John Edozie hands over as President of Nigerian Lawyers' Association

NEW YORK, NY-June 13, 2001- This past week marked a mile stone in the history of the new, but already prominent Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA), the leading bar association of lawyers with Nigerian heritage, education and interests.

On June 9, 2001, at a general meeting held on the campus of Fordham University, School of Law located at Columbus Circle in Manhattan, the Nigerian Lawyers, Association elected officers for the 2001-2002 term.

The only contested position was that of President, which was a straight contest between current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Olayinka Dan Salami and Ms. Beatrice Hamza chairperson of the Constitutional Drafting Committee.

Ms. Hamza, an associate with the New York City law firm of Hughes Hubbard and Reed, won the election by a landslide and is now the president elect of the Nigerian Lawyers Association. This is remarkable for an association dominated by men. In addition Ms.Ifeoma Anekwe was appointed, as the new Public Relations Officer for the Association while John Ukaegbu Esq. was appointed to the office of the Treasurer and Mr. Wale Mosaku was appointed to the office of Parliamentarian. The out going president, Mr.John Edozie of Madu, Edozie & Madu, P.C., was appointed to fill the 5th position-in the Board of Directors, which was left vacant when Mr. Olayinka Dan Salami resigned to run for the position of the president.

Ms. Ihenji Ugenyi, Vice President and Mr. Placid Aguwa, Secretary, also ran unopposed and retained their respective positions.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Hamza promised to use her position and contacts to raise funds for the association. She pledged that under her leadership, the organization would be able to secure an office and hire some staff within the next 12 months, she also promised to assist the association in organizing an award dinner scheduled for August 2001.

It is anticipated that the new officers will be sworn in at a public ceremony within the next four weeks.

The meeting was presided over by outgoing president, Mr. John Edozie, while the electoral contest for the presidency was conducted by Mr. John Ukaegbu, chairman of the Election Committee.