By Nkechi Eze
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Professor Grace Chidozie Ononiwu, CBE, on her historic appointment as the first Black African Director-General of Legal Services in the United Kingdom.
In an official statement signed by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa described Prof. Ononiwu’s appointment as a remarkable milestone and an inspiration to Nigerians at home and abroad.
According to her, “Prof. Ononiwu’s excellence, resilience and professionalism embody the very best of our global citizens. We celebrate her trail-blazing achievement and look forward to even greater heights.”
Dabiri-Erewa noted that Prof. Ononiwu’s appointment reflects the outstanding contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora who continue to excel across various fields globally, particularly in leadership and public service.
Prof. Grace Ononiwu, a seasoned solicitor and Chief Crown Prosecutor, currently serves as the Director General of Legal Delivery at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the UK.
Born to Igbo parents and raised in East London, she qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and has since built an illustrious career within the UK’s justice system. Over the years, she has championed equality, diversity, and representation, serving as Chair of the National Black Crown Prosecution Association.
Her distinguished career has earned her several honours, including an OBE in 2008 and a CBE in 2019. She was appointed a Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire, which named one of its buildings after her in 2022. She has also featured multiple times on the UK Power List and was named Woman of the Year in 2020.
The NiDCOM boss said Prof. Ononiwu’s trailblazing journey stands as a shining example for young Nigerians and Africans everywhere, reaffirming the global impact and excellence of the Nigerian diaspora community.
