INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, MR YAKUBU CHONOKO MAIKYAU, OON, SAN
Sunday, 1 October 2023
Dear Learned Colleagues,
Notwithstanding the myriad of challenges confronting us as a nation and our present-day experience, we cannot afford to give up on the Nigeria of our dream – a Nigeria where we all live in peace and harmony, with tremendous economic growth under a stable and purposeful leadership.
We must, therefore, introspect, retune our thinking deliberately and, recalibrate our steps and actions. We must redirect our minds by focusing on the positive – our strengths and achievements – and build on them towards achieving a just and prosperous society. We must refuse to be overwhelmed by our negative experiences but contribute from our individual corners towards realizing the fullness of our immense potential, which makes Nigeria the great nation that it is. We must move Nigeria from a great nation potentially, to a great nation experientially.
We must rise above all prejudices, de-emphasise the things that separate us and embrace the things that unite us. This is only possible when we allow our humanity and the love of God in our hearts to find expression, as we relate with each other as a people. This must be our mindset and posture as we work and keep hope alive. As members of the legal profession, we must always remember that our primary call is, to live for the direction of our people and the advancement of the cause of our dear nation Nigeria. We are blessed with great human resource populated by vibrant, brilliant, energetic, innovative, and resourceful youth. We must together, champion the recovery, reformation, and repositioning of Nigeria. A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE.
It is on this note that I wish all Nigerians a wonderful 63rd Independence Day Anniversary.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN
PRESIDENT
