By Reginald Udom

In this era of hybrid working, Thursdays are the new Fridays! It’s Thursday late afternoon, the perfect time for another inspiring story.

Four Thursdays ago, amid our rebranding celebrations, I took a trip down memory lane and shared some incredible moments from the early days of ALN Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode. The response was mind-blowing! Many were amazed to learn how our firm has not only held onto its founding members but also grown and nurtured a dynamic team from its youth academy.

Today, let’s turn the spotlight on a stellar product of that youth academy – my partner and friend turned brother, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN.

Chukwuka, a bona fide “AO hero”, started and dedicated his career from NYSC at our firm, with only a brief pause for an exceptional LLM at Columbia University, where he emerged as the Harlan Fiske scholar in his set.

His AO journey? Nothing short of meteoric – from NYSC Associate in 2002 to partnership in 2011. Currently, he steers the ship of our Tax Practice, advising a prestigious clientele that includes IOCs, banks and multinationals.

But Chukwuka doesn’t just decode tax laws; he contributes to elevating our profession. Elected Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch in 2017, his impactful tenure birthed enduring legacies like the continuing legal education initiative, now adopted nationwide. In 2020, he earned the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a true testament to his legal prowess.

Now, as the Chair of the Security Agencies Relations Committee of the NBA, Chukwuka fosters collaboration between lawyers and security agencies in Nigeria. His results-driven approach recently earned him a distinguished award for outstanding services to the Bar at the last NBA Lagos Branch annual dinner.

With preparations buzzing for the next Nigerian Bar Association presidential election in June, all eyes are on the horizon, filled with admiration for what lies ahead for a remarkable leader like Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN. #ManLikeChuka #LegalTrailblazer #RoleModel

• Mr. Udom is the Managing Partner of Tier-1 law firm, ALN Nigeria, formerly Aluko & Oyebode

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