NBA President’s “Love Letter” To President Tinubu: Urgent Action Needed On Security, Economy And Trade Agreement

In a poignant State of the Nation letter delivered on Valentine’s Day to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN has expressed grave concerns over the prevailing state of insecurity and other critical issues affecting the nation and emphasizing the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

In the letter made available to the news desk of The Metro Lawyer (TML), Maikyau began by reaffirming the NBA’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and advocating for the rights of all Nigerians. Quoting the words of Sir Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams, the first Nigerian to be called to the English Bar, Maikyau stressed the legal profession’s duty to serve the people and advance the country’s cause.

The NBA President reminded President Tinubu of his call for the Bar’s guidance during the 2023 Annual General Conference, highlighting the need for collaboration between the legal profession and the government in addressing national issues. Drawing from biblical scriptures, Maikyau urged for prayers for leaders and emphasized the importance of speaking truth with love.

Maikyau then turned his attention to Nigeria’s pervasive insecurity, citing alarming levels of violence perpetrated by bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs across the country. He condemned the increasing boldness of these perpetrators and the apparent inability of security forces to stem the tide of violence.

The NBA president highlighted specific incidents, including the Bodija Area explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, and called for accountability and justice for victims. He criticized government posturing and urged for transparency in addressing security challenges, emphasizing the need for a government-people engagement to reassure Nigerians. Maikyau emphasized the need for strategic security measures and condemned actions that compromise national security such as the government’s public display of military equipment.

In a significant portion of his address, Maikyau discussed the state of the judiciary, stressing the importance of a fair, impartial, and corruption-free judicial system. He called for judicial reforms and accountability among judicial officers to restore public confidence in the justice system.

Acknowledging President Tinubu’s efforts to improve judicial welfare, Maikyau urged for the swift swearing-in of the newly appointed Supreme Court justices and emphasized the need for continued support from the executive and legislative arms.

Addressing economic concerns, Maikyau called for urgent measures to revamp Nigeria’s economy, particularly in light of the rising inflation, its impact on citizens and food insecurity. He urged for transparency in government policies and accountability in addressing economic challenges, emphasizing the need for government accountability and decisive action..

Additionally, Maikyau raised concerns about recent agreements signed by the Nigerian government, particularly the Enhanced Trade Investment Partnership (ETIP) with the United Kingdom. He criticized the inclusion of provisions allowing British lawyers to practice in Nigeria, arguing that it undermined the livelihoods of Nigerian legal professionals. Maikyau emphasized the need for consultations with stakeholders like the NBA before finalizing such agreements, and called for a review of the purported agreement.

In closing, Maikyau reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to partnering with President Tinubu’s administration for the betterment of Nigeria, urging decisive action on pressing national issues.

The strongly worded State of the Nation letter by NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN to President Tinubu underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address Nigeria’s security, judicial, and economic challenges.

READ THE FULL LETTER HERE>>>>> NBA LETTER TO PRESIDENT TINUBU