By Uche Amunike
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed, during the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Abuja, that if Nigeria continues to spend 90% of her revenue on external debt service in the face of the numerous developmental challenges plaguing her, It would destroy the country.
While declaring the conference open, Sunday, the president maintained that his administration will make changes which might seem difficult, but at the end, will help make the country arise from slumber and be respected among the comity of nations.
He maintained that the only way Nigerians would prosper, was if poverty is successfully banished from the society with great cooperation of Nigerians private sector leaders, who were mostly present at the opening of the NBA conference 2023.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘Getting it Right: Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building’, Tinubu reiterated that the tough changes that will be made by his government are necessary to set the country on a path of growth, no matter how painful it is for the citizenry.
Hear him: ‘We cannot have the country we desire without the reforms we have initiated. It is painful at the beginning, in the short and medium term, but we must do what we have to do to take this nation to its great destiny. It is not about you and it is not about me. It is about our generations yet unborn, for whom we must bequeath a great and prosperous country.’
He made reference to the popular judicial reforms he undertook as Lagos State governor between 1999 and 2007 expressed his commitment to deal conclusively with the present problem of remuneration for judicial officers and legal practitioners, stating that true justice reform must start with world class benefits and salaries for legal professionals in Nigeria.
His words: ‘You are learned. I want to learn. Why are we so blessed and we are still lacking? We must have a change of attitude and a change of our mind-set. We accuse our nation and its previous leaders.’
‘We complain a lot of the past. Is that the solution? No! Let us look forward and be determined! God has given us what we need. We must work hard with determination to make our country great and it begins with you who are seated here with me.’
During his speech, President Bola Tinubu stated that it was possible to have a new Nigeria with his renewed hope agenda, as his administration was taking bold steps that would find lasting solutions to the problems facing the country, stressing that it would yield the desired results, only if everyone cooperated with his administration.
Hear him: ‘I am not cynical, I am factual. The critical and bold initiatives embarked upon (requires) collaboration and cooperation of the private sector.’
‘We are so blessed and we are still lacking. Change of mind-set is what we need. We accused our previous leaders, we complain too much about the past, it is not the solution, we must look forward, God has given us creative mind and will.’
