Life is not a bed of roses as the saying goes, but in reality, it is fair when you have parents who can lead you during your childhood age. It is not about finance only, but potential discovery. Just like yesterday the dream of being a Lawyer is now a close chapter, but how to meet my expectations with other God-given potentials to be a celebrated personality. Why Law! My interest in law started from childhood when i had flair for mental argument, writing, drawing and love for Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN)’s efforts with Femi Falana SAN, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, Frank Kokori, Beko Ramsome Kuti and others during military era. l could remember, i sneaked out during June 12 annulment of presidential election in 1993 to stay with people burning tyres on Apapa-Oshodi Express way and sneaked back at age of 13. The looming crisis led to my first poem “Night of Gunfire” in 1994. Another crisis arose during Abacha regime till his demise with Late Chief MKO Abiola. Although, I was passionate about arguing on different points even when i knew i was wrong then, yet a strong passion for justice, to contribute not only to governmental issues but also law profession prompted my choose for Law rather than Mass Communication. Even when my father died before my admission to study Law, I still struggled to ensure I gained admission to LASU through last list of admission, about a month to first semester exams. It was not as easy as pie to manage little monthly pocket money of #5,000.00K on food, photocopies, hand-outs and other expenses. Going to Law school was God’s intervention to pay all necessary fees and fortunately, I still purchased a compulsory Laptop, LG Laptop of #120,000.00k from voluntary donations to support little money from my father’s estate. The way I was trained from home and street credibility from our Oshodi environs, I was able to cope at Law School in Lagos.

My zeal for law profession made me to start earlier in terms of law attachment; sitting inside court rooms from 400 level and starting my law firm after one year of employment under a law firm at Ikeja in 2012.

It was really hard trying to survive as a young Lawyer on a private practice. From meeting clients at home, or court before sharing office with a senior colleague. It requires ability to convince clients with your legal service delivery. I remembered in 2012, I added free legal services to certain individuals including some celebrities. In 2013, I added book writing to it so in 2014, I accepted to be a law columnist with Hallmark Newspaper now Business Hallmark through recommendation. The column had to stop during restructuring of the newspaper pages in September 2015. I made 42 publications with 34 topics. I was encouraged more when an award-winning Publisher, Presenter and Public Speaker, Mimi Oganga called me on my birthday in August 17, 2014 to wish me happy birthday and also commended my being a young law columnist and a young Lawyer to devote time on weekly column. A hug from a SAN at Federal High Court, Ikoyi about my column and encouraging aspect of the column was that, some of my legal writings were reference points to my book.

On the other hand, I never shun my continuous composing of poems which I started during my Junior secondary school days at the age of 14. My offering Literature as a subject nurtured the professional aspect of being a Poet. Besides, composing different types of poems, i have a unique type of poem as a lawyer which i published first in The Nations Newspaper in 2008 through exclusive interview. I have my poems on international websites and newspaper.

As regards, law practice and office management – Law practice and managing a law firm are really challenging considering monthly expenses, building a library, maintaining equipment, not having stable income, let alone collecting salary, clients’ attitudes, economic situation, ability to be strictly professional in charging good professional fees, corruption, conflict with religious belief and other unforeseen event. Since the commencement of our office, we are able to play draw where we could not win cases by securing Consent Judgments satisfactory to our clients. Clients satisfaction is the priority once it is not against the law and my religious belief. But our application had been struck out this year on advice of a Judge to withdraw. It was painful because I knew, it was supposed to be a fresh suit to challenge a Consent Judgment, but I used a motion because the Client agreed to it and insufficient fund to pursue a fresh suit. This was my first regret in litigation! I am still hoping for my kind of law firm with various departments to handle specific matters. I wanted to add Notary Public to it this year, but owing to delay since last year October. Thank God, the application for it has been approved only to pass through other stages now.

On benefits from law practice, legal orientation through media, writing and poem, I will say consistency in practice; adding value to services rendered; clients satisfaction which paved ways for recommendation of our service to people; free legal writings on column; free legal advice and services attracted appreciation, advice, criticism and awards in three States such as Lagos State, Abuja and Kaduna State. One for service to Oshodi community, one for my column, two for contribution to entertainment industry, one for legal personality of the year at NGO award event and lastly, one for enterprising legal icon. I have privilege to have received awards with great personalities such as Amb. John Fashanu, Former AIG, Leo-Stan Ekeh (Chairman, Zinox Tech), Femi Aderibigbe (Kwame),(Chairman Orisun & Nigezie TV), Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Toyin Ibitoye, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, AY, Don Jazzy, Godwin Enakhena, Davido, Yemi Alade, Kiss Daniel and many others. I still have a lot to do if I will have the privilege to get award for my poetry work. Really, I tried to publish my poems in 2008 but no finance and publishing companies claimed that I was not an established and known poet.

Hmmm, on regret – I believe in God’s will but let me make comment on this regret issue. I was not able to complete my first novel full of suspense in 2000. I didn’t summarise it so I forgot the conclusion so I had to give up when I was already a law student – Why novel, except the one that has to do with law. Also, the motion issue I mentioned above. That is all! I may not have achieved my expectations in law profession and other potentials, but I am not forgetting my little contributions that was appreciated. I am restless on pressure from my readers and my ability not to disappoint Judges, Magistrates, SAN and those monitoring my legal writings and research. I have sacrificed for my profession more so this year looks like personal life achievement than greater, seen efforts on law and my potentials. The reason I could not forget my past feminine relationships.

With humility, I have to stop here to rush to court on office duty. To stress further, i am still proud of this profession and I am happy to see another year of being called to Nigerian bar in November 2009. Keeping hope alive on all my activities with no readiness to give excuse no matter the circumstances or recession because it can only be a delay! Thank God and thanks to you!