This season heralds the donning of new wigs and gowns in Nigeria, and beneath the smiles, hugs, and high-fives lie a myriad of emotions.
Each of the newly called lawyers has a different tale to tell. As he wears his smile graciously in the hall among others being called, FK cannot contain his true joy. He has been fortunate. Hailing from a privileged home with caring parents, he had access to funds, food, clothes, and much-needed academic materials throughout his university days until now. His employment is guaranteed, as his parents have made all arrangements for him to join the family's successful law firm. In his mind, the future shines brightly.
Poverty punctuated every step of his studies
On the contrary, TT smiles amidst the struggles he has endured. Poverty punctuated every step of his studies. From a humble background, his parents struggled to raise funds for him. Despite their efforts, they never managed to raise enough. To survive, he engaged in odd jobs, assisted his affluent classmates with chores, and sought financial assistance from friends and relatives. He recalls the frustrations of borrowing suits, shirts, ties, and shoes for law dinner functions. He sits here, assisted by the support of his community. It was a challenging journey, devoid of godfathers or godmothers to offer him a soft landing. Yet, he remains determined and optimistic that with focus, integrity, brilliance, and hard work, he will succeed and break the poverty chain in his family, just like many successful lawyers he knows. He hopes that when he achieves success, his children will not use their wealth to oppress the less fortunate.
As she sits, smiling, she is grateful to have made it
For GS, she dubs herself a survivor. At every stage, she grappled with the urge to give up. The pressure was overwhelming. Should she yield or stand firm? It had nothing to do with cults or finances but everything to do with the pressure of sexual favors from those entrusted to protect, care for, and educate her. Some of them, at least. "Meet me at Hotel A" still echoes in her mind as a friend gives her a passing high five. She has no idea what she endured, nor does she comprehend the trials she faced. Her journey was far from easy. She suffered depression due to constant sexual advances and devised various means to evade her predators. Some of her classmates, she knew, succumbed, while others resisted. As she sits, smiling, she is grateful to have made it, but she acknowledges that her mission is far from over. She must advocate for many like her, victims of sexual harassment. However, she is grateful that with her certificate, she can send a message to others: they don't have to succumb.
HS, who battles sickle cell anemia, faced trials and rejections
AY recognizes that the struggle persists, fueled by her disability. To her, discrimination has become a part of her life. She endured mockery and dismissal at the hands of many, including "friends" and family members. "What future awaits a disabled person?" some would ask. She is perpetually troubled by the lack of access for people like her in public and private institutions. She has concluded that to many Nigerians, people like her are invisible. Yet, she is thankful to those who supported and encouraged her, including HS, sitting beside her in the graduation auditorium. HS, who battles sickle cell anemia, faced her trials and rejections. Through it all, they persevered. She looks at HS with a reassuring smile, silently conveying, "We will overcome."
"Thank you, Mom, Dad, mentors, and benefactors,"
BQ sits, lost in thought. He reminisces about the struggles that led him here. He recalls the disappointments of securing admission to study law at university. He nearly gave up. He remembers his parents and the promise he made to them: to become a lawyer. They were devout believers who prayed fervently for him. Unfortunately, the year he gained admission was the year they passed away. Life became arduous. He cried out to the Lord and sought solace from strangers. He networked, shared his struggles with responsible individuals he met, and made them his mentors. Temptations came knocking invitations to join cults, transport drugs, become a political thug, or engage in other illicit activities. Yet, he rejected them all, mindful of his parents' advice that "a good name is better than gold and silver." His integrity shone through, and strangers became his benefactors, embracing him as part of their families. His prayers were answered, and he became a lawyer. "Thank you, Mom, Dad, mentors, and benefactors," he whispered with a smile, tears streaming down his face. "I miss you, mom and dad. I wish you were here today, but I hope I have made you proud, and I will strive to excel further in practice. My integrity will remain intact, I promise," he vowed, biting his lower lip.
With a caring boyfriend by her side, life has been generous
ML reflects on her journey to this point. It wasn't poverty that drove her but the desire for more. She succumbed to peer pressure and sought to live a counterfeit life. Unlike some friends who turned to prostitution due to poverty, hers was a deliberate choice. She recalls the risks and abuses she endured for financial gain. There were many narrow escapes. "I could have perished at the hands of many.” As others stand applauding the speaker, ML sits deep in thought, resolved never to return to that life again. "I will establish an NGO to help people like me avoid such a lifestyle; that's my graduation gift to myself," she pledges silently.
DY, on the other hand, is simply grateful that everything unfolded smoothly. Her parents, alive and well, provided her with a nurturing upbringing, and she allowed their guidance to shape her path. While not affluent, they were not destitute either. Content with her circumstances, she never faced any form of abuse. With a caring boyfriend by her side, life has been generous to her, and she wishes herself a fulfilling journey as a lawyer.
As each of the new lawyers gets lost in their thoughts, they hear the speaker conclude his speech, "And so, as you venture into the world, I urge you all to make integrity your cornerstone, seek mentorship from the right people, ensure you network with fellow professionals that will enhance your career, balance work with life, spend wisely and invest in your future, relate with positive-minded people, improve your communication skills, keep learning, respect others notwithstanding their state in life, love your family and create room to be loved and to love, travel extensively, don’t neglect your family in your quest for success, shun procrastination, arrogance, corruption and anything that could tarnish the integrity of this noble profession. and pay attention to your health. May you be blessings to yourselves, your families, your profession, and your nation. May you enjoy long-lasting health. Congratulations, my learned colleagues."
With renewed determination and a sense of purpose, they step forward into the next chapter of their lives, carrying with them the lessons learned and the stories that shaped them.
Johnson Babalola, a Canada-based lawyer, leadership consultant, and corporate emcee, is a public affairs analyst. Follow him for discussions on real-life issues that affect us all.
Website: www.johnsonbabalola.com
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