such as science laboratories, libraries, and ICT centres. This initiative significantly expanded educational opportunities, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities, and underscored her commitment to addressing disparities in access to quality education.

Opoku-Agyemang oversaw the completion of key infrastructure at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, including the School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, a hostel block, and staff accommodation at its Sokode campus. The university was inaugurated by President John Dramani Mahama in November 2015, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding access to quality higher education and supporting the training of health professionals to address national healthcare needs.

She also played a critical role in establishing the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in the Eastern Region. She facilitated the passage of the enabling Bill in Parliament and secured funding for the university. In December 2016, President John Mahama officially cut the sod for the construction of the UESD’s Somanya campus.

Vice presidential campaign

Opoku-Agyemang was selected as the presidential running mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on 6 July 2020 for Ghana’s December 2020 General elections. She became the first female running mate of the two major political parties in Ghana. Her selection by the flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress was applauded by women groups and women activists as a positive sign to the Ghanaian political scene to promote gender balance and equality.

She appealed to Ghanaians to vote for change and promised to use her office as vice president to influence sustainable development and practical youth-centred policies. Her campaign message was devoid of attacks on opponents. Her intensive campaign in the coastal communities and her home region, the Central Region yielded results as the NDC won most of the constituencies they had lost in 2016. The NDC also won 9 out of the 16 regions in Ghana including the major battleground, Greater Accra.

The NDC National Executive Committee, on 7 March 2024, officially endorsed Opoku-Agyemang again as the running mate for the party’s flagbearer, ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Opoku-Agyemang became the vice president–elect after Mahama won the 2024 presidential election.

On 7 January 2025, Opoku-Agyemang was sworn in as the Vice President of Ghana, becoming the first female to hold the office. The ceremony took place at Independence Square in Accra, where she took the Oath of Allegiance and the Vice President’s Oath before Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Her appointment marked a significant moment in Ghana’s political history, as she became the first woman to assume the role of Vice President in the country’s history.

Opoku-Agyemang is a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, University Teachers Association of Ghana, English Studies Association, African Studies Association, United States, African Literature Association, United States and International Fulbright Scholars Association, Commonwealth of Learning amongst others.

Opoku Agyemang is a Christian who worships as a Methodist.She was married to fellow academic, Edmund Opoku-Agyemang and together they have three children, Kweku Opoku-Agyemang, Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang and Maame Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang. She also has two grandchildren.

Opoku-Agyemang has been honoured with honorary degrees from the University of the West Indies and Winston-Salem University. She has also received an award for Global leadership from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She received the Officer of the Order of the Volta award for Academic Distinction in 2011 by President John Atta Mills and Ghana Women of Excellence Award in the Education category due her contribution to the development and promotion of quality education in Ghana. She was acknowledged for Outstanding Performance in Advancing International Education, School for International Training, Vermont, USA on two occasions.

In 2020, she was named among the 40 Most Inspirational Female Leaders in Ghana for serving as a role model for women in Ghana and in Africa. In January 2023, she was listed among the 100 most reputable Africans.

It is believed that her antecedents and wholesale performances in all the offices she had previously held, will come to bear as she studiously assists Mahama to reignite the 24hour economy he is known for.

Boss Of The Week

The Real Slay Queen: Meet UniAbuja’s New VC, Aisha Maikudi

Published

1 week ago

January 5, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The academic environment, or to be more specific, the ivory tower, thrives on quality, capacity, intelligence and ability to think out of the box. It is further complicated when to become a vice Chancellor, one has to be above board, be the ultimate cetris paribus and have the never-say-never attitude to get things done.

These are the qualities, and more that propelled 41-year-old Professor of International Law, at the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, to the height of administration head of the institution as the Vice Chancellor.

Just into her fourth decade as a human being, Aisha has come of age, smashing the proverbial glass ceiling, and hitting stardom where it was least expected. She is the real slay queen, endowed with beauty, brains and absolute intelligence.

A profile of her personality published on the university site, noted that for her to assume the incumbency of the University administration, Aisha has arrived, seen and conquered, creating room of encouragement, inspiration and desire among the young ones, especially the female folks, who look up to her. She is an enigma.

The profile reads as follows:

Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, a distinguished scholar and professor of International Law at the University of Abuja is from Katsina State, Nigeria. She began her educational journey at Sacred Heart School, Kaduna, where she obtained her First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1993. She proceeded to Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, earning her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 1999, her LLB degree from the University of Reading, UK, the LLM from the London School of Economics, UK, BL from the Nigeria Law School, Abuja and Ph.D from the University of Abuja, Nigeria.

Maikudi’s academic excellence took her to the University of Reading, where she earned an LLB in 2004. She further specialised in Public International Law, obtaining an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2005. After completing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School (2006–2007). In 2007, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi did her National Youth Service Corps at the Corporate Secretariat and Legal Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. She pursued and had a PhD in International Law from the University of Abuja in 2015.

