Nigerian Lawyers Association 2004 Annual Banquet And Award Night

    Recently, the Nigerian Lawyers Association in USA (NLA) held its Annual Banquet/Dinner in New York. In attendance were several dignitaries, lawmakers, Ministers, and members of the Diplomatic community including, Attorney General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi; Minister of The Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who received the NLA coveted Merit Award; US Congressman Charlie Rangel; Senator Ken Nnamani; Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ambassador S. A. Adekanye; Justice Laura Doglas of the Supreme Court, Bronx County, Judge Johnny Baynes of the Kings County Civil Courts. The event was significantly attended by the Press including our staff who covered the event with great photo-shots as usual.

MR. PRESIDENT: NLA President, Ben Okeke, Esq., makes his speech during the occasion.

The BAR was busy: No pun intended?

ABOVE: Honorable Minister Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, flanked by his wife and officers of the Nigerian Lawyers Association, displays the coveted NLA Merit Award. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: The event commenced with a cocktail, after which guests streamed into the main Hall for the Night's main events. After sitting of guests, attendees, dignitaries and NLA members including Executive Officers and Directors, the national anthems of both Nigeria and the United States of America were delivered with Lisa Marie Soprano from Philadelphia adding her soprano voice to it all. Ihenji Ugenyi, Esq., and Jimmy Lawal, Esq., led the opening prayers. MC, John Edozie, Esq. invited some dignitaries including the Ministers, Congressmen, and Senators to the high table. Speeches were delivered by the AG and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, President of NLA, Ben Okeke, Esq., and US Congressman, Charlie Rangel. Dinner was then served followed by cultural dance entertainment by the Umuoma dance troupe before the Night’s Merit Award was handed to the Minister of the Federal Capital territory, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, OFR. His acceptance speech became the highlight of the night as he kept the 300-capacity audience glued to their seats with an insightful and revealing presentation on the “The Impact of Corruption on Governance and Development – The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria.” (Full text of Speech coming soon) The Minister’s well-received speech was followed by a long stretch of dancing time as everyone danced away to the tunes of DJ Paul. Service Award was later presented to Shamsey Oloko, Esq., and the event continued into the moring hours with more dancing and merrymaking before vote of thanks and closing.
APPRECIATION:
Events Committee: Oliver Mbamara, Esq., Francis Ononaji, Esq., Placid Aguwa, Esq., John Edozie, Esq., Patrick Abohwo, Esq., and Sam Maduegbunna, Esq.
Venue: Crown Plaza Queens
For more information on the Nigerian Lawyers Association, please visit www.NigerianLawyers.org

 MORE EVENT SPEECHES COMING SOON

THE COMPLETE PHOTO COVERAGE

Attorney General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi intimates the audience with his "Agenda for Reforming The Justice System in Nigeria."

Merit Award Recipient, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai (Minister of federal Capital Territory Abuja) delivers his riveting acceptance speech. READ IT HERE

US Congressman, Charlie Rangel delivers his speech.

Distinguished handshake

Ambassador Adekanye, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations with Mrs. Okeke (Head of Chancery) Nigerian Consulate enjoying the cocktail

The AG and his Assistant, Bola

Assistant District Attorney, Chris Eribo Esq., (left) with Oliver Mbamara, Esq.,  Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York and PRO of NLA at the event.

NLA Secretary, Patrick Abohwo, Esq., (right) and Beatrice Hamza, Esq., at the event. 

Nurses: Grace Ogiehor-Enoma (right) and Julie Van-Lare, President and PRO respectively, of the Nigerian Nurses Association, USA, among guests at the event.

MORE ATTENDEES

Alex Kabba (inset) with guest

Anthony Chima (right) of World Mission Inc. USA with friend

Special Assistant to President of Nigeria

Esther Obioha of Motherless Welfare, Inc.

More Guests at the event

Chris Eribo, Esq. and Ugoeze Esq., (colleagues at the DA's office).

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The NLA Executive Officers and Directors

US Congressman Charlie Rangel with Minister and Award Recipient, Mallam el-Rufai acknowledge the crowd. NLA, VP, Theo Ogunne, Esq., is in blue shirt behind Minister el-Rufai

Minister and Award Recipient, Mallam el-Rufai in a chat with NLA PRO, Oliver Mbamara, Esq. (who is also the Publisher of www.AfricanEvents.com),

John Edozie, Esq., and wife (left) with Dr and Nneoma Ukpabi(right) take a pose.

Gentlemen: During the cocktail hour

More Gentlemen; NLA Member, Lanre Abiola (left), NLA President, Ben Okeke (center), VP, Theo Ogunne, Esq., (right) 

GUESTS: During the cocktail hour

Events Committee member, Francis Ononaji, Esq., and his family take a pose

NLA PRO, Oliver Mbamara, Esq., with Lisa Marie Soprano (who sang the opening anthem) and Mr. Henry Ebem (proprietor, St. Albans Therapist Center)

Justice Laura Doglas of the Supreme Court, Bronx County (right) with other distinguished members of the high table.

FROM RIGHT: Charles Mbamara, CPA, Felix Nnorom, our Director of Photography, Lady Chika and Bethels Agomuoh, President of the United African Artists Incorporated

Events Committee member, Placid Aguwa, Esq., and Dasim his wife take a pose

NLA Board Chairman, Ihenji Ugenyi in a chat with friends

NLA Officers being called up to the stand

Charlie Rangel with Chris Eribo, Esq., and others

NLA Members: Wale Mosaku and Tinu Awe in a chat

Dancing Time

The Umuoma Dance Troupe entertaining the audience