GOVERNOR MUTFWANG ATTENDS CHIEF LATEEF FAGBEMI’S ALUMNI LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF JOS, SAYS PLATEAU WILL GIVE PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU A ROUSING WELCOME ON SATURDAY
By Azi Peter – Jos
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called on the people of Plateau State to come out en masse and give a rousing welcome to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who will be visiting the state on Saturday for the burial of the late mother of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
Governor Mutfwang made the call on Friday in his remarks at the Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the University of Jos, delivered by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN. The lecture, titled “The Nigerian Justice System in a Digital Age: Opportunities, Challenges and the Road Ahead”, attracted a cross-section of eminent personalities from the legal and academic communities.
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The Governor stressed the importance of unity, peace, and harmony in advancing the development of Plateau State and Nigeria.
“Tomorrow, we will be receiving Mr. President in Jos, Plateau State, as he comes to honour our late mother, the mother of my dear brother, the National Chairman of the APC. I am confident that Plateau people will give Mr. President a warm and rousing welcome. I believe that his visit will afford him a deeper appreciation of Plateau and its people,” Governor Mutfwang said.
He reiterated his conviction that Plateau State remains one of the best places to live in Nigeria, endowed with rich human and natural resources yet to be fully harnessed.
“We cannot realize our full potential if we continue to pull one another down. We must remain our brothers’ keepers and work collectively to bring Plateau to the place of honour that God has destined for us,” he remarked.
Governor Mutfwang also commended Chief Fagbemi for delivering a thought-provoking lecture, describing him as a “fountain of knowledge.” He noted that the lecture, presented with a blend of practical experience and deep reflection, offered valuable insights into how technology is shaping justice delivery in Nigeria.
He appealed to the Attorney General to support the advancement of competent and patriotic alumni of the University of Jos into leadership positions at the national level, while urging the University to extend a hand of mentorship to Plateau State University, Bokkos, where he serves as Visitor.
In his lecture, Chief Fagbemi underscored the transformative role of technology in the legal system, describing it as a necessity for ensuring swift, accurate, and accessible justice.
He recalled that the turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Chief Justice of Nigeria introduced practice directions for virtual hearings. Since then, some state judiciaries have adopted innovations such as e-filing and digital cause lists, while others still rely on traditional paper processes.
According to him, the legal profession is gradually embracing a hybrid model where physical and virtual processes complement one another.
“The lesson is clear: technology in justice is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s interconnected world. However, its adoption must be deliberate, inclusive, and rooted in the core values of justice. Nigeria must not copy blindly, but adopt wisely,” the Attorney General emphasized.
Also speaking, Senator representing Plateau South, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, expressed appreciation to the Attorney General for honouring the institution with his lecture. They described him as an accomplished legal practitioner whose purposeful service has shaped governance in Nigeria and beyond.
Gyang Bere
Director of Press and Public Affairs
to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
October 3, 2025
