“From Experience To Expertise: Mastering Your Field” — Former CJN Ariwoola Chairs Event, Dakas SAN Delivers Keynote, Speakers Discuss Sports Law, Tax Law, International Humanitarian Law
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The 11th edition of the Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, JSC (Rtd) Professional Training and Mentoring Programme for Young Lawyers began on Friday, March 13, 2026, with a welcome cocktail, offering participants, mentors, and distinguished guests the opportunity to network and set the stage for the main programme held on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
For over a decade, J-K Gadzama LLP has remained committed to creating platforms that nurture young lawyers, transforming early professional experience into genuine expertise. The mentoring programme, established by Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, equips young legal practitioners with the guidance, discipline, and insights needed to excel in an increasingly complex profession.
The 11th edition, themed “From Experience to Expertise: Mastering Your Field,” brought together distinguished voices from both the Bar and the Bench. The event was chaired by Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the Body of Benchers, while the keynote address was delivered by Dakas C. J. Dakas, SAN, Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
In his remarks, Justice Ariwoola commended the organisers and highlighted the importance of mentorship, discipline, punctuality, and bridging the gap between academic training and practice.
Prof. Dakas, in his keynote address, emphasized the value of mentorship in shaping young minds and outlined why expertise matters, including enhancing education, improving advocacy, promoting professional liberty, and carving a niche in an increasingly AI-driven legal environment.
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The programme also featured presentations from Dr. Emmanuel Olowononi, PhD, Head of Department, Corporate Law and Practice, Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus; Mrs. Marilyn Chinwa Eze, LLM, MCIArb, FCIS, FICMC, Head, Board Secretariat, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission; Mr. Jerry Ombugudu Musa, LLM, CDRS, ABR, Junior Partner, J-K Gadzama LLP; and Mrs. Ruth Ifeoluwa Boloaji-Egbeja, Legal Adviser, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Nigeria.
Dr. Olowononi highlighted sports law as an emerging field, encouraging participants to carve niches and position themselves strategically.
Mrs. Eze spoke on self-awareness and introspection, urging mentees to identify their strengths and deliberately build expertise in their chosen areas.
The Secretary of the Body of Benchers, Mr. Daniel Tela, delivered goodwill messages, praising the programme’s role in mentorship and professional development.
Mr. Musa discussed opportunities in tax law, particularly in administration, policy, and advisory roles, emphasizing the benefits of specialization.
Mrs. Boloaji-Egbeja addressed international humanitarian law, encouraging participants to move beyond comfort zones, seek guidance from experts, build meaningful professional connections, and ultimately become mentors themselves.
Participants also sought insights, clarifications, and guidance, actively engaging with speakers to navigate key aspects of their professional development.
The programme reinforced J-K Gadzama LLP’s commitment to developing lawyers who pursue mastery, integrity, and excellence, transforming experience into meaningful expertise while inspiring the next generation to specialize intentionally and continually refine their skills.
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