She joined the University of Abuja as a Lecturer II on 4th September 2008, and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2021.

Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi broke barriers as the first female and youngest Head of Department in 2013, the first female Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law in 2018, and the pioneer Director of the University of Abuja International Centre in 2019. She also served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), where she was instrumental in enhancing academic standards and promoting a culture of excellence at the University.

To date, she is the youngest Professor of the University of Abuja and indeed Nigeria, as well as the first female Professor of Law in the North West and the University of Abuja. She specializes in United Nations Law, backed by extensive research and numerous publications in academic journals and book chapters. Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi floated a Postgraduate course on United Nations Law and has supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate theses and dissertations, contributing to the growth of legal scholarship. She has also taught Company Law for over 12 years and is well versed in its mechanics.

Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi has represented her university and country at numerous national and international conferences, workshops, and training sessions across the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, China, Ghana, and Egypt. She has presented papers at many of these events, further solidifying her global reputation as an academic leader.

She is an active member of several professional organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Law Teachers Association (NLTA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and Nigerian Society of International Law.

Aisha is married with children.

Boss Of The Week

Behold the New Bobagunwa of Osogboland, Igbalaye Teslim Adekunle

Published

3 weeks ago

December 24, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The constantly improved city of Osogbo was agog weekend when the Secretary to the Government of the Osun State, Igbalaye Teslim Adekunle, was installed as the Bobagunwa of Osogboland, replacing his late father, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Igbalaye, who was the pioneer Bobagunwa of Osogbo.

The installation of Teslim Adekunle mark the continuation of visionary leadership, a legacy built on profound patriotism and a relentless commitment to the progress of people of Osogbo in particular, and Osun State in general.

The occasion, a combination of pomp, grace, culture and class, drew together the who is who in Osun, West and national politics to the land that bustles with melodious springs.

This venue was the royal palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji (Larooye II), who presided over the ceremony, and had the singular honour of conferring the prestigious feather on the new Bobagunwa.

As early as the first light of the d-day, guests from all corners and walks of life, some, who had arrived the day before, began trooping into the colorful premises of the palace with giant billboards showcasing the about to be installed Bobagunwa and the royal father.

From afar as well as near, dignitaries including traditional rulers, government officials, captains of industries, entertainment buffs, students organisations, community groups, youths and the general public, all converge to witness the glory of a man many believe is a force to reckon with, in both community relations and political administration.

Among notable names present were the Osun state Governor, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke; the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola; former Osun state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and her husband; Oba Abolarin Adedokun, Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewole Egbedun; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Akinyode Abidemi Oyewusi; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Sen. Lere Oyewunmi, Senator representing Osun Central, Sen. Olubiyi Fadeyi-Ajagunla, State PDP Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, Former Chief of Air Marshal, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao; Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, Mr. Oye Balogun the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade, the Timi of Ede Land, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, Hon. Adewale Morufu Adebayo, and a host of other eminent personalities.

Glad in prestigious all red traditional babariga attire, Igbalaye arrived the venue, in company of his wife, children and aides to a rousing welcome of acceptance. The team could not help but respond to the melodious sounds emanating the drums of the itinerant drummers, with corresponding dance steps.

It was not long before the Ataoja, in full view of the guests, including Governor Adeleke, performed the rites of installation, and pronounced Igbalaye, the new Bobagunwa of Osogboland to a loud applause that ricochetted across the length and breadth of Osogboland. He enjoined the new Bobagunwa to uphold tradition and its institutions, and never betray that trust of his people. He harped on the sanctity of the title, and advised the bearer to remain a beacon that he has always been.

In his response as the Bobagunwa, Teslim Adekunle, promised to extend the legacy of truthfulness, honesty, leadership and hard work as handed down by the previous Bobagunwa.

With happiness visibly showing on his face, the Bobagunwa conducted himself round the venue, exchanging pleasantries, in apparent performance of his first official duty as the stool occupier.

In his brief remarks, Governor Adeleke, known for his jovial disposition and dancing prowess, congratulated the new Bobagunwa, and task him to bring unity to not only Osogboland, but the entire Osun State and Nigeria at large. He also thanked the Ataoja for the honour his SSG, noting that the royal father has been a supporter of the administration towards delivering good governance.

The stage was practically set for music, dance and good food, and every attendee had his very full. King Sunny Ade was on hand to make that guest enjoined the best of dancing and music

According to tradition, the title of Bobagunwa is conferred upon deserving sons of the land, and carries immense prestige, aa well as comes with responsibilities.

It is those, like Teslim Adekunle, who have played a significant role in the growth and development of the city in the past, and are committed to the future development of the state in culture and tradition, infrastructure and general growth, are eligible for the honour.

Bobagunwa, a Yoruba language word, which means “to reign with the king” is a clear testament that Teslim Adekunle is qualified to be a confidant of the reigning king. And by implication, demands express commitment and dedication to the king of Osogbo, who is the Ataoja.