- Justice Mabel Segun-Bello emphasized that strong connections, often through political parties, are crucial to becoming a federal judge in Nigeria
- At the 2024 Clarity Conference, she encouraged youth to overcome poverty and challenges, asserting that determination can lead to success
Justice Mabel Segun-Bello, a federal high court judge, stated that to become a federal judge in Nigeria, one must have strong connections, often through the presidency or a political party.
She made these remarks on Saturday in Abuja during the 2024 Clarity Conference, themed “The Constellation: Gathering of Stars, By Stars, and For Stars.” As the Keynote Speaker, Justice Segun-Bello shared that her path to success was challenging, but with determination, she persevered.
Speaking to an audience of mostly young people, she said, “Your background might be one of poverty, which is powerful, but you have the will to change your situation.” She emphasized that her own journey was difficult, noting, “If I told you where I come from, you would either think I’m lying or be moved to tears. I’m not just a state judge; I am a federal judge.”
Justice Segun-Bello highlighted the reality of becoming a federal judge: “To reach this position, you typically need the backing of the presidency or a political party. I had neither.” She underscored the importance of principles, saying, “This shows that universal principles, when applied, make anything possible.”
The conference’s convener, Atuzie Favour Tuzzi, explained that the event was designed to help young people turn their ideas into reality. “The Clarity Conference aims to guide youths from the ideation stage to implementation,” Tuzzi said. “Many struggle and doubt themselves due to their early environment or what they saw their peers doing in school. This conference seeks to address those challenges.”