An Enugu-based legal practitioner and astute politician, Chief (Barr) Emeka Abah has been honoured with a Distinguished Legal Excellence Award, by the Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF), an association of all media practitioners from the Nsukka Cultural Zone of Enugu State, in recognition of for his excellent legal services to humanity, but especially for his free legal services to the less privileged in the Nigerian society.
At the colourful awards ceremony held at the sprawling, ultramodern Jerry Marriot Hotel, Nsukka, as part of the Forum’s 5th annual October Convention, Abah, a grassroots politician and legal activist, was presented with the award by the former Chairman of Council, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Chapel, Mr. Sam Udekwe.
The Nsukka Journalists Forum October Convention has become a prestigious annual calendar event constantly graced by the high and mighty in the Nsukka Cultural Zone.
Among other distinguished guests in attendance at this year’s October 2 event were Distinguished Senator Okechukwu Ezea (Nzeogwu), the Senator representing Enugu North in the 10th Assembly, ably represented by Hon. Ikechukwu Ezugwu, immediate past Leader of Enugu State House of Assembly; Professor Frank Asogwa, former Dean, Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); Barrister Sam Otoboeze, the guest lecturer who is a security expert and former Chief Security Officer of the NNPC; Major General Chris Eze (rtd), former Nigerian High Commissioner to India, who was one of the award recipients and Dr. Peter Okwudili Ogbobe, DG, Project Development Institute (PRODA) and also an award recipients, among others.
Presenting the award to Barr Abah, Udekwe, a high-ranking member of NJF, described the activist legal practitioner as an extraordinary grassroots mobilizer whose politics and legal practice have positively impacted society, especially the less privileged members of the society.
He urged Abah to never to relent in serving humanity in his inimitable ways, noting that God gave him his extraordinary talent and strength of character for the exact same reason: to use them to serve God and humanity.
A native of Amutenyi, Obollor Afor, Udenu LGA of Enugu State, Abah attended the famous Saint Theresa’s College (STC) Nsukka, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) where he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree, and the University of America Curacao, where he obtained a Masters degree in International Law.
He is a highly talented lawyer who is widely admired as a proficient advocate many hail as SAN in the making.
However, Abah’s legal forte subsists in his widely commended pro bono legal services to the less privileged seeking justice.
As a politician, Abah who is married with children, is a model for the youths whom he constantly mobilizes for the community development projects he often undertakes.
In his acceptance speech, the legal luminary and politician thanked the Mr. Benson Whyte Ezugwu-led NJF for the honour of the award, explaining that he had turned down a number of awards in the past but was enthusiastic to accept “this one from home because it is also very genuine.”
