For the first time in Nigeria’s legal history, a book specifically devoted to the tourism sector has been published and publicly presented in Abuja, Nigeria.
The book, a product of 10 years of legal research, was authored by Dr Emmanuel Oluwafemi Olowononi, a senior lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, Nigeria.
Nigerian youths were at the launch of the Sports Law and Practice book in Abuja.
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, was the Special Guest of Honour at the impressive event which commanded the presence of Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Gov Yayaha Bello, Governor Ben Ayade, Sunday Dare, Minister of Sport, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Mr Olumide Akpata, SAN, Solomon Lalong, Asiwaju A Awomolo SAN, and other distinguished legal minds in Nigeria, commended the author of the book, Dr Oluwafemi Olowononi, for thinking outsidethe box by venturing into a new area of legal jurisprudence hitherto unnoticed and unrecognised.
He said that he was enamoured by the author for exploring his exuberant mental capacity as a young man to fish out a lucrative aspect of the law that some of them, who belong to the old generation of legal practitioners, never thought off.
Gov Akeredolu pointed out that Dr Olowononi has employed his mental capacity to excavate what has been hidden from the old and wise and adumbrates it for the benefit of all.
Gov Akeredolu said that the situation in the country is hard and stiff, and it seems that the solution lies not within the mental capability of the old but within the polished, superior exuberance of the youths who should take back their country.
He thus tasked youths in Nigeria to likewise and in unison put their thoughts together and take back their country.
The Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, who was represented by Mr Akinlolu Folu, Head, Legal Services, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development commended Dr Olowononi for coming out with an indispensable material for the Ministry.
According to Mr Akinlolu Folu, Sports Law and Practice aims to fill a gap and address the dearth of legal materials in Nigeria, noting that it will go a long way in relieving the Ministry of the burden of searching for legal materials when needed.
Mr . Olumide Akpata, the outgoing President of the Nigeria Bar Association, said he had to grace the public presentation of the book purposely because of it being a new area of law, and of other importance is the personality of the author as a brilliant teacher of the law who has a unique style of imparting knowledge.
Mr Akpata pointed out that the publication of this unique book of the law is a testament to the character of the author, who daily seeks to foray into new knowledge areas.
Asiwaju Awomolo described the book as a gift to the sports sector, legal practitioners, law students and sports lovers.
Reviewing the book, Dr Peter Oniemola deftly and clinically highlighted the essential paragraphs of each chapter and revealed to the guests the hidden, relevant legal nuggets of the book.
He described the book as an unputdownable product of a classical legal mind, not only to fill a vacuum in the legal space but to pathfind a new course and new professional concerns for lawyers. Representatives of Governors Ayade and Yahaya Bello delivered commendable messages of congratulations to the author for expanding the frontiers of legal practice in Nigeria.
Mr Paul Kashim, who represented Gov. Tambuwal, also described the book as a must to be acquired by every lawyers and law student because it is a novel area of law.
Senator Osita Osinachi and Hon Luke Inok delivered goodwill messages and commendable words for Dr Emmanuel Olowononi, whom they described as an intelligent teacher of the law who is not only humble but diligent at work.
Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Director General, stamped the confidence and trust which the school reposed in the author by not only leading a team of lecturers from Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law School which include Dr and Mrs Osamolu, Director and Head of Academic, U Ononye, S.M. Rilwan. PS Okorie and others waited till the close of the impressive ceremony.
The event, which was anchored beautifully and awesomely by Kanayo .O. Kanayo and Prof Mrs, Professor Mabel Envierhoma, former Dean of Art, University of Abuja, the duo who were ex-students of Abuja Law School was attended by Professor Paul Idornigie, SAN; Pastor Peter Balogun; Bishop David Asoore; HRM Etim Edet Professor O. Abifarin.
Others were: Professor K Adam; Chief Judge, Federal High Court; VC, Kwara State University, Dr Mohammed Ndarani, SAN; Baba JB Daudu, SAN; Prof Ademola Adegoke; Professor Mabel Envierhoma; Former Dean of Art, University of Abuja, Dr Reuben Atabo, SAN; A. Atoyebi, SAN; Tayo Fatogun, SAN; Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN; VC NOUN, Chief Henry Akunebu, SAN; Rt Hon Luke Offiong; Professor Dan Fulani; The Evwierhomas; Professor Alemika, Professor J. Amupitan, SAN; Mr Monday Adjeh; Chairman, Bwari Branch, Mr Clement CHUKWUEMEKA; Former Chairman, Bwari Branch and 2nd Vice President-Elect, Representative of NDLEA, FCCPC.
Capping the event were two testimonies of brilliance and diligence at work rendered by three students of the Nigerian Law School Abuja Campus rendered by Mrs Bala Bola Briggs, Vice-Chairman, Elders Council Jackie Odukoya, and Mr Etaba, Chairman, Law School students’ Representative Council.
Dr Olowononi, in his short thank you message, gave glory to God Almighty for the event and expressed his unlimited gratitude to everyone who has been used by God to make the public presentation of the book, Sports Law and Practice, a huge success.
The book, a product of over 10 years of research, publications, and interrogation of various laws regulating sports in Nigeria, will not only enhance Nigeria’s image in the comity of Sports nations but also endear Nigerian sports to a global embrace for sustainable economic engagement.
