By Cross Udo and Deborah Onyofufeke, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday declared that Nigeria will not sustain the failed economic theory that sees to the wastage of 90 per cent of its scarce revenue in the servicing of external debts amid many development challenges facing the country.

The President said this while declaring the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) open at the Velodrome, MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

While energising the gathering of 16,190 lawyers in attendance with an extemporaneous speech, Tinubu stated that the prosperity Nigerians require will only occur once poverty is banished from the society with the focused cooperation of Nigeria’s private sector leaders, many of whom were present at the opening ceremony.

The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, was quoted to have said, “Can we continue to service external debts with 90 per cent of our revenue?

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“It is a path to destruction. It is not sustainable. We must make the very difficult changes that are necessary for our country to get up from slumber and be respected among the great nations of the world.”

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Getting it right: Charting the course for Nigeria’s nation-building,” President Tinubu stated that hard decisions must be made to set the country on a growth trajectory, despite the initial pains that meaningful reforms usually bring.

“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 affirmed.

Against the backdrop of the renowned judicial reforms he undertook as Lagos State Governor, Tinubu renewed his commitment to deal conclusively with the pressing issue of remuneration for judicial officers and legal practitioners, noting that true justice reform must begin with world-class salaries and benefits for legal professionals in Nigeria.

“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 mindset. We accuse our nation and its previous leaders. We complain a lot about 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,” the President exclaimed.

Referring to the keynote address delivered by the Chairman of UBA Plc and Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, who he praised for setting an agenda for economic growth and development, Tinubu bemoaned the inability of the country to eradicate poverty and tackle poor electricity supply, despite Nigeria’s abundance of gas.

He made a commitment that his administration will ensure that Nigeria generates and distributes the electricity the economy requires to thrive.

“Yes, it is a shame not to have adequate electricity for the mass majority of homes in Nigeria and to power our industries. How can we address poverty without electricity? We can take many people out of poverty with an uninterrupted electricity supply. Poverty is not acceptable, and we must banish it,” President Tinubu concluded.

In his welcome address, NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, expressed the confidence of the NBA in the ability of President Tinubu to deliver good governance to Nigeria because of his pedigree and past record of excellent performance in Lagos State where he was governor between 1999 and 2007.

“President Tinubu got it right in Lagos, and it is our considered expectation that as President of Nigeria, you will not only replicate your achievements in Lagos but surpass them for our country.”

The conference was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan-Enoh; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, past NBA Presidents and many senior government officials.

Earlier, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said lawyers in the country must “rise up and occupy strategic place” in the nation building drive of the President Tinubu-led administration.

Also, the Guest Speaker, Elumelu, noted that with the abundance of both human and material resources, the country must continue to lead the way for other African countries to follow.

“Our private sector, our philanthropists, our civil society, all citizens must be brought together and be empowered – as real, valued and executing partners for this national renewal, this nation building. It behoves us all to collaborate in unity to reset Nigeria.

“Let us approach the task of nation-building with unwavering determination, guided by the principles of unity, inclusivity, and progress. Let our pursuit of nation-building be characterized by unwavering determination, empathy, and the commitment to create a legacy of progress, unity, and hope for generations to come.

“Let history remember us not for our achievements, but for our collective efforts in building a nation that stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the entire black race,” Elumelu added.