Republication of the maiden episode of our milestone series from 2023 archives.
On this maiden episode of Fecundus' Milestone Series, we have an exclusive interview session with two Nigerian lawyers - Gilbert Obichere, Esquire and Uzochukwu-Obi Chima, Esquire who recently emerged with first class honours from the Nigerian law school. This is quite a phenomenal feat given the perceived circumstances surrounding the Nigerian Law School and the Bar Final examinations.
This interview session explores some of their experiences at the Nigerian law school and gives insight into how they were able to overcome some of their major challenges. Not only is this useful to aspiring lawyers, it is also a gem of great value to everyone who is interested in achieving success in one endeavor or the other.
PROFILE OF GILBERT OBICHERE, ESQ.
Gilbert Obichere is a recent graduate of the Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus where he graduated with First Class. He acquired a Law degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka graduating with Second Class Upper Division. He has interned with White & Case LP and S.I. Okpara & Co/Goodnews Law Chambers. He possesses great research and writing skills. Some of his research works are published on Fecundus Magazine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Law Review and Amazon.
PROFILE OF CHIMA UZOCHUKWU-OBI, ESQ.
Chima John Uzochukwu-Obi obtained his LL.B. qualification from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, graduating with First Class Honours and as the best student in the department of International Law and Jurisprudence. He went on to the Nigerian Law school where he also graduated with First Class Honours.
Chima maintains an active interest in a wide range of practice areas including Corporate Practice, International law, Capital Markets, and Intellectual Property law amongst others. He holds several certifications in this regard and has considerable experience researching and working in these practice areas. He currently works as an Associate at G. Elias, a top-tier law firm in Nigeria.
Chima is an experienced researcher and writer. During his time at the university, he served as an Executive editor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Law Review.
INTERVIEW SESSION
GILBERT OBICHERE, ESQ:
Fecundus: How does it feel to make a first class from the Nigerian Law School, graduating top 2% in a class of six thousand students?
Gilbert: It feels great. You know, the feeling you get when your hard work pays off.
Fecundus: You graduated with a first class at the Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus, despite making a second-class upper division at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, Anambra State. What did you do differently in law school?
Gilbert: I simply worked till the end. I made sure to keep reading till I wrote the final exam. In my University days, I maintained a CGPA of 4.5 and above till my fourth year. I could have made a first class but I was distracted. I stopped working and stopped believing.
Fecundus: Were you at any point worried that you might not make a first class after all the hard work?
Glibert: Yes I was. For the most part of journey, I worried that my efforts may be in vain. This was part of my doom in the University days. But the difference in Law School is that I knew I had nothing to lose. I already had a plan B if it didn't work out.
Fecundus: What was your plan B?
Gilbert: My plan B was to forget about corporate law practice and settle for the traditional legal practice. I planned to go on pupillage and learn the ropes. I would then go on to establish my own firm. I already have seniors in the profession that I can call upon, they were also part of my success story as I was a law school extern in their firm. Persons like Barr. C.C Onyekanne and Barr. J. L Okoro. It's still my Plan B. Infact I want to have my own firm.
Fecundus: But your answer presupposes that the only road to corporate law practice is making a first class in Law school, doesn't it?
Gilbert: No. You need great results to be there. Either from Uni or Law school. Not necessarily first class. If I didn't make a first class, my plan B comes into play.
Fecundus: What were your toughest moments at law school?
Gilbert: I'm not sure I had anything like that. I guess all the moments I tried to navigate the big textbooks I had were very tough. But I'm grateful to God for having succeeded.
Fecundus: Can you describe how you felt when you received the news about your final result at law school?
Gilbert: I could not believe it at first. I thought, for me to have a first class, then every other person had a first class. It's not that I'm not bright but I rarely believe in myself and my capabilities. After the exams, I believed that it would be miraculous for me to get a first class and I still think it's a miracle.
Fecundus: So you do believe in miracles?
Gilbert: Yes, I do believe in miracles. I believe that when inexplicable, remarkable and unexpected things happen to me, those things are simply miraculous.
Fecundus: What impact did having a first class have on you; did it change your mindset or inspire you to do more?
Gilbert: Yes it did. I am now focused on attaining greater heights. The results is more or less a pedestal on which I can stand and aspire for more. Right now I want to go out there and meet the best of minds, understudy them, so I can achieve my personal and career goals.
Fecundus: Was graduating with a first class at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, your initial plan?
Gilbert: Yes. Like I said before, I could have made it of I hadn't been stupid along the way.
Fecundus: Lol.
