Sola POPOOLA
Renowned philanthropist and former Director General of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES),Barrister Sina Awelewa, wife of Lagos Lawyer/ humanrights activist ,Mrs Funmi Falana,SAN and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice ,Ekiti State ,Dayo Apata SAN were among eminent Nigerians bestowed with outstanding Awards of Excellence by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikere-Ekiti branch .
At the colourful event held at the Chief Wole Olanipekun Bar Centre on Saturday also featured the award of scholarships to some deserving students by one of the awardees, Awelewa, under Sina Awelewa Foundation.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman NBA ,Ikere-Ekiti branch, Dr Michael Afolayan disclosed the awardees have contributed in one way or another to the Association and humanity at large.
The NBA Chairman particularly acknowledged the immense contributions of Barrister Awelewa who he described as a foundation member of the branch and one of its pillars of support.
According to him, Barrister Awelewa had been consistent in his support to the growth and development of the Association over years and st sane time hugely given back to the society through the Sina Awelewa’s Scholarship and Empowerment Foundation
He disclosed that the foundation had given out more 15 vehicles ,hundreds of scholarships and cash gifts to some brilliant students, widows, aged and the less priviledged members of the society over years .
Responding, Barrister Awelewa who thanked the NBA leadership for recognition said the award would spur him to do more for the Associationand humanity.
He admonished the upcoming lawyers to be imbibe the spirit of dedication and honesty in the discharge of their duties .
Awelewa cautioned them against the get- rich -quick mentality saying such could put them their career in jeopardy.
He equally admonished the well-to -do and influential members of the society to attend to the rising menace of poverry in the land.
Barrister Awelewa commended Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his giant strides in governance but urged him to do more in fighting poverty at the grassroots .
” Today is one of my happiest days in life. I am grateful to the leadership of the NBA Ikere-Ekiti branch for recognising me even though, I am a foundation member .I have assisted members of this branch individually and collectively too and I am proud to be associated with Association.
“I have also given out scholarships to six students from Ilawe-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti as rewards for their academic performances.
Sina Awelewa Foundation has been given out scholarships to many students both at the secondary school level and tertiary institutions in the last few years .Many less privileged and the needy have been been empowered by the Foundation.
“I am doing this ,not beause I am that rich or looking for political gains,but God has blessed me in a miraculous way and feel I one of the ways to appreciate God’s grace upon my life is to touch lives.