By Otunba T.J Abass
The entire city of Houston, the third-largest city in North America and arguably the third-ranked economy globally, was virtually on lockdown on Saturday, March 5th, 2022.
Was the lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic? No, it wasn’t. It was the momentous occasion of the 9th edition of the Nigerian American Multicultural Council (NAMC) when outstanding individuals were honoured for their worthy contributions to the community’s socio-economic development.
Attorney OJ Lawal
These are individuals who were determined, against all odds, to overcome the vicissitudes of life and make it to the top of the ladder of success.
NAMC is a multicultural organisation of Nigerian American professionals determined to change the narrative of the Nigerian American community by harnessing their resources and strength towards building a robust and virile community. Since its inception, the Nigerian American Multicultural Community (NAMC) has made firm and indelible imprints on the socio-economic advancement of the community.
Mrs. Yemi Koyejo of Delphi Ventura Group, a Houston based firm of Petroleum and Energy Consultants, cited challenges faced by the group over the last decade and also stated the NAMC’s renewed commitment to its fundamental values.
Mr & Mrs Lawal
“The last ten years have been challenging, but we are thankful to have made it this far. We look forward to another decade of robust plans and programs that will place NAMC on the pathway of becoming a leading voice in the provision of educational opportunities for the underprivileged, cultural exchange program and ensuring we have a unified Nigerian- American community in Houston, Texas and beyond.”
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From the glibness of the DJ to the theatrical savvy of the MC, down to the sonorous music by the award-winning Simi Kosoko, the ballroom of the Westin Galleria on Gessner Road, which played host to dignitaries, high profile names, and captains of industries, the atmosphere could not have been more apposite, germane and altogether fitting.
Simi Receiving The Award
The event’s highlight was the recognition of certain individuals for their extraordinary contribution to humanity through their exploits and unyielding resolve to make the world a better place.
Of course, it was no coincidence that Attorney Omotayo Jamiu Lawal. (O. J. Lawal) made the list of the awardees, given his exemplary antecedents and his unwavering commitment to the cause of humanity.
Against all odds, the legal luminary has never hesitated to bend over backwards to accommodate others or lend a helping hand to his friends, colleagues, associates, mentees and even acquaintances. For him, helping others ascend the ladder is a code, a way of life, a creed.
OJ, as he is fondly called, despite the demanding nature of his profession, has never flaked on his responsibility to the community. Many years of guiding youngsters have seen him rack up a legion of mentees who have become contributing members of society.
Mrs Koyejo
In an interview with Eko Hot Blog, the unassuming O.J. Lawal attributed his moderate success in life to his faith. According to him, his faith in Islam has been a guiding light that has provided him with the clarity to navigate through the murky labyrinth of life.
He said, “I thank Allah (SWT) for the journey so far, His divine blessing, grace and protection. My wife, Oluwatoyin Sekinat, has been the pillar of support and the foundation upon which my entire life rests; I owe her a debt of gratitude for being a stabilising force in my life. Of course, my children’s role in keeping me in check cannot be quantified.”
“Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to meet great men, women, friends and family members who have helped shape my life, and to them, I am eternally grateful. This award is refreshing and evergreen, and I thank the organisers for the Award,” he concluded.
Ms Abby Kotun
With 46 years of contribution to the development of Houston and the Nigeria-American community, the Lifetime Achievement Award could not have been more fitting.
The Isale Eko born Attorney (attestation to his Lagos indigenous root) came to the USA in1976 in search of the proverbial golden fleece, which he has since captured and has devoted much of his material and intangible resources towards helping climb the ladder of success.
A founding member of Eko Club Houston and Eko Club International, he served meritoriously in various capacities as the President, a board member and chairman of the board of directors, respectively, from the organisation’s inception until the end of his term in 2005. Since the end of his term in 2005, he has continued to contribute his resources and intellectual savvy towards the growth of the organisation.
Also, O.J. Lawal has served as the Chairman of the Board of Prudence Magazine – “The Pulse of Africa,” from 2006 through 2010; Treasurer on the Board of Directors of SHED, a nonprofit organisation, dedicated to catering for Houston’s homeless population. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mumineen Foundation, a Muslim Organisation, and an active member of Mumineen Masjid, further testimony of his steadfast commitment to the Islamic faith.
Mumineen Foundation’s focal goal is to provide scholarship, leadership, and volunteerism to young Muslims. Some of the youngsters who are beneficiaries of the foundation are now model citizens who are pitching in their heroic contributions towards the good of their various
Communities.
Beyond his characteristics as a remarkable human being, OJ Lawal is also an ardent lover of knowledge, evidenced by his numerous academic exploits borne out of an insatiable desire to acquire knowledge and deploy it for the good of humanity.
Some of his academic accolades include:
O.J. is also a Certified Public Accountant and an Attorney in the State of Texas.
He is married to the delectable Sekinat Lawal, also known as Lady T, a phlegmatically powerful woman who has given expression to the notion of the better half in every sense of the word.
Through his exploits in Tax, Business and Management Advisory Services, Immigration Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury, OJ continues to serve humanity with passion, commitment and an unswerving resolve to contribute his fair share to the table of life.
But the night did not only belong to this stout patriot. It was a night when many stars littered the skies, shining brightly like the ounce of good left in the world to battle the pitch blackness of evil that seeks to ensnare our world.
These stars were the other awardees who bagged recognition for various contributions to Houston and the Nigerian community by extension.
Clara Igwala Anumege is another pride of Houston whose contribution to the Nigerian community goes back to her teenage years. Clara today is 29, and she is unrelenting in her dream and quest for a better and more cohesive Nigerian community.
She was duly awarded the 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for her enterprising spirit and the gumption to retell Nigeria’s story in a positive light.
Kemi Yemi Eze is a Nigerian and a visual artist who, despite being dealt a cruel hand by life following a near-tragic accident that left her paralysed and wheelchair-bound, saw a window of opportunity to set the ball in motion towards realising her dream instead of seeing the wheelchair as a setback.
She is today a successful therapist and a strong defender of the rights of the disabled. She was the recipient of the Overcomer Award.
Akiniyi Adoyo is a Kenyan-born philanthropist whose passion and commitment to promoting African culture and the infusion of her resources towards its realisation earned her the Humanitarian Award by the Kenyan community. She was awarded the Volunteer of the Year.
The 2022 Image Award went to Simisola Ogunleye Kosoko, also known as Simi, for her contribution to the music industry. Simi, despite an early setback in life caused by her parent’s divorce, worked exceedingly hard to make it to the apogee of the music industry, smashing records en route to becoming one of the most prominent music artists in our nation’s history.
Ufuoma Ojumah, an oil and gas magnate, went home with the Officer of the Year Award.
On the choice of the theme of the 2022 edition of the award, “Against all odds”, Mrs Diran Willougby, in an interview with Eko Hot Blog, said the lives of the awardees, the challenges they faced in their lives and their determination to succeed, snatching victory after victory from the jaw of failure mirrors the theme.”
“The award is about their doggedness, their resilience and the determination to make it to the top of the ladder of success despite all odds,” she concluded.
It was indeed a night of fun and excitement at the Westin Memorial City. Simi dazzled and captivated the audience with stagecraft and performative ingenuity that aptly illustrated why she’s one of the most sought after artists in Nigeria and perhaps beyond.
Congratulations to all the awardees and the organisers of the NAMC 2022 Award and Fundraising Gala Night.
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