FROM ENUGU TO OXFORD, INSPIRING STORY OF NIGERIA’S FIRST-CLASS GRADUATE
FROM ENUGU TO OXFORD: INSPIRING STORY OF NIGERIA’S FIRST-CLASS GRADUATE Odinaka Akpamgbo graduated with a First Class in Law from both Enugu State University and the Nigerian Law School, earning two national prizes. Now pursuing a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree at Oxford University on a full scholarship, he discusses his aspirations to make a global impact in law. What inspired you to achieve such academic excellence, earning double first-class degrees in law from Enugu State University and the Nigerian Law School, and what has been the key driving force behind your success? I consider myself fortunate to have been born into a family that highly values academic excellence. It was indeed a happy childhood, happier than most children would have been privileged to have, and I very well acknowledge that privilege. The privilege prevailed in the quiet city of Enugu. My last name was quite powerful, as I remember it, as my late great-uncle had been the Attorney-General of the Federation at some time during the less than popular military regime in Nigeria. Another uncle was also a recognized lawyer in Enugu, before his recent passing. Although I never saw or remained in touch with either of them (I may have seen my great-uncle once, I must have been a babe if I did) their legacy infused my childhood, at home and school; it must have also infused my elder brother’s, as he became a star and a great warrior on any academic battlefield earlier than I did. The point I labour to make as it now seems is that there were standards, and the standards were high. My surname symbolised legal power. What perhaps made it overkill was that I bore a fond passion to don a wig and a gown and argue like many women (and some men). It was overkill because when I attempted it, academic success was not elusive. It was like the shoes were there, and all I had to do was step into them. N/West Women Commissioners Advocate for Inclusion in Security Council Meetings to Address Regional InsecurityAlhaji (Dr) Abdulrahman Ado Ibrahim CON: The prince born to be kingI would be guilty of not being complete, if I did not state that I also possessed some base desires, and one of them was power. This was because I was often bullied by brutish boys, and gaining enough power in any classroom would tilt the power scales in my favour (and it did). Now that I am talking about it, I should state that although most of this happened in secondary school, I still recognise a simmering darkness in many men and a propensity to apply power for the oppression of weak(er) people, and for not benign reasons. The darkness is no better than cowardliness, no better than evil. At its basest form it is bullying by children of children; at its greatest form it ruptures the world and triggers wars. We must all fight against this darkness before it ruins our world more than it already has. And so, in lieu of it being imperative to uphold the legacy I had earlier stated as a matter of obligation, it was imperative to uphold it as a matter of necessity, and this did not change when I started my university education. My family provided me with a strong foundation, enabling me to identify my aspirations without being overwhelmed by vocational uncertainties. Yet, luck alone is insufficient; one must be prepared to seize opportunities. Being born in Enugu, as opposed to Western Nigeria and particularly Lagos, meant that I lacked advantage in exposure and information. To bridge this disadvantage, I had to exert additional effort throughout my academic journey. I should close this answer by saying that…
Dons Eze
