I CELEBRATE MY MENTOR, BIG BROTHER, AND BOSS, GEORGE ETOMI AT 70!
Today, I join the world to celebrate the iconic George U. Etomi, the father of business law in Nigeria and a super mentor of many young men and women in the legal profession.
He is known to some as GUE, others GE, Uncle George, and his paddymen as Georgie….. Whichever name you know him by, all would agree that he’s a wonderful person, an amazing gentleman, a loyal friend, an accommodating boss, a great intellectual with profound depth, and so much more. He’s a master strategist, a connoisseur of key business and legal facts, information, and knowledge. Should we speak of his collection of life lessons and wise counsel, which he dishes out generously for those who care to ask? Or the humility and patience that become him so well?
Indeed George U. Etomi is an iconic figure, and stands tall in the legal profession today for many reasons I cannot begin to mention, save to recall that he first began raising the awareness on globalisation of legal services at the 2006 conference of the NBA Section on Business Law and continued to engage in the negotiations for an acceptable and mutually beneficial landing point for the Nigerian and foreign jurisdictions.
I join the world to celebrate you, today my mentor for life. The man who opened my eyes to many possibilities and opportunities in the legal profession, helped me build confidence by entrusting me with important tasks and believing in me. From him, i learnt the importance of mentorship and decided to follow his lead. Sir, I cannot thank you enough for your continuous mentoring, guidance and support over the years. But today, I pray that God Almighty grants you length of days in good health and strength and that He endows you with even greater wisdom and knowledge to continue to build legacies for generations to come. Happy 70th birthday, GUE!
Cordelia U. Eke (Mrs)
Rivers State Representative, NBASBL Eastern Zone Management Committee;
Editor in chief NBASBL BUSINESS LAW NEWS 2007-2010. Past Secretary, NBA Port Harcourt Branch,
