First Class Diary: My Parents Exposed Me to the Law Profession- ENA

Hello my amazing readers, how was our week? Trust it was great. The year has been such an amazing year with series of events. Still, we’re grateful to God for thus far.

To wrap up this month, we’re featuring a guest from University of Abuja, Elizabeth Nginan Ayua. So, the question to you is, who or what exposed you to your profession?

In her words,

for every academic training, there should be two phases: the theoretical and the practical, both of which students must be trained and tested.

Enjoy!

Abigael Ibikunle of Edugist: Please share with Edugist, a little about your background.

Elizabeth Nginan Ayua: I am Elizabeth Nginan Ayua, christian, female, I’m in my twenties, and I hail from Benue State, Nigeria. I’m a law graduate of University of Abuja where I emerged as the best graduating student of my set. Interestingly, I am the first ever student in the history of the University to make a first class in law.

Also, I am the co-founder of The Potter’s Children Global Foundation. My team and I provide free education, feeding, healthcare and general care needs for indigent and internally displaced children. I have a general zeal for excellence and I’m blessed with the ability to attain such.

AI: Was there any motivating factor(s) that influenced your choice of discipline and institution?

ENA: Both parents of mine are lawyers, so I was exposed to the legal profession in my tender years. Since then, I have aspired to become a lawyer.

As for institution, there was no significant factor that influenced my choice besides that I did not want to school far from home.

AI: There are two major skills that every student must possess: COMPETENCE and PERFORMANCE. While competence revolves around skill acquisition, performance is much more concerned about skills application. It is believed that most graduates are competent because their academic performance testifies to this, but they are performance-challenged. This poor performance ipso facto hinders them from getting lucrative jobs in the labour market. What can you say about this assertion?

ENA: I do not totally agree with the logic adopted in this assertion. This is because a lot of factors come into play when examining competence and performance vis-a-vis lucrative employment or any employment at all, in Nigeria.

AI: What do you think is responsible for competence without performance? Please suggest ways of improving the performance level of university students and graduates

ENA:

I’d say that for every academic training, there should be two phases: the theoretical and the practical, both of which students must be trained and tested.

The method of training in Nigeria, in most institutions, focuses more, in some cases only, on theoretical training. So, what students get is knowledge, without training on how to actually apply this knowledge.

That application of knowledge to me is “performance” in the sense that you have described it as “skill application.” What are the skills necessary for a particular course or profession? Do the students know them? Are they trained and tested on them? If they are not, which of course is the case many a times, then what kind of graduates are institutions churning out?

AI: Achievement in life transcends one’s personal efforts. There were people who, during your programme, rendered some assistance that made your dreams a reality. Who are specific persons whose contribution you can’t forget in your first-class feat?

ENA: I must mention my wonderful parents especially my mother. Also, my siblings, especially my immediate elder sister, Comfort, who was dogged in encouraging me and ensuring that I had a smooth academic journey.

I also must recognise my amazing lecturer, Dr. Mohammed Etudaiye, Associate Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Abuja. He always encouraged me to fight the good fight that resulted in my record breaking feat.

My first-ever first-class feat cannot be talked about without me mentioning these names – Abiola Samuel Olayeri and Jemimah Eitokpah, my boyfriend and best friend, respectively who stood as pillars to my success.

AI: As a first-class graduate, are you currently gainfully employed?

ENA: I have not entered the labour market yet. I’m currently undergoing my youth service. So, I cannot provide an accurate answer to this.

AI: Do you think your grades have or is giving you any major advantage over other graduates with lesser grades?

ENA: Yes, I think so.

AI: For students who aspire to graduate with outstanding grade like yours, what would you advise them?

ENA: I advise that they keep up the faith, not to lose hope. Avoid distractions and be sure to pray, if you believe.

AI: What would you advise the government to do to improve the standard of our education system?

ENA: A lot, so much has to be done to revamp the education system in Nigeria. To begin to answer this will have me write out an entire essay. I must mention, however, that Nigeria needs to invest in academic infrastructure, academic reward for excellence, to encourage diligent students, academic digitisation to enhance learning, routine trainings for teachers and lecturers, etc. I will sum it up in these few words – Nigeria needs to prioritise education.

AI: Any other thing you would like to share?

ENA: To whoever comes across this, do not succumb to pressure. Give everything that is worth it your best shot. Aim for excellence and work towards it, because it is achievable. This may require you to rearrange your priorities. And trust me, it will be worth it in the end.

Don’t give up!

That’s it on the series for the week. Hope you had a swell time reading?

To be featured on the series, please send a mail to Abby

I am Abigael Ibikunle and celebrating excellence is a top priority for me.

iTeach, iSpeak, iTrain, iFacilitate, iWrite, iInterview and iLoveYou all. Smile! See you next week!