24-Year-Old Nigerian Law Student Wins Prestigious Princess Diana Award

Onyinye Omenugha has received the prestigious Lady Diana Award which annually honours outstanding young persons in the United Kingdom and around the globe.

The award established in memory of the late Princess Diana of Wales recognizes people between the ages of nine and 25 who have done remarkable things which affect humanity positively, in the tradition of Prince Diana.

Omenugha, a 24-year-old student at the Nigerian Law School was amongst over 180 young people across the world who received the award on Friday, June 30.

Moved by the experience of a relative, she received the award in recognition of her nongovernmental organisation (NGO), Lawsanaid, which she founded to assist law students with disabilities to obtain quality and inclusive education.

Her NGO’s mission aligns with the work of other exceptional recipients of the Diana Award who have demonstrated their ability in service to humanity and inspire and mobilize new generations to serve their communities; fostering a long-lasting change on the global scene.

Onyinye hails from Nnobi in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State – Nigeria.

She is the last child of Dr. Mike Omenugha, a medical practitioner, and Dr. Kate Azuka Omenugha, Nigeria’s second female mass communications professor, who lectured at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and served as the Anambra State Commissioner of Education for eight years.

Though yet to be called to the Nigerian Bar, Onyinye is a certified arbitrator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Mediation and Conciliation.

Onyinye has attended many local and international courses and conferences, including the ones organized by the United Nations, the European Union, and Harvard University.

The Diana Award was created in 1999 by a board chaired by British Prime Minister Gordon with former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and ex-Scottish First Minister, Jack McConnell, among the patrons.

PPresidential Candidate, Peter Obi on Monday, July 10, 2023 took to Twitter to celebrate Onyinye.

I congratulate and rejoice with Miss Onyinye Omenugha @OOmenugha, a 24-year-old Nigerian who just won the prestigious Diana Award, usually conferred on outstanding young persons in the United Kingdom, and around the globe. pic.twitter.com/sAoFe7t80U

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) July 10, 2023