Gboremi Ogundipe bagged a Second Class Upper from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and a First Class from the Nigerian Law School. She tells ROBERT EGBE how she combines her hobbies of sewing and travelling with law practice.
Family
I am Gboremi Ogundipe; the second of five girls. My parents, Ajibola and Temilolu Ogundipe, are both lawyers; my dad is also an engineer. I’m from Ekiti State.
Education
I attended the University of Lagos (2012 – 2017), where I finished with a Second Class Upper and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus (2017/18), where I finished with a First Class degree.
‘I like to watch stage plays, sew clothes’
I like to watch movies and stage plays. I enjoy spending time with family and friends; and I love to travel. I also design and sew clothes whenever I find the time.
Inspiration to study Law
My parents partially influenced my choice; the decision was, however, mostly mine, and for no reason other than the fact that it was the “most popular” option to go for, having finished from Arts class in Secondary School (Louisville Girls High School, in Ogun State).
‘Law School was great, but…’
Law School was a great experience; but not one that anyone would wish to re-live. Classes went on for hours unending; and they were also very intense. There was so much to read, and so little time.
I coped with the challenges by staying in tune with my spirit mind, and being calm through it all. I ate well, slept well, and did my best not to procrastinate my reading. I set a timetable, and followed through with it. I took notes in class, studied ahead of and after classes, and made sure my notes were complete for my personal study. Also, I always made sure that I read to understand; as opposed to attempting to cram information in my head.
Family marked my Call to Bar with a party
Everyone reached out, one way or another. People were genuinely happy for me, and for that I was really grateful.
My parents and family also had a small house party for me on the day of my Call to Bar, in Abuja.
Remuneration issues as a young lawyer?
I work with a very amazing and considerate law firm, and so this has really not been an issue for me.
Marrying a lawyer
This does not really matter to me. I do not quite see any reason as to why it should be a criterion at all.
What I would change about law practice
Our courts need to improve on infrastructure as concerns technology. We are seriously lagging behind when it comes to technology – and this alone will greatly improve efficiency of Nigerian courts.
People also really need to appreciate and employ alternative modes of resolving disputes (ADR). Our courts are bombarded with so many cases. Lawyers should always advise their clients to attempt ADR first.
Mentors
At the moment, apart from my parents, I look up to all the partners at the law firm I currently work with. They have such a culture of excellence, and this has been a major driving force for me to do and become better in the legal profession.
SAN, Professor or a Judge?
It has to be one? It is a very strong tie for me between a Professor and a SAN; but my decision right now would be to become a Professor.
My view may, however, change at some point along the line of practice, considering experience and what I may become passionate about as time goes by.
The future
My plan is to take one day at a time, especially as I just began my practice in the legal profession.
At the moment, I do not have any strong political interests or desires. It, however, goes without saying that this view point may change over the years.
More ladies than men made First Class in the 2017-2018 Law School set; are women studying more seriously than men?
I do not think that it is fair to reach a general conclusion that women take studying more seriously than men. While it is possible that this might have been the case this year, I believe that many different factors come into play in writing and excelling in an examination. Coupled with hard work and determination of course, perhaps all these variables just happened to be in place and at their best, for more women than men in the last Law School academic session.
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