Wike tells African lawyers to chart course for devpt of continent

African lawyers, numbering over 1000 from different countries of Africa have converged in Port Harcourt for the African Bar Association 2017 Annual Conference, with a charge from Governor Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike, governor of Rivers state, to them to chart a course to develop the continent.

Declaring open the conference on Monday, Governor Wike stated that the great task before African leaders was to provide the enabling fiscal and regulatory environment for the private sector to create jobs and provide economic prosperity and security for the people

He charged African lawyers to be shining lights in the continent and to help reshape it for the good of the people, saying: “It is against this background that we note with satisfaction the decision of AFBA to organize this conference.

“The upswing of stable democratic governments and appreciable investments in development infrastructure has contributed in no small measure to positively change the continent’s economic narratives,” he said.

The governor said that despite being weakened by the global recession, reports affirm Africa’s positive economic outlook as one of the world’s most attractive frontiers for trade and investments and informed the African lawyers that Rivers state had been repositioned as Nigeria’s investment destination.

The governor continued: “As we speak, Rivers state is adjudged to be one of the safest and secure states in the country. Our communities are safe. Our local government areas are safe and secure, just as our homes and neighbourhoods are safe and secure.”

He noted that the state had advanced in areas of an independent judiciary, quality infrastructure and basic amenities developed by the incumbent administration.

In his keynote address, immediate Past President of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete called on African leaders to work for greater investment climate on the continent.

He said Africa can be a continent where her people were wealthy and happy if leaders created the right environment for investment.

Also speaking, Sokoto state governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, said that Africans should believe that as a people they could work for the attainment of set goals.

In his own speech, the Attorney-General of Sierra Leone, Mr. Joseph Kamara, said the conference was symbolic as it created a platform to chart a course for the development of Africa.

In his remarks, President of African Bar Association, Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, said the need for the African legal community to re-enter the global stage informed the resuscitation of the African Bar Association.

Welcoming delegates to the 2017 African Bar Association Annual Conference, the Vice President of the Association, Mr. Eddy Mark, urged participants to take advantage of the conference to savour the hospitality of Rivers state.

The African lawyers are in Port Harcourt, capital city of Rivers state to discuss ways to rapidly develop the continent.