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Exclusive Interview with
PLACID AGUWA ESQ., ON THE occasion of his HOUSE WARMING AND PRE-EVENT
DINNER FOR FATHER JUDE AGUWA'S 25th ANNIVERSARY OF PRIESTHOOD, ON JULY 12,
2003.
BELOW
IS THE COMPLETE TEXT
AE: Thank you for having us here today Mr. Aguwa
PA: It is my pleasure.
AE: This is a very nice place you live in. If you don’t mind my asking, do you own the house?
PA: Yes, I do.
AE: It is really beautiful.
PA: Thank you.
AE: You had told us this was a casual dinner invitation but going by the number of people in attendance and the quantity of food and drinks available, it seems this is actually more than just a dinner. Would you say so?
PA: Well, it is actually a dinner although there are two things that could be said to have added to the motivation. First, My Uncle Rev. Father Jude Aguwa is celebrating his 25th Anniversary of Priesthood; secondly, my family and I are showing appreciation for the house. My Uncle’s event will hold fully tomorrow July 13, 2003. He is also a Professor at Mercy College.
AE: So could one say that this is a pre-event dinner for your Uncle’s celebration tomorrow at Croton Falls as well as a house-warming event for your house?
PA: Certainly.
AE: We wish your Uncle the best, and we will find an opportunity to talk with him later concerning his event tomorrow. So, tell us, how is the environment here in North East Yonkers.
PA: It is a nice environment. No troubles or racial confrontations and the like. In fact I lived close to this place for a long time before my wife and I moved in here.
AE: It is good to know that the environment is cordial.
PA: Yes indeed.
AE: We know that you are a lawyer, but for the benefit of our guests could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your practice.
PA: Certainly. I am the managing partner of the firm – Placid and Emmanuel, P.C. I was admitted to practice law in the courts of New York State, United States District Courts and Nigerian Courts. I have tremendous civil trial experience, but my practice is centered on commercial and corporate civil litigation, personal injuries, medical malpractice and matrimonial causes. I must not fail to mention that I have an able partner and co-founder in the person of Emmanuel Odoemene, Esq. More information about our firm can be obtained through our website
www.Placidlaw.com
AE: You were the former secretary of the Nigerian Lawyers Association here in the tri-state area, is that correct?
PA: That is correct. I was the former Secretary and a current member of the board of directors of the Nigerian Lawyers Association.
AE: Are there any related organizations to which you belong?
PA: I am an Arbitrator of Civil Court of the City of New York and a member of Association of Arbitrators of the Civil Court of the City of New York. I am also a member of New York State Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Bronx County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association and Nigerian Lawyers Association.
AE: That is quite a handful. And your success is evident even as you humbly celebrate the warming of this your beautiful house.
PA: Thank you very much.
AE: Having a house of their own is the aspiration of many Africans (Immigrants) who settle in foreign lands to make a living or pursue a career. What advice do you have for such individuals?
PA: It is responsible to own a house wherever you live. It is even more essential to own one in your own country. Eventually, we will all go home dead or alive.
AE: You and your wife have a child, a daughter, if I am not mistaken, is that correct?
PA: Yes, we have a sweet daughter named Ndidi.
AE: That means Patience.
PA: Yes.
AE: That is great. We wish you and your family the best, and thank you for inviting us.
PA: Thank you very much for honoring our invitation and keep up the good work you are doing at www.AfricanEvents.com
AE: Thank you indeed, Mr. Aguwa.
INTERVIEW BY: Oliver
Mbamara, Esq. and Felix Nnorom, July 12, 2003 |
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