Fecundus: Was Law your idea or was it based on consultation and advice from your parents or friends?
Gilbert: Law was basically my idea. Though I didn't really think it through at the time. We had a career session in my secondary school days with everyone mentioning what they want to be in future. I chose Law because I wanted to stand out, have a different answer. I also think Law is the greatest course in the humanities track. My Dad also wanted me to study law.
Fecundus: What can a prospective Law student or one currently studying Law do to excel academically?
Gilbert: The short answer is "read". Don't get distracted like me. Wait till the finish line, it doesn't matter what happens after the finished line. You will experience the pains of regret if you stop halfway. Regrets are very painful, from experience.
Fecundus: Do you think attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University contributed to your success in the Nigerian Law school?
Gilbert: Of course. Firstly, I wouldn't have gone to Law School if I didn't pass through Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka provided the foundation which enabled me to excel at the Law School.
Fecundus: Do you have any academic mentors that were helpful both in the university and NLS? If yes please give them a shout out.
Gilbert: I want to appreciate Barr. Joseph Agbata for answering my endless questions. I also want to Barr. Markanthony Ezeoha for his advice, he helped me choose the right textbooks for Law School.
Fecundus: Were you involved in extracurricular activities both in the university and Law school?
Gilbert: Yes I was in involved in several extracurricular activities. I was the Director of Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Law Review, the Group Lead, Justicia Chambers (Student Chambers), the Director of Finance, Innovation Law Club Africa, UNIZIK chapter. Head, Department of Information and Knowledge, LAWSA Career Development Centre. Senator, LAWSA Senate, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Mentor, LAWSA Career Development Centre Mentorship Programme.
Chairman, LAWSA Senate Committee on Legal matters.
I didn't get involved in extracurricular activities in the law school.
Fecundus: What do you think about the current state of Nigera's justice system?
Gilbert: Nigeria's Justice System occupies a pride of place in Africa. The Nigerian Bar is the largest in Africa. The Nigerian Law School is a model for other African Nations to emulate. Our law reports are filled with landmark cases in various aspects of human endeavour. However, we have a lot of improvements to do. Sadly the Judiciary is not fully independent of the Executive. The interference of the Executive in the functions of the Judiciary has to end, for us to achieve a stellar Justice System. One to be emulated by the world at large.
Fecundus: What are your hobbies?
Gilbert Law: I love to read. I also play video games. I am a Freelance writer so I love writing.
Fecundus: Are you disposed to offer mentorship to law students and bar aspirants? If yes how can you be contacted?
Gilbert: Yes. Though there's no greater advice that just "read", there are no shortcuts. I can be contacted on LinkedIn. Gilbert Obichere is my username.
Fecundus: Do you intend to specialize? If yes, what area of law and why?
Gilbert: Yes. I want to venture into Tech law. Though I have not straightened out the branch of Tech law. Maybe Data Privacy and Protection and Cyber security. The importance of niching down cannot be overemphasized. I certainly don't want to be the proverbial jack of all trades and master of none.
Fecundus: How possible do you think it is for someone who graduated without a first class in the university to do so in NLS?
Gilbert: It is very possible. The Law School is a clean slate. What one made in the University before coming to the law school rarely matters. What matters is what you do from the first day to the last day.
Fecundus: Do you have any role models in the legal profession?
Gilbert: Yes, my role model is Kenneth O. D. Okwor.
Fecundus: What is your best quote?
Gilbert: "Dare to dream"
CHIMA UZOCHUKWU-OBI, ESQ
Fecundus: How does it feel to make a first class from the Nigerian Law School, graduating top 2% in a class of six thousand students?
Chima: It feels like an accomplishment. I'm not sure I can characterize my feelings in any other way.
Fecundus: You graduated with a first class at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus and at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, Anambra State. How did you achieve such feat?
Chima: My opinion on this is that it was a combination of hardwork and the grace of God. I did a lot of work on my part and thankfully, things worked out well.
Fecundus: Were you at any point worried that you might not make a first class after all the hard work?
Chima: At the law school? I was certainly aware that things may not go as I wished even if I put in all the work. However, it wasn't exactly a source of worry but it was more of a reminder that I should do my best but manage my expectations.
Fecundus: What were your toughest moments at law school?
Chima: The week of exams was definitely the toughest moment. There's not even a close second.
Fecundus: Can you describe how you felt when you received the news about your final result at law school?
Chima: I felt ecstatic, then grateful. In the hours and days that followed, I felt more grateful than ecstatic.
