• Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh (left), presenting letter of nomination as The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 to legal icon, Prof Awa Kalu
Legal icon and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Awa Kalu, has commended The Sun for leading the pack in issue-based journalism and for sticking always to ethics of the profession, which have manifested in its awards regime.
The legal luminary, who is the winner of The Sun Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 and 33 others will receive different categories of awards at The Sun Awards ceremony billed to hold on February 17, 2024 in Lagos.
Speaking when the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh presented a letter nominating him in Abuja, Kalu expressed delight at his selection.
He said although it was not in his nature to scout for awards, he was shocked when he was informed of his nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prof Kalu praised The Sun management for carrying out a painstaking research on his numerous achievements in the legal profession.
He said: “I’ve to admit it. When I received your letter, informing me of this nomination, it was a surprise. I’m not the type that runs after awards. People think I’m not a normal Nigerian because of that.
“So, when I saw the letter, I immediately asked my assistant to send a response. I thank you for the research carried out on me. It is not easy to carry out such an exercise. You got your facts correctly.
“Let me assure you that we’ll be there at the awards ceremony. I’ll come with my family members, friends and associates.
“On behalf of my family and those that have passed through me, I want to appreciate you for this honour. I thank you very much.”
In his earlier remarks, The Sun MD said Kalu’s selection for the award was based on merit because of his outstanding contributions to the legal profession and political development of the country over the years.
He described Prof Kalu as a legal icon, who has made remarkable achievements in the areas of legal education, legal scholarship, advocacy and character moulding, having been, at different times, a Law Lecturer at the University of Lagos, and Imo (now Abia) State University, where he taught the Law of Evidence, the Law of Tort, Criminal Law, and other law courses.
Ukeh said Kalu’s imprint “is adorned as a badge of honour by an array of your former students, many, who are great lawyers today, or who have attained the prestigious rank of professors of law, as distinguished members of the Inner Bar or have become notable judicial officers of the Court of Appeal and High Courts or leading political figures.
He said: “You provided a platform for robust academic and intellectual pursuit through the publication of ‘Lawyers’ Bi-Annual,’ and ‘Comparative Law.’ Through these publications, you open the eyes of many lawyers and judicial officers to fundamental legal issues, which strengthen them in their profession.
“Away from academics, you hold an enviable record of working with two Attorneys-General of the Federation and Ministers of Justice, in the persons of Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN and Chief Clement Akpamgbo, SAN at a stretch. You have also meritoriously served as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia State, where you implemented reforms and formulated policies that enhanced efficiency in state judiciary and governance.
“In other services to Nigeria, you distinguished yourself, serving, at different times, as Secretary, National Committee on Corruption and Economic Crimes; Secretary, National Committee on Malpractices in Banks and other Financial Institutions; member, National Committee on Town Planning Law in Nigeria; member, Editorial Committee, All Nigeria Law Reports; member, the Nigerian Delegation on the Democratization Process in Ethiopia; member of the Steering Committee of the Second All-Africa Law Ministers Conference in Cairo Egypt; and member of the Nigerian delegation to the 46th and 47th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1991 and 1992.
“You are Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who flies the flag of honour and integrity very high. You are professional in your conduct and meticulous in your approach. You are also a strong voice, as your contributions to legal matters are insightful, robust and always germane.”
Other people receiving The Sun Awards along Ogiame Prof Kalu are: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Groiup, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, InnosonMotor Vehicle Manufacturing Limited (Man of the Year); Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State (Governor of the Year); Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Rev. Uma Ukpai (Lifetime Achievement Award); HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife (Most Impactful Royal Father).
Others are Amb Olufolake Abdulrazaq, wife of the Kwara State governor (First Lady of the Year); Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate, Labour Party (LP) (Political Icon); Dr. Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Chairman/CEO, Richland Property and Homes Limited, Lagos; Chief Kenneth Ifekudu (Agbalanze), Chairman, Diamond Leeds Ltd and Chief Peter Oge Obih, Chairman, Sea Map Group of Companies (Businessman of the Year); High Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Chairman, Pinnatech Engineering Nigeria Limited; Dr. Oludare Akande
Chairman, Bellagio Airlines Limited and Dr. Jayne Onwumere, MD, Property World Africa Network (PWAN) Group (Investor of the Year); Dr. Uche Ogah, President, Masters Energy Group, Chief Celestine Ebubeogu, Chairman, Tiger Foods and Chief James Uzuh, Chairman, J_Jumac Industries Ltd (Industrialist of the Year); Chief Ikenna Okafor, Chairman, Kevs Global Leasing Ltd; Lady Adaora Umeoji, DMD, Zenith Bank Plc and Archbishop Dr. Emeka Agwu
President, Voice of Evangelism International
Houston, Texas, USA (Humanitarian Service Icon); Amb. Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, First Lady, Kwara State and Founder, Ajike People Support Centre (First Lady of the Year); Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Chairman, Tantita Security (Courage in Leadership Award).
Other award winners are, Mr. Robert Azibaola, Founder; Zeetin Engineering Limited; Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroluem Regulatory Commission and Mr. Charles Odii, DG, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) (Public Service Award); Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO, Wema Bank and Mr. Femi Bakre, Managing Director, Parallex Bank (Banker of the Year); Bukola Olopade, MD/CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd. (Sport Personality of the Year); Lady Ngozi Ezeonu and Tobi Bakre (Nollywood Icon of the Year).