Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the need for a new positive mindset to rebuild Nigeria.
He spoke at the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference in Lagos, alongside former Ghanaian President John Mahama, who discussed the rising trend of civil unrest in Africa.
Akpabio stated, “Yesterday’s mindset took us to where we are today, and today’s mindset will definitely take us to where we will be tomorrow. We must transform our minds. This has become the rallying cry of the current President of our dear country, Bola Tinubu.”
He commended the NBA conference theme, “Pressing Forward a National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria,” as a call to transform the nation through a paradigm shift in thinking and attitudes. Akpabio highlighted the NBA’s historic significance in shaping Nigeria’s path to independence and beyond.
Mahama discussed the rising trend of civil unrest in Africa, saying it reflects deep disillusionment with the democratic process. He emphasized the need to strengthen democracy, rule of law, and protection of human rights to tackle the challenges.
Mahama noted, “Recent developments on the international stage underscore the instability and insecurity pervading the global system… The ripple effects of these global crises are felt acutely in Africa, intensifying existing challenges and giving rise to new ones.”
He discussed the African Continental Free Trade Area initiative, stating it was not just an economic necessity but also a realization of the Pan-African dream. Mahama tasked lawyers with advocating and implementing legal mechanisms to enable free movement of people and goods across borders while addressing security concerns.
“Lawyers were tasked to work tirelessly to harmonise immigration laws, recognise professional qualifications across member states and establish robust systems for the mutual recognition of judgments and arbitral awards as implementation of AfCFTA provides varying opportunities for their profession,” Mahama said.
