LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has disclosed the reasons behind his decision to join President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
The legal expert explained that his decision to join President Tinubu’s administration was driven by his desire to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement and growth of the nation.
He revealed that he was surprised by his nomination as a minister because he did not lobby for it.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also emphasized the importance of professionals and technocrats actively participating in governance, rather than leaving it solely to politicians. He stated that it was time for these individuals to step forward and contribute to bringing about positive change in the country.
Fagbemi addressed a gathering in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti state, during a reception organized by Emmanuel Chambers, led by the renowned Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, who is also the leader and founder of Afe Babalola University.
Prominent legal figures, such as Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN; Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN; Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN; and Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the national secretary of the All Progressives Congress, were in attendance at the event.
Fagbemi, the second lawyer from the chambers to assume the position of Attorney General of the Federation, expressed his commitment to collating perspectives and ideas from various stakeholders to develop a comprehensive blueprint for the nation’s justice system in accordance with the president’s vision for the country.
READ ALSO: Abuja 189 Undeveloped Properties: Wike Gives 3 Months Ultimatum To Owners
Acknowledging the significance of the reception organized by his colleagues and friends, Fagbemi conveyed his deep appreciation for the immeasurable and unparalleled contributions of Afe Babalola to his personal achievements and professional success. In his new position, Fagbemi assured the chambers that he would strive to uphold their trust and expectations, pledging not to disappoint them.
According to him, “ I did not submit any application nor lobby to be made the minister. I know a lot of people have been insinuating and I can say that I don’t know anything about the ministerial nomination. The president told me, ‘Don’t allow anyone to deceive you, I want you, that is why I appointed you. In fact, I did not have a CV as of the time I was nominated because I have never needed it in my life, and when I got to the DSS, they were surprised I didn’t have a prepared CV.
“I have accepted this responsibility, and all I need is your advice. We cannot all be saying the way they(Politicians) have been doing it we don’t like it, then you leave them. I am not a politician, but we should be there to make a change in our country.
“Getting to a position is not the issue, but maintaining the status of such a position is the issue, and that is why I said it is a challenge because I know hopes are high. As I mentioned earlier, you don’t just come out and say this is what I will do; you must also follow up with how you will do it. And that is why all the critical stakeholders are being engaged to have their inputs, harmonize their views, then come out with what I will call a blueprint, in line with the Mr President’s Renewed Hope agenda.”
Regarding the speakers’ plea for national transformation, Fagbemi stressed the importance of intergovernmental collaboration and the consolidation of ideas to foster the efficient progress and advancement of the country.
“The issue of transformation of the country is not a one-man business. People make the mistake of thinking that it belongs to the federal government alone; that is not correct. The correct position is to appreciate the fact that Nigeria is a federation, and when you talk about a federation, each segment has to man its post.
“In order to have any meaningful impact, progress and development, you need to engage each of these tiers of government to be on the same page and sing from the same hymn so that we can all present what I will call comprehensive development or progress in the nation,” he said.
