Why I became an Advocate, and Why I Studied Law 2

The Squad (Mustapha 'The Danger Butt', Christian 'The Groundnut Boy:, Zaid; 'Mama Amina') and I, Ethel, grew stronger and became better. We dedicated our break time to teach groundnut boy and to supervise whoever is teaching him in all the sessions. Since we were in the same class, we made memory of every joke said in class, every assignment we did together and every trouble we bailed one another from. Infact, there was nothing stopping us, and we had an unbreakable bond.

We all successfully got promoted to primary 4 and continued together in the same class. Most times we imagined ourselves going to the same secondary school, and hanging out with one another (that is if the available secondary school was not a separate school for both genders). It was common practice for us to save up money to buy things on a day of each week, but most of the money, came from Mustapha. 

Mustapha was like a big brother, who selflessly cared for others. It was usual for us to contribute Five (5) Naira each, once every week (which was not compulsory for anyone that could not afford it, after all, we celebrated together as siblings). When the money gets to thirty Naira, we would buy 4 Coloured ice cream (popularly known as jedi-jedi ice cream), 4 Agidi-Jellof, 4 goody-goody, 4 Speedy biscuit, 4 Oji one finger, 4 Cotton Candy. (Good old days, lol) The money could afford so much because, most things were sold for 1 Naira in those days.

This job is always a punishment for whomever prefers this to being pranked. Yes, he would be the squad’s slave for that day. We could even make the person Fan us while eating...yea, we were that petty. But the person will decide who takes what and who gets the leftover. The leftover is always the crown of every eating. It is at this point, whomever wants it would befriend the slave and we will all be equal again, Picking allies for our next prank challenge, which will decide the next slave.

On a particular occasion, while on my way back from the cultural group rehearsal, I met Mustapha; and I remember being curious about the money (10 Naira) he always gives for snack contribution. 

And so, on our way to the classroom, I summoned courage and asked him if he was an only child to be pampered with money. Then, Mustapha narrated his story to me. He said that he was not an only child. And that in fact, he had a younger sister, whom his parents dote on and do not even notice when he skipped meals. He said that they usually give him Ten Naira to buy Snacks during break hours, but they would take their time to cook for the younger Sister.

He said he always felt lost whenever they display so much love for his kid sister, but then, he ironically could not help but love the little one too, after all, she was his kid sister.

One day, Mustapha’s mom noticed that Mustapha’s mouth had seriously swollen up. And so, she worried over him as though he was going to die. Mustapha said that,  he tried to assure her that he only got fever, insisting he would be fine. From that day onward, His mum never stopped worrying about him, as she did for his younger Sister Kadijah. His Father still showed that he loved Kadijah more, but he was okay, since his mum now noticed him.

So I tried encouraging him that He did not look like what he goes through. 

And then he said almost absent mindedly; 'I wish my Parents, or any other person’s parents, would not show preference in their children, it really destroys the self-esteem of their child'. And then I answered him that he lacked self-esteem. Then, He confided in me that being friends with us all, takes his mind off things, and my person makes him want to be better with his sister, because I keep complaining that I do not have an older brother around. Each time he remembers me, He tells himself how much he must develop himself to be a better brother to me and his sister. 

Funny enough, Kadijah loved him more than their parents. Every time she requested for loads of food, she intended to eat them with 'Musty', like she called him.Every break, she would drag us all to her class before we ever teach Groundnut Boy.  I greatly admired her love for me and her brother.

The Last day of each term, was always set aside for handing out report cards to students. The report card will contain; the sum of pupils in class, Pupil’s attitude in class, Examination Performance (the position), and the class promoted to amongst other details.

It was on such a last day of our 3rd term in primary 4 that after collecting our report cards, we came back to read it together. We where so broken when we noticed that we were promoted to different classes in primary 5 (Christian was in 5D, Mustapha and Zaid were placed in Primary 5C, While I was placed in faraway Primary 5A).

Primary 5 was a big defining Phase in my life. As it was in that phase of my life, that I decided that come what may, I would be a lawyer. 

On the first day of our resumption to Primary 5, we all promised that every break time, we would take turns to teach and supervise Groundnut Boy.                   As for our play and chat time; we usually played, chat and catch up on things after Christian’s Tutorial class. Thus, we agreed to try our best to chat, so as not to lose touch.  

