Zenith Associates, a top tier student law firm practicing under the auspices of the University of Nigeria Student Bar Association (UNSBA) in partnership with Jireh & Greys Attorneys organized the maiden edition of the Norrison I. Quakers, SAN National Legal Writing Tourney having participants from across the country. The Tourney is sponsored solely by Mr. Norrison I. Quakers, SAN FCArb.

Mr. Norrison I. Quakers, SAN FCArb is an astute bibliophile, a member of the Inner Bar, a Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as a member of several professional bodies. He has been identified as one of the top 100 lawyers in Nigeria by City Lawyer Publishers and currently serves as the Principal Partner- Jireh & Greys Attorneys- https://jandgattorneys.com/principal.php

The sequence of the Tourney saw participants from across various law faculties in the country submit well-written essays which were adjudged anonymously in three phases viz: by the following renowned academics in the initial phase- Misbau Alamu Lateef Esq. PhD, Collins C. Ajibo Esq. PhD, Sandra Voda Ezoke Esq. ICMC, NICArb, and Ikenna C. Okoli Esq. LLM; distinguished lawyers in the second phase such as- Professor Joseph Abugu SAN, Professor M.T. Abdulrazaq and Mr. Seni Adio SAN, LLM; and finally by the amiable distinguished Judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria- Hon. Justice Nelson Ogbuanya LLM FCIArb. in the final phase.

The Grand Finale of the Tourney took place on Friday, March 26, 2021 on Zoom Platform in strict compliance with Covid 19 Protocols with a mentorship chat with the sponsor, Mr. Norrison I. Quakers SAN — a topping to the largesse for thirteen finalists having Certificates for Participation and the following prizes-

NGN200,000 for the first prize winner

NGN100,000 for the second prize winner

NGN50,000 for the third prize winner

NGN10,000 for each 10 runners up as consolation prizes

The theme of 2021 Edition of the Tourney is- “The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA): A boost to Nigerian commerce?”. Godanointing Aderibigbe, a law student from the prestigious University of Ibadan emerged 1^st prize winner of the Maiden Edition getting the star prize of NGN200,000.

UNSBA operating under the umbrella body- Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), the national body of law students association prides itself on being the leading professional law students body modelled after the Nigerian Bar Association with the objective of preparing law students towards the path of professional excellence. Zenith Associates, a top tier student law firm therein had spare headed the Tourney under the watch of Mr. Emmanuel Edet.  The Tourney serves as another giant stride in advancing the course of law, through legal skills, being the motto of the Firm of the sponsor – Jireh & Greys Attorneys.

The annual Tourney is aimed primarily at providing law undergraduates with the platform to learn and engage legal research skills and scholarship. This is the first of its kind— cutting across 54 law faculties throughout the federation. Details of the Tourney and information for subsequent editions can be found at – https://quakerslegal.com/

Report Compiled by Michael O. Ogunjobi Esq, LLM