By Mustapha Usman, Kano
Government of the United States of America has promised to support the Nigerian legal system for the less privileged to have easy access to the justice system in the country.
The new US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuatry Symington, disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje at the government house on Wednesday.
He said easy access to justice strengthens both individuals, especially the poor and an entire nation which reflects in many areas of human life and development.
“The reason why I’m here is because you governor and your state have put into action the most important of all principles, that is justice system and we are ready to partner with the state to help especially the poor,” he said.
“Strengthening a whole country begins with how you treat every person with respect, which includes education, health and job among other.”
He said the visit was also to familiarize himself with the country and that because Kano is important to the country, Africa and the whole world, including America.
“The same reason I’m here is the same reason I’ m going to go to all the six geo-political zones in the country. I want to learn from people in each of the places so that I can understand the whole country and look into areas the US can work to help for every person and place to succeed,” he added.
In a remark, Mr Ganduje welcomed the initiative, pointing out that it will help the poor in alleviating some the challenges they go through in the legal system especially in terms of financing.
“He is here to partner with us in order to improve justice, especially justice for the less privileged people, who do not have money to hire lawyers to defend themselves.
“Sometimes they can lose their life and their right simply because they do not have anybody that will protect them legally, so the Ambassador is here to partner with the Kano state government.
“He is also here so that we can understand each other in order to move the state and indeed Nigeria forward,” Mr Ganduje said
The Ambassador who took over from his predecessor last October is expected to continue the familiarization tour across the six geo-political zones.