The first term was not bad, because we tried to meet every break, with priority to Christian’s Tutorial. It got difficult in our 2nd and 3rd. Our schedule made it almost impossible to play and chat, but we ensured that we squeezed out time for Christian’s tutorial.

My squad grew a bit distant from me, due to my unique schedule; Since I was in a Club that was very demanding and because my class was on a different block, which was somehow far from others’. It was during this time that Rotimi joined my school and became my classmate and seatmate.

Rotimi was a transfer student, whom Mrs. Sarah (our classroom teacher), seemed very fond of and so, she asked him to sit at the roll close to her desk, which was the same seat with me.

As time went on, I discovered that Rotimi was a month younger than me.  We had a lot in common (as we both had small stature, loved pranks, were both smart and friendly), but Rotimi, seemed to be a little bit self-centered. I decided howver not to focus on his negative side, but rather on his good side.

In no time, Rotimi and I became good friends, though we were not close enough for me to abandon my loyalty to my Squad. Still, I honoured all the Plans and commitments I and my group of friends made. Having a Unique class and club Activity schedule, I was glad to have a friend like Rotimi, who shared the same schedule with me. 

Having noticed for long, that Rotimi seemed too intelligent for my class and even for a public school such as ours; I therefore asked him about his previous school. He told me that he was transferred from primary 6, from a Private school to our school. He added that he was the last born of 4 children, and that his mother was Mrs. Okonkwo (the Classroom Teacher of Primary 5B). He said that his mum had him transferred to this school, so she could monitor his playfulness. 

Mrs. Sarah (our Classroom teacher), was his mother’s best friend. Mrs. Sarah was our mathematics teacher and was well respected by students and teachers alike. She was one of those teachers, whom their husbands where well off, and they cherished their wives so much as dropping them off in school daily.

One day, our classroom teacher came into the class to meet the offensive odour of a fart. She got so angry that she demanded that the culprit comes out and admit the truth, or she would have the whole class flogged. I knew it was Rotimi, since we were seatmates and I had confronted him on the matter, before the teacher stepped into the classroom.

With the threat of flogging the whole class, I asked Rotimi to turn himself in and save the other pupils, reminding him that Mrs. Sarah would never flog him.Rotimi refused, wanting to save his face before the teacher and other Pupils. 

This got me so pissed, and I felt he was being selfish as always. I tried convincing him, so he would turn himself in. Still, he maintained his ground. Remembering he owed me a favour, I asked him to turn himself in for the favour he owed me or I would be forced to turn him in. Still, he refused.

I could not imagine that 50 people would be flogged for a person’s offence. Worst still, just to save face, when he knew she would never flog him. With the Knowledge that Rotimi would not be flogged by Mrs. Sarah; because of her relationship with his mother, I decided to turn him in and save the class. (I thought to myself), His loss of face would only be momentary, compared to the pain others would feel from being flogged. And it will make him less selfish and more responsible for his actions.

I refused all pleas from Rotimi and went on to tell Mrs. Sarah the truth about the fart, since he did not realize his wrong. After telling Mrs. Sarah everything I knew, she shouted angrily at me. She told me that I was lying, trying to frame Rotimi. And added that I was responsible for the fart.

I looked at Rotimi, hoping my friend would admit the truth; if not for anything, for our friendship sake. Sadly, he just sat down and watched what was happening.

Mrs. Sarah having said I was responsible for the Fart, went on to give me 12 strokes of cane, and this she did with so much anger. When she was done flogging me, she told me on a low voice to always mind my business and to go back to my seat.

At that moment, It dawned on me the rare value of true friendship I had with my squad; the difference between my Squad and Rotimi. Although I was in pains from the strokes of cane I received, i felt so happy that I had real friends who would fight for their friends in positive things. Their worth and value in truth, loyalty and friendship would never make them go as low as trying to save face.

After that incidence, I was done with Rotimi. Though I knew that I was the Only friend Rotimi had in the world. A friend who accepted him and never judged him. He used to say that even his siblings never accepted him like I did, and he was always misunderstood and judged by them easily. 

