From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is set to address more than 20,000 legal practitioners at the upcoming annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, the President of the NBA, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the logo and theme for the 2024 Annual General Conference of the association.
The theme of the 2024 NBA conference, scheduled to take place in Lagos from August 23 to 30, will be: “Pressing Forward: A National Posture For Rebuilding Nigeria.”
During the unveiling event, Maikyau emphasised the need for lawyers to recognize the crucial role they can play in advancing national development.
He stated, “As lawyers, we need to change our attitude towards how we do things. If we are dissatisfied with our current situation, then we have to change the way we do things.”
The NBA President highlighted the multitude of challenges facing the nation and stressed the importance of lawyers embracing the role of change agents.
He stated, “Sometimes, one wonders what is really wrong, considering the fact that Nigeria has immense potential to be one of the greatest countries in the world. Yet, our reality does not reflect these potentials.”
“We are well aware of the blessings and resources available in our country, both in terms of natural resources and human potential. Nigerians can be found excelling in various fields around the world. It begs the question of what exactly we are missing as a nation.”
“I believe that our attitude is primarily responsible for our current situation and experiences.”
Maikyau announced that Dr Okonjo-Iweala, a highly accomplished and distinguished Nigerian, would be the keynote speaker at the conference, highlighting her as a role model.
The NBA, which prides itself as the largest association of lawyers in the world, has chosen the Eagle as the symbol for its upcoming conference.
Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mrs. Oyinkasola Badejo-Okusanya, noted that while 16,000 lawyers participated in the last NBA conference, over 20,000 legal practitioners are expected to attend this year.