President Bola Tinubu on Sunday emphasised the need for hard decisions to improve the economy and banish poverty in Nigeria.
Specifically, he said Nigeria will no longer spend a large chunk of its revenue to serve debts.
Tinubu spoke at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja which theme is: “Getting it right: Charting the course for Nigeria’s nation building”.
The president said: “The challenge is for us to put up a united Nigeria that is committed to greatness. Unless we do it ourselves, we cannot achieve it. I’m not being cynical, I’m being factual. The renewed hope is here but its success is dependent on all of us.
“Yes it is a shame not to have electricity in our homes in Nigeria, poverty is not a shameful thing but it’s not acceptable, we must banish it.”
Tinubu warned that the journey may be arduous and tasking, but the joy and harvest will manifest over time. “It could be painful at the beginning but we will reap the fruits in the medium and long term. It’s not about us but about the future, generations yet unborn”, he said further.
He thanked the NBA for the honour of addressing Nigerian lawyers at the conference, urging them to correct him if and when he makes mistakes.
“Tonight you have honored me to address this gathering, I say thank you very much. I’m not a lawyer but out of great respect.. so that I don’t make many mistakes, I don’t say I won’t make many mistakes, but not too many costly mistakes, I surrounded myself with many brilliant minds and one of them is Lateef Fagbemi SAN.
“We have to get it right. The NBA plays a very strategic role in the country. It’s a strategic profession. You are learned, I want to learn. We complain a lot about the past, is that the solution?”, he asked. The thousands of lawyers replied with a thunderous ‘no’!
The president said he looks forward, with determination, knowing that God has given Nigerians a creative mind.
“Nigeria is our country, our motherland, our responsibility. Let me also thank a number of you here volunteering to defend me ….. it’s not about money but about your love and trust in my capacity. Thank you. Whatever I’m doing wrong, tell me, I will change it”. The President thereafter declared the conference open.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, thanked God for the privilege of serving as the 24th HAGF of this country and to the President for finding him worthy of the appointment.
NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau SAN, told President Tinubu that the theme of the year’s conference is harping on the need and importance of getting things right in the country.
“Your excellency, we can’t talk about getting it right – which is the theme of this conference- without talking about your track record and your achievements in Lagos. You have done well. On behalf of members I welcome your excellency to this conference with a renewed hope”, said Maikyau.
He thanked Tinubu for his choice of Fagbemi as the Attorney General of the Federation calling him(Fagbemi) one of NBA’s best who is a round peg in a round hole.
“And what is more your excellency, you have surrounded yourself with lawyers like the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and our Chief Host, the Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike who is a life Bencher”, stated.