Truth be told, I loved Rotimi like I would my kid brother, I spoke up for him on many occasions, because I believed he needed love to be encouraged to love others.

Thinking on my decision, I did not feel bad that I took the stripes for him, I felt wounded knowing he never valued me enough to change and be responsible. I would have said that I was his trophy, but I knew that he really loved me as a twin he never had, but what happened then that he could not defend me.

In trying to think of my fault in what had happened, it also dawned on me:            

that just like me, so many persons have had their rights violated on daily basis, and do not even count themselves as humans. Most times, due to their vulnerability, Persons meant to protect them ends up being the ones violating their rights. There and then, I determined that if the Law is to protect all, then I would study the law to make them heard. Voice of the weak, and no matter how weak they are to voice their rights, I determined to be an amplifier and make their voice count.

During Break, I was careful not to tell my squad what had happened, and I also withdrew from Rotimi. I know that I was his only friend. But being friends with him was too toxic. He was just too selfish to let go off selfishness.

My desire to be a lawyer and an advocate for the vulnerable was conceived from that day. And I worked hard ever since to study Law and had to wait at home for 5years.

The first two times I wrote Jamb, I was offered Courses I never applied for. At some point, I tried accepting the courses I was offered. This action seemed as though I had failed myself. It was as if my voice would be lost and my whole essence of living was tied to Law.

I faced serious opposition from persons whom I regarded with so much Respect. They Never stopped asking why I was bent on studying law? Oh! I really had an ear-full of awful stories about Lawyers. Some of which were:

-Lawyers are Liars and natural Criminals. This is because, despite knowing the truth, they would go ahead and defend murderers and wicked politicians.

-Lawyers are cultists and are never buried like normal Humans. They are buried oddly, and they would appear to God the same way they were buried. This is a sealed destiny for them to go to hell fire.

One time, someone I had so much respect for, told me that I was a certified candidate of hell, by wanting to study law.

It got to a point that it looked like I was fighting against the whole world, who believed that lawyers are pure evil, assistants to the Devil.

At such a discouraging time, I was very lucky to have few people who were exposed and who respected my choice. One of such Persons was my Kid brother. Dude was amazing beyond  description.

Junior is my Immediate younger brother, who hardly talked but when he does, one would wish to always have him give advises. I really do not know how he knew that I was pondering on the toxic words said to me, he would come up and Say; “Ekpedeme, don’t mind them jor! Do what you want to do". 

He would add. “Always remember, if you fail even when you do what they want, they will still call you a failure. So, Ekpes, do what you have always wanted, and I am sure, you will be good at it”.

When I finally got admission to Study Law. In the course of my study, I battled with the negative words that were previously said to me. 

The discouragements from those persons I highly regarded made me hate myself so much, but my desire for law was stronger than me, which led to my persistency. It was Like the Primary 5 me was a burning fire that nothing could ever quench. When I felt like giving Up, God brought many people to encourage me, and my Passion sustained me. 

Throughout my days in School, I advocated for the Rights of Vulnerable groups, so much that some people in school thought I knew all the Handicap persons in School. I am Grateful for the pain I went through in Primary 5. I am grateful, I saw my rights protected. And when it was violated, I chose to heal and make it a motivation. Now, I can stand with those vulnerable people, because I know how it feels to be vulnerable and have ones’ rights violated.

In My 200 Level, I registered as a volunteer in Youth Alive Foundation (YAF). This organization has propelled most of my growth and development. They helped shape my raw passion, to a defined Passion and purpose. They believed so much in me, and inspired me more towards my passion. They have ensured that I participate in trainings, workshops and advocacy projects, which were in line with my Passion.

 I am not where I would call my final point of growth and development, but I have been made strong in time, following the blueprint of my Passion..With the passage of each day, i just want to be satisfied with the radiation from the voice of others I have strengthened. Hence, I advocate for the Human Rights of the vulnerable group and push for human development. 

I will give these words of encouragement from a Korean Script writer, who said: 

Dreams are important, but do not shine. It is the person that pursues his dreams that shines. 

Let your light shine, let your passion burn and let it lead you to where you will illuminate the path of others too.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this post, you are Appreciated and Loved.

My  thanks also goes to The CEO of Elzuko-Clothing for proof reading and Editting this post.