It is no longer news that Babatunde John Kwame Ogala is one of the legal practitioners who has just taken the Silk. He was among the 72 legal practitioners who were sworn-in on December 14, 2020 by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko and elevated into the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
As a way of celebrating the recently confirmed title, the Lagos lawyer on Sunday 20th December hosted family, friends and business associates to a classy treat.
The reception was held at D’Podium International Event Centre on Adeniyi Jones in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos. The event hosted top guns in the legal profession and other works of life as they all converge to celebrate a jolly good fellow. Here are the highpoints of the reception party:
WHAT FAMILY & FRIENDS SAID ABOUT BABATUNDE OGALA
The event gave room for friends, family and business associates to extoll the values and the principles of the man of the moment, BK as he is fondly called. A lot of encomiums were showered on the accomplished lawyer and politician.
Those who know Honorable Babatunde Ogala in the political space described him as a lawyer and lawmaker who has shown great loyalty to the constituency he represents. They said “He’s proved to be a very good lawyer and politician. They said BK is well known in the political terrain that he became the Legal Adviser of the ruling party, APC. By this, he has proved that politics is not about mediocrity. They added that he is the first member of the Lagos House of Assembly to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Some said he’s a good friend who takes up a course and fight it to the end without knowing you. He is a man who can make light out of any situation.
Those very close to the celebrant spoke about his social lifestyle by saying “BK is a socialite who attends social gatherings. he’s fun to be with”. It was further revealed that he is a core Chelsea fan who doesn’t joke with the English Premier League football club’s matters.
Someone spoke about his being very adventurous that he ventured into royalty which later earned him the title HRM.
AT THE CUTTING OF THE CAKE
As a mark of celebrating the new feat achieved by Hon. Kwame, the cutting of cake was done by the celebrant with his beloved wife Honorable Justice Oyindamola Ogala, a Lagos High Court Judge and their children. The cake was cut after it was blessed in trinity and the guests chanted in unison “SAN”.
HOW THE TOAST WAS MADE
A toast to the achievement of the celebrant was anchored by Mr. Yomi Dada. Before proper toast, Mr. Dada spoke a bit about the political prominence of Hon. Babatunde Kwame. He said this earned him the post of the legal adviser of APC, the present ruling party in the country. The entire guests at the hall stood on their feet to make a toast in celebrating with the new SAN in their midst. This was followed by a felicitation song “ For he is a jolly good fellow…” being sung by guests.
BK GIVES REMARKS
Having listened carefully to the comments from family, friends and business associates, Hon. Babatunde Kwame reacted to some of the things said about him. He appreciated all groups and supportive friends who came to celebrate with him from far and wide. he appreciated members of his law firm, Babatunde Ogala & Co. for their diligence which has contributed to the feat being celebrated on the day. He also thanked those who were unaffordably absent. Meanwhile, he urges the elite in the society not to shy away from politics because of the evil the society say about politicians. He added that engaging in Politics is the best way to right the wrongs in the society. He said “if you leave the foolish to make your laws, they would make foolish laws the wise must obey”.
HOW ARA STOLE THE SHOW
Guests at the event were thrilled by Ara, the popular talking drum artiste as she gave an ecstatic performance that lit the atmosphere of the day. The Bandittude, an all-female live band also gave a classic display which added up to the glamorous experience at the event.
CELEBRANT FELICITATES WITH GUESTS
The celebrant went round the hall to felicitate with family, friends, politicians and business associates present at the event. he also took time to take pictures with some of them while dances to the songs of the Disk Jockey at the event.
ABOUT BK OGALA
BK is an accomplished lawyer. But many don’t know too much about him. He was born to the illustrious Ogala family in Lagos State on the 15th of July, 1961. He began his Elementary education in Lagos at the Holy Cross School from 1967-73 and proceeded to St. George’s College, Lagos from 1974-79 for his Secondary education.
Upon completion of his studies, he enrolled at the University of Jos, where he studied Law from 1980 to 1985 after graduating with Honors from the University, he went on to the Nigerian Law School where he graduated and was called to Nigerian Bar in 1986.
As a lawyer, the young Babatunde Ogala started his career with the prestigious Law Firm of Fonzzy Associates Limited, Lagos, continued in Chief Fola Akinrinsola & Co, Lagos, Femi Okunnu (SAN) &Co (Solicitors), Lagos to mention a few where he distinguished himself as a brilliant Legal Practitioner. As adventurous as ever, Mr. Babatunde established his own Law Firm in 1995, Babatunde K. Ogala & Co.
In 1997, Mr. Ogala stepped out and established the Law Firm of Babatunde K. Ogala, a Law Firm which grew in reputation for years.
In 2007 Mr. Ogala ventured into politics he was elected a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and was also the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Member of the Finance Committee; Committee on Public Accounts; Committee on Ethics, Protocol and Privileges; Committee on Human Rights and Public Petition; Committee on Infrastructure as well as several ad-hoc Committees a position he held till 2011.
In 2011, Mr. Ogala rebranded his Law Firm and named it Babatunde Ogala & Co.
In 2014, Mr. Ogala was the Consultant to the Lagos State House of Assembly and Conference of Speakers. He has also been a Resource person to the Houses of Assembly of Lagos and Kogi State on Constitutional matters.
In 2018, Mr. Ogala returned into Politics and became the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress a position he held till June, 2020.
Babatunde John Kwame Ogala is a Senior Legal Practitioner, Insolvency Practitioner and former Legislator with 34 years of hands-on experience.
He is a well-trained Legislator and Solicitor who has attended several training courses and seminars on allied matters at the World Bank and International Law Institute, both in Washington USA. He also attended courses at Thames Valley University, Slough London as well as in Kenya, Tunisia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, India, Canada, Singapore, United Arab Emirates and within Nigeria on varied subjects as Legislative Practices, Legislative Management, Legislative Drafting to mention but a few.
He is a member of the National Council of State Legislatures in the USA and has attended all its Legislative Summits from 2007 to date in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Louisville Kentucky and San Antonio Texas, in the USA. He also attended several International Bar Association Conferences and Seminars as well as Regional Fora on the Court Systems and Judicial Administration. Mr. Ogala has worked and consulted for International Agencies on Law Review and Reforms.
Mr. Ogala is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, African Bar Association, International Bar Association and the American Bar Association, Section on International Law. While serving as a legislator, he was a member of several standing and ad-hoc committees of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He has also attended training and seminars organized by USAID, UNDP, British Council, Centre for Management Development, DFID, SAVI and Human Development Initiative. He is married and blessed with children.
