On 22 November 2019, British Nigeria Law Forum celebrated its 18th Anniversary in style holding their Annual Gala Dinner & Awards at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London. Eight BNLF members were honoured during the awards, and special recognition was given to Mr George Etomi, a Nigerian based lawyer. The charity supported on the night was the Sickle Cell Society, an organisation that supports and represents people affected by sickle cell disorder. The Solicitors Regulation Authority sponsored the Rising Star and the Women in Leadership Awards. Other sponsors were Sendwave who ran a competition for lucky winners to win a discount on monies sent to Africa using the Sendwave App. Africa Legal sponsored three junior lawyers to attend the dinner. Insight Legal Software sponsored the top auction prize, and Financial Nigeria sponsored printing and graphics.

The Gala Dinner was well attended by BNLF members, friends
and associates including distinguished guests, His and Her Excellency
Ambassador George Oguntade (CFR, CON) and wife; Christine Ohuruogu MBE, former
Olympic, World and Commonwealth champion and Professor Dame Elizabeth Anionwu
DBE FRCN, the first UK sickle cell and thalassemia nurse specialist and a
patron of the Sickle Cell Society.

The hosts for the evening were Sam Onigbanjo and Juliana
Olayinka. The dinner commenced after a welcome address from His Excellency
Ambassador George Oguntade, who spoke about the vital role of lawyers in the
society. During the programme, guests were serenaded by the talented
saxophonist P Star, singer Laverne Wynter and comedian Funmbi who made the
audience laugh out loud with some relatable experiences.

Before the Gala Dinner, eight BNLF members had been
shortlisted as finalists for recognition; this followed a nomination process
and selection by independent Judges. At the award ceremony the following BNLF
members were recognised:

  • Adenike Balogun (Winner: Women in Leadership)
  • Adetokunbo Hussain (Winner: Rising Star)
  • Ifeanyi Odogwu (Winner: Lawyer of the Year)
  •  Lorna
    Adekaiyaoja (Winner: recognition for Community Service)
  • Hilda Ephraim Adejumo, (Best Runner up: Lawyer
    of the Year)
  • Nwabueze Nwokolo (Best Runner up: Women in
    Leadership)
  • Tochukwu J. Anaenugwu (Best Runner up: Rising
    Star)
  • Zina Arinze (Best Runner up: recognition for
    Community Service).

His Excellency George Oguntade CFR, CON (an Honorary member
of BNLF) along with a previous BNLF Winner, Segun Osuntokun, presented Mr
George Etomi with their highest recognition an Honorary Award for distinguished
service to the legal profession. An additional award was also presented to Mr
Etomi recognising George Etomi & Partners, Nigeria, for their work on
professional development and learning.