The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) has said the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will be delivering the lecture at the 2024 NBA Annual General Conference.
The NBA president explained that Okonjo-Iweala was selected due to her achievements both in Nigeria and internationally.
Maikayu stated that the Director-General of the WTO would speak to legal professionals in the country about ways they can contribute to national rebuilding.
He emphasised that lawyers must understand and embrace their vital role in advancing national development.
Maikayu spoke at the unveiling of the conference logo and theme in Abuja on Thursday.
He said, “The fact is that we, as lawyers, need to change our attitude on how we do things. If we are where we are today and are not happy about it, then we have to change the way we do things.
“Sometimes, one wonders what is really wrong, considering the fact that Nigeria is potentially the greatest country on the face of the Earth. But our experience does not reflect these potentials.
“We all know the blessings and how endowed we are as a country. Both in terms of the mineral resources and human resources. When you go across the world, you will see Nigerians doing exploits in different fields. It makes one wonder what exactly we are not getting right as a nation.
“I believe that our attitude is mainly responsible for where we are today and what we are experiencing.
“This is why we have decided that a great personality like Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will be the keynote speaker for our conference this year. She is a woman who has accomplished several feats; a role model and a distinguished Nigerian.”
