‘A Lawyer Requires Resilience and Tenacity to Succeed’
Please, give a brief introduction of yourself
My name is Omuwa Amen Andrew-Uponi, Law Lecturer in the Department of Business Law, Faculty of Law, University of Benin. I have over ten years of teaching, and active cutting-edge research in Business and International Law issues. Additionally, I’m involved in property management. I am also an International Disability law enthusiast, with particular interest in women with disabilities. I am currently a Research Candidate at the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town, South Africa. More importantly, I am a wife and mother of three.
Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges?
Of course! University Lecturers have two main responsibilities: Teaching and Research, although sometimes, they are appointed to take up administrative assignments every now and then. Poor remuneration is a major issue, for those in the academia in Nigeria. Indeed, remuneration of lecturers, particularly in Federal Universities in Nigeria, is consistently a topic for national debate, with no near solution in sight. Compared to what obtains in other nations, and considering the overbearing academic responsibility with which they are saddled, the salaries paid to Lecturers in Nigerian Universities, are embarrassingly low. Consequently, many Lecturers lack the enthusiasm to impart knowledge to students. It has become common for many Lecturers to constitute themselves into “part-time” workers, by having to engage in other activities to realise extra income, in a bid to make ends meet. More disturbing is that, some Lecturers in Nigerian Universities, are forced by their financial predicament to completely abandon their teaching jobs, for other more lucrative opportunities within and outside the country.
Regarding legal research, the challenges are multifarious. Most law faculties in Nigeria are poorly equipped, basically. Specifically, Federal Universities’ environment in Nigeria, are characterised by unreliable power supply, inadequate and irregular funding of ICT initiatives, poor web accessibility etc. Even telephone facilities, are unavailable in offices! Again, quality research is almost rendered elusive for Lecturers as they are left with the option of using libraries filled with obsolete books and research journals.
Lecturers, who in attempt to escape the frustrations of researching in Nigerian Universities, decide to research abroad, are hardly assisted with funding. They have to hope for international research funding, or bear the crushing financial burden alone. What a sacrifice to make, for quality research! Little wonder most of the Lecturers choose to remain in those countries after the research, to eke out a living for themselves, instead of returning to their former jobs in the Nigerian Universities. The academia and the nation in general, continue to suffer brain drain as a consequence.
What do you consider to be, your worst day as a Lawyer?
During my years as a very young Lawyer, I was handed a case file by my principal to appear in court on his behalf. The idea was for me to go to court and take an adjournment, due to my principal’s inability to be in court on that given day.
Armed with the case file and diary, adjournment lines memorised, I went to court. After the case was called and appearances announced, I stood up as the Claimant’s counsel and confidently blurted out my plea for adjournment. Unknown to me, and unfortunately too, the case had been adjourned several times before.
The Judge, vehemently rejected my plea for adjournment. His Lordship insisted that, the case must go on this time! The opposing Lawyer, a Senior Advocate, indicated that he was ready with his defence. I began to fidget, palms sweating, all eyes were on me. It dawned on me, that I had barely read the file I was holding. The whole court was waiting. For me! After a few minutes of uneasy silence, I humbly asked the court for a ten minutes stand down. My reason was that, I had to go and get something from my car parked outside. The court graciously granted my plea. Once I got inside my car, and in confusion, I fled! I am still embarrassed, every time I tell the story..
What has been your most memorable experience as a Lawyer, so far?
My call to Bar was a very delightful experience, and a dream come true for me.
Who has been most influential in your life?
My late father, Professor Patrick Ehi Oshio, has been the most influential person in my life. He it was, who inspired me to study law. As a child, I quietly watched him with admiration as he practiced law, and excelled in so doing. My young mind was made up. Those days, I would proudly announce to my friends at school, how my dad is a Lawyer, and would sometimes show them his law books which I had snuck from my Dad’s study, as evidence (Dad always had a small library full of law books, in the house).
My father influenced and still does influence, every aspect of my career as a Lawyer and Lecturer. He always goaded me to success, by assisting and encouraging me in every way possible. Up till his demise last year, he would keep checking in on me, to ensure that I excel in my legal career.
Why did you become a Lawyer?
Foremost, the legal profession, is a very respectable and prestigious profession. It gives one the opportunity, to build professional bridges. As a
Lawyer, I have had several opportunities, to meet and interact with highly placed people. I have also been opportune to be in dignified places, which I would never have reached, but for the legal profession.
Apart from respect and prestige, law cuts across several fields, and the career opportunities are diverse. Lawyers feature in about any sector of the economy e.g academia, litigation, legal soliciting, real estate management, politics, judiciary, military, police force, companies, to mention a few.
Additionally, I saw a career in law, as an opportunity for lifelong learning.
What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?
Becoming a Lawyer is very noble and exciting, but there's more. Pursuing a career in law requires lots of reading, research, legal writing, and good logical reasoning. It is therefore, essential to develop very good comprehension, writing, research and analytical skills. For a career in pure litigation, it is advisable to first get pupilage experience from a mature law firm, in order to learn the essential legal ropes. Public speaking also, is an integral part of the legal profession. Lawyers must be able and ready, to address any audience or group of people with confidence and good vocabulary at all times, even in emergency.
Practicing law generally, also requires lots of resilience and tenacity. A good Lawyer must learn to persevere, and endeavour to keep going, no matter the odds. Patience is very important, for best results.
If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?
I don’t think I would have been better, at anything else. Law is just perfect, for me.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In the next ten years, I see myself becoming a Professor of International Business Law. I also aim to be an expert in Disability Law, and founder of a Disability NGO in the next ten years. Most importantly, I would like to mentor others, by using my legal experience to help them achieve their desired goals.