Legal Awareness Can Help Curb Crime, Ogorugba Tells Isoko North Residents
By BLESSING AGWE ODUGO
A Call to Take the Law Beyond the Courtroom
THE Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Hon. (Elder) Prince Godwin Ogorugba, has advocated wider public education on Nigerian laws, arguing that better legal awareness can help citizens avoid offences and reduce crime.
Ogorugba made the case during a visit by the newly elected executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Oleh Branch, to his office in Ozoro.
The chairman said an informed citizenry was essential to the promotion of peace, justice and responsible conduct.
He noted that many residents needed greater knowledge of the laws that affect their daily lives, including the consequences of actions that could result in criminal or civil liability.
Council Pledges Support for Legal Advocacy
Ogorugba welcomed the NBA executives and congratulated them on their emergence as leaders of the Oleh Branch.
He assured the lawyers that the Isoko North Local Government would partner with them to promote legal awareness and advocacy throughout the area.
The proposed collaboration, he said, could create opportunities for residents to learn more about their rights, obligations and the provisions of relevant laws.
Such enlightenment, according to the chairman, could also protect vulnerable citizens from fraud and manipulation.
His administration, he added, would continue to encourage initiatives that strengthen respect for the rule of law.
Development Depends on Peace & Order
The local government chairman linked legal awareness to the wider task of building a peaceful and orderly society.
He argued that no community could achieve meaningful development without stability.
For that reason, Ogorugba said the council would continue to engage professional associations and other stakeholders in efforts to promote justice, prevent conflict and support development.
The NBA partnership could therefore become part of a broader effort to connect governance with civic responsibility and public enlightenment.
NBA Delegation Commends Council Leadership
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the NBA, Oleh Branch, Mr. Timothy Agbaragu, said the delegation visited to formally introduce its new executive officers to the local government leadership.
Agbaragu thanked Ogorugba for receiving the team despite his official commitments.
He also praised what he described as the chairman’s purposeful leadership and management of the council’s resources.
According to him, the local government had recorded visible infrastructure development since the current administration assumed office.
Commitment to Justice & Cooperation
Agbaragu said the NBA remained ready to work with the local government to uphold justice and strengthen respect for the law within the jurisdiction.
He stressed the importance of cooperation between public institutions and professional bodies in addressing legal and social challenges.
The NBA chairman also commended the Secretary to the Local Government, Sir Vote Umukoro, for his administrative capacity and legal experience, which he said had contributed to the council’s development efforts.
The visit ended with both sides expressing support for closer cooperation, particularly in the areas of legal advocacy, public enlightenment, justice and community development.
