Procession Of Lawyers  Attracted Me To Law Profession – First Class Graduate

This is the concluding part of the interview published last week.
What and who are your inspiration?
My main source of motivation is the woman I aspire to be. I have had a glimpse of her and I know she will be great. I have to keep doing all I can to actualise my purpose and potential, and in doing this, I am constantly encouraged and strengthened by my source, the Holy Spirit.
Closely related to this is my inclination for success, influence, and affluence. If I must make a change in my time, then, I have to find a spot at the top and spread the tentacles of my influence from there. Bearing this in mind, I am resolved never to settle for failure or mediocrity. I am always motivated to keep trying, working hard, and smashing my goals till I get there.
My parents (Ven. Dr. Ben Onu and Mrs Florence  Onu) are another major source of inspiration. They have invested so much in me that I can’t afford to allow their labour go to waste. I am resolved to make them proud and keep the family legacy going.
Another key motivation I had in aiming for a first class is my desire to further my studies abroad. My sister, who is also one of my mentors, Dr. Adanma Chrys-Chikere, advised me early enough to aim for a grade that would position me for scholarship opportunities and give me a better chance of being admitted to further my education outside Nigeria. This stood as a motivation, and I’m grateful to God for the success so far, believing that in due time, this dream will materialise.
Did you have a mentor/role model?
Yes, I did. Napoleon Richman Thommanuel (Esq) has been my mentor from Year 2 till date. As a senior colleague, he made it a point of duty to prepare me for each new level, session, and even semester. He was available to allay all my fears. There were times he would insist I go off the media to focus on my books, and sometimes I had to spend my holiday studying.  I also had some other senior colleagues along the line that were very helpful and supportive in boosting my morale and staying focused on the goal. One of them is Blessing Ohaka (Esq). She always and greatly fuelled my possibility mindset.
The earliest role model I have had is my aunt, Barr. (Mrs) Blessing Eddie-Amadi who is the first close image of a lawyer I conceived. Her drive and passion for success and humanity is highly admirable. She is one of the bravest and most daring women I know, as well as a goal-getter. She definitely fulfills the description of a woman of the people. Everything she does will always be for the greater good of those around her. She is the epitome of love, giving, and support. She is, without a doubt, a mother to me. I’m positive she’s on a road I’d like to pursue and even improve on.
For worldwide relevance, I also look up to Oby Ezekwesili, our Nigerian Idol. She exemplifies tenacity and virtue, and her quest for more inspires me every day. She is intelligent and ambitious. These are qualities I’m striving to emulate and instill. Her notion that there is more to being a woman inspires me, and I am determined to fully embrace my feminine power and potentials.
Ebizi Eradiri (Esq) is someone I also look up to, especially as a young lawyer. She changed a narrative and is now forging her own path through hard work and academic excellence. As a double first-class lawyer, she was one of my mentors while at the Nigerian Law School, and today, she is an evidence of every word of encouragement and possibility she instilled in me. As much as I celebrate her wins, I also aim to not just fly as she is but even higher. She has broken a number of biases, and she has inspired me to not limit myself by any self-inflicted or societal-based bias.
As someone who aspires to someday to be in the political sphere of influence, I admire people like Michelle Obama and Mrs Parker Odochi. I’ve seen ambition, support, and vigour for societal influence among these women. They exude an aura that I admire greatly.
What is your advice to anyone who wants to make it?
First and foremost, believe in yourself and your ability to accomplish everything you set your mind on. You are distinct, one-of-a-kind, and not empty, and it all begins with your mindset. You must cultivate a positive attitude toward yourself, your values, and your goals. I’ve always believed in myself as a trail blazer and this perspective will continue to drive me to never settle for less when I have everything it takes to be more. I remember back in secondary school when I was appointed the Head Girl. It remains one of my high moments in life because this was a position usually occupied by science students. But then, there was me, a student of the Arts Department, who changed the narrative. Even after being appointed, I had to remind myself that the legacy I owe those who come after me is to promote the notion that hard work and excellence pay. This is what I continue to do till this day.
Again, I’d say it all starts with how you think about yourself and your future. Failure will never be an option for you if you have a vision of who you want to be tomorrow. How far you can go or become is often determined by your mindset. Develop an attitude that corresponds to who you want to be and what you want to accomplish. Cultivate an attitude of possibility and reject any mindset that undermines your self-esteem. On the days when things don’t go as planned, you’ll need to rely on your burning passion to get you through.
It is not enough to simply believe or have the appropriate mindset. You must do the work and pay the price. Success does not always come cheap. You could lose friends, displease your pleasures, go MIA, leave your comfort zone, take on difficult tasks, abandon habits, and so on. Understand your timing too and quit unhealthy competitions. Find your niche and explore as much as you can, avoid procrastination and get to work right away.
Regardless of how depressing our country’s educational system appears to be, keep in mind that there are some doors that only academic excellence can open for you. Some people have made it because of their academic achievements. I’ve had a taste of it, and I’m currently working my way through it to the wider picture of my success. Never stop developing yourself. Grab the degree excellently, but you will also need the know-how to apply your degree to profitability. As an undergraduate, go for internships during your holidays to embrace the practical side of your course. If you can handle it, take up leadership positions to boost your CV. Thank God for the era of online courses. Take up as many relevant ones as you can enrol in during your spare time. In addition to capacity building, remember to make strategic networks. Attend conferences and connect with successful people in your field; learn from them.
What do you aspire to be now?
My aspirations have not exactly changed. They have only become bigger and clearer. I still look forward to building a career in the legal profession and maybe end up as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. This is not a static aspiration, though, as I am still at the early stage of my career and still exploring its nitty-gritties.  might develop an interest in the Bench over time.
I am also enthusiastic about teaching. Despite the fact that the Nigerian educational system is rather disheartening, I still hope to maybe become an academic someday. Maybe if the Bench doesn’t have me, I can double as an academic and a practising lawyer. This is why I am currently looking to further my studies with a Master’s Degree and, afterwards, take up a PhD in Law.
Finally, as the woman of influence I aspire to be, I am also interested in my entrepreneurship goals. I am open to establishing an entrepreneurial source of income over the years. The goal is to amass enough wealth to sponsor personal and humanitarian dreams. It has always been my aspiration to live a life that has an impact on my generation and the generations to come.I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout the years. My family, both nuclear and , especially Ezirim Ucheoma and a long list of friends.

By: Ibinabo Ogolo