Fecundus: What impact did having a first class have on you; did it change your mindset or inspire you to do more?
Chima: To my mind, the primary impact of my law school result is that a new standard has been set for me which I must try to live up to and surpass.
Fecundus: Was graduating with a first class at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, your initial plan?
Chima: Not at all. When I first got into the university, I had no grand plan to graduate with a first class. If I thought about it at all, it was only because the suggestion had been implanted in my head by some of the senior colleagues who had spoken to us, the first year students.
It was not until my third year I realized that I already had a good CGPA and that first class honours may be worth some deliberate effort. So, I put in deliberate effort.
Fecundus: Was Law your idea or was it based on consultation and advice from your parents or friends?
Chima: My decision to study law was more likely my idea than my parents. I was certainly expressing an interest in a legal career by the age of 7, however shallow and uninformed such interest was.
Between that time and when I enrolled at the university, I don't recall having any formal discussion or consultation with my parents or friends on my intended course of Study. The path of law just appeared to be the natural path.
Of course, it was not until I started my studies at the university that I discovered in more detail what a legal career entails. Fortunately, I was pleased with my discovery.
Fecundus: What can a prospective Law student or one currently studying Law do to excel academically?
Chima: Well, if you want to excel academically, focus on understanding everything contained in your curriculum. This may entail studying with materials other than the recommended materials. If you're chasing academic success, I don't recommend straying too far from the curriculum. Of course, if personal development is your goal, my suggestion will be different.
Fecundus: What is your best quote?
Chima: Well, I don't have a 'best quote' but one quote that I find to be profound is one by the American film critic, Roger Ebert who said:
"Life’s missed opportunities, at the end, may seem more poignant to us than those we embraced – because in our imagination they have a perfection that reality can never rival."
It serves, to me, as a reminder to take life's opportunities as they come, but at the same time to not dwell in regret over the missed opportunities.
Fecundus: Do you think attending Nnamdi Azikiwe University contributed to your success in the Nigerian Law school?
Chima: Surely, the formative years of my legal education were at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. My years at Unizik probably impacted my law school performance in more ways than I can mention.
Fecundus: Do you have any academic mentors that were helpful both in the university and NLS? If yes please give them a shout out.
Chima: Oh yes. I have to mention MarkAnthony Ezeoha. He offered guidance to myself and a number of other Bar II candidates throughout our stay at the law school. His tips and guidance helped in no small way to demystify Law school. I remain grateful to him.
Fecundus: Were you involved in extracurricular activities both in the university and Law school?
Chima: In the university? Yes. I participated in moot court competitions and I was the Lord Chancellor of Justitia Chambers. I also served as an Executive Editor for the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Law Review.
At the law school? Not so much. For better or worse, at the law school, I had a singular focus.
Fecundus: What do you think about the current state of Nigera's justice system?
Chima: I think it goes without saying that the justice system in Nigeria has its challenges. These challenges are not insignificant too. There are costly delays in the administration of justice and resolution of disputes. These delays are, in turn, linked to serious structural and financial inadequacies. Perhaps most fatally, there is a demoralising lack of confidence in the justice system among citizens and persons who have reason to interact with the justice system.
All these notwithstanding, I think it does help to remember that all countries have challenges in the area of justice administration and we can always learn from those who have had successes in handling those challenges.
Fecundus: What are your hobbies?
Chima: I like to read. I enjoy taking long walks. I also enjoy watching football.
Fecundus: Are you disposed to offer mentorship to law students and bar aspirants? If yes how can you be contacted?
Chima: I'm not opposed to mentoring law students. I . However, I cannot speak as to the scope of any such mentorship program presently.
Fecundus: Do you intend to specialize? If yes, what area of law and why?
Chima: There are certainly areas of practice in which I have particular interest including Capital Markets and International Trade. However, at this early stage of my career, I am more concerned about acquiring knowledge on a broad range of practice areas. I'm keeping an open mind.
Fecundus: How possible do you think it is for someone who graduated without a first class in the university to do so in NLS?
Chima: It is entirely possible. It isn't even a matter of speculation anymore. There are a lot of persons whose academic records reflect this.
Fecundus: Do you have any role models in the legal profession?
Chima: I'm satisfied to learn from and be influenced by everyone with an inspiring career. I don't have any one person I look up to.
Fecundus: What are your last words for this session?
Chima: For the law students out there: As far as your academic career is concerned, do your best, but ensure that your sense of self-worth and accomplishment is not inextricably tied to your academic achievements. There's too much about it that you cannot control.
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