Nigerians Will Gauge Buhari's Direction by His Cabinet, says Oyebode

Nigerians Will Gauge Buhari's Direction by His Cabinet, says Oyebode

Nigerians will be able to predict the actual direction of Buhari's incoming government when he unveils the composition of his executive cabinet in the coming weeks says Gbenga Oyebode, Managing Partner of the law firm of Aluko and Oyebode, one of Nigeria's most prominent corporate law firms.  Oyebode believes that who the president chooses to work with, their pedigree and devotion to Nigeria will give a clear insight on how well the government will fare in solving the country's problems.

Mr. Oyebode who delivered the keynote address at Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA) Annual Merit Awards Dinner in New York on Saturday, May 23, said he expects the incoming government to invest strongly in such areas as the power sector and healthcare, among other priorities.

Highlighting positive news about the country, Mr. Oyebode who is also the Chairman of Access Bank and seats on the board of telecom giant, MTN Nigeria Limited, said that the country's software industry is one of the fastest growing in the developing world and is ranked second behind India while pointing out that Nigeria has Africa's largest growing mobile phone market with about 150 million subscribers which provides a huge potential to business development.

He however decried the growing income inequality in Nigeria, lamenting that while Nigerians are the most educated in Africa, Nigeria also has one of the poorest people.

He exhorted the diaspora lawyers to be willing to contribute to the growth of the country by mentoring young lawyers and helping to write regulations for the country.  Mr. Oyebode promised that his law firm of Aluko and Oyebode will continue its traditional support of the NLA.

Highlights of the event include recognition of some practitioners for distinguished service in different categories.  Chioma Azi, Esq., of the African Cultural Alliance of North America, and Abayomi Ajaiyeoba, Esq., both received  Exemplary Service Awards; Debo Adegbile Esq., Partner at WilmerHale LLP, received the Law and Justice Award; Chinwe Esimai Esq., Director of Global Anti-Bribery and Corruption, Citigroup Inc., was honored with the Trailblazer Star Award; Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of the City of Newark received the Distinguished Public Servant Award; Ambassador Habib Habu, Consul-General of the Consulate General of Nigeria, New York received a Merit Award; and the past presidents of the NLA were also given Legacy Award.