LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Nigerian Lawyers Association upon
the occasion of hosting its Annual Awards Dinner

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Nigerian Lawyers Association upon the occasion of hosting its Annual
Awards Dinner on Saturday, December 3, 2011, in New York City; and
WHEREAS, During this special event, Nigerian Lawyers Association will
recognize Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, current Vice President of the World
Bank, Africa Region along with Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, former
Attorney General of Lagos State and highly respected legal scholar; and
WHEREAS, Every year since 2002, the NLA has held an annual award
dinner that has consistently attracted a dynamic and diverse group of
professionals and dignitaries, during which it honors accomplished indi-
viduals with the NLA Merit Award; this year's award will be presented to
Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili for her pioneering efforts and work at Trans-
parency International and for her inspiring contributions as pioneer
head of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit in Nigeria;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, the NLA's Law and Justice Award will be
presented to Professor Yemi Osinbajo for his exceptional service in
academia as well as the public sector; he has also displayed exemplary
leadership while serving as the Attorney General of Lagos State in Nige-
ria; and
WHEREAS, The Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA) is a non-profit
professional association with a membership consisting of judges, attor-
neys practicing with various United States based law firms, corpo-
rations, governmental agencies, multi-lateral institutions, as well as
law graduates and law students; its core objectives are to improve the
administration of justice in the United States as well as Nigeria; and
WHEREAS, The NLA's aim is to also advance legal education and profes-
sional development; it achieves these objectives primarily by organizing
various programs and events independently or in collaboration with other
associations and organizations; some of the NLA's programs and activ-
ities include: conducting free legal clinics, organizing seminars,
continuing legal education programs, organizing legal internships and
other professional development programs, publishing newsletters and
journals, analyzing legal issues along with awarding scholarships to law
students; and
WHEREAS, The Scholarship Program was launched in 2010 and the grants
may be applied towards J.D. or LL.M. programs in the United States or
for bar review programs for United States jurisdictions; in addition,
the NLA recently took the lead in organizing and co-sponsoring a Minori-
ty Law Student Conference, which provided law students with critical
career advice as well as a resume building workshop; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, the NLA's distinguished record
merits the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Nigerian Lawyers Association upon the occasion of hosting
its Annual Awards Dinner; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Nigerian Lawyers Association and to the aforementioned
honorees.