Naomi Uwem Ekop transitioned from a science student with an eye on Medicine to bagging two First Class degrees at the Afe Babalola University and the Nigerian Law School. Ekop also picked up 13 awards, including the Overall Best Graduating Student, at the Nigerian Law School. She shares her story with ROBERT EGBE.
My family and I
I am Naomi Uwem Ekop. I am from Etim Ekpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State, though I was brought up in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. I am the first of three children – two females and one male – of Mr. & Mrs Uwem Charles Ekop. My parents are legal practitioners, though only my dad practises while my mum is an Academic Planning Officer with the University of Calabar.
University, Law School best graduand
I attended Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti from 2012 -2017 and graduated with a First Class degree and as a recipient of the Aare Afe Babalola Founders Prize for First Class Students. I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School (NLS), Yenagoa Campus (Bayelsa) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in November 2018 with a First Class degree. I was the Best graduating Student of my year, among other awards.
Life as the daughter of lawyers
Being the daughter of lawyers, I believe, entrenched deeply in me, the desire to want to become a lawyer even before I reached the age where I could totally comprehend that desire. Though I did not get to accompany my parents to court when I was younger, partly because they were not primarily into litigation, I did notice the abundance of legal texts and materials and the pictures of them decked in the full legal regalia.
‘I would have studied Medicine’
I have always had a deep-seated desire to be a lawyer from a very tender age. My choice of Law was inspired by the versatile nature of the profession. Lawyers can be found in every sector and phase of life. I think the choice also had to do with growing up with parents who are lawyers and in a house surrounded by legal texts and dreaming of one day putting on the legal regalia.
If I had not studied Law, I probably would have studied Medicine, which happened to be my parents’ preference for me. I was actually in science class while in secondary school.
Left to me, I would have opted for Economics. I cannot say what exactly attracted me to that but back then it seemed like the next best thing after Law.
‘Law School was stressful but fun’
Law School was very different from what I had heard before I got there, and early on, I realised that most of the fearful stories going around did not exactly carry much weight, depending on how you choose to view the Law School experience. It was stressful but fun, especially with the right people around. Coping with challenges was basically by praying about them and putting in place a plan to cover them. For instance, I was involved in quite a number of activities, such as being an assistant group leader in class, Academic Secretary of CLASFON (Christian Law Students Fellowship of Nigeria) and Sanctuary Keepers Coordinator in Chapel of Hope. At a point, I was worried about spending much time on carrying out my responsibilities instead of reading. With time, I was able to plan my days and schedule my activities for each day so that my studies would not be affected. There really was not much time to engage in my hobbies, but, apart from my academics, I was actively engaged in programmes in Chapel and CLASFON, which were so much fun and constituted most of my social activities. I also engaged in and enjoyed conversations with my roommates and friends and also played games on my phone to relax.
‘I didn’t celebrate Call to Bar with a party after’
I received a lot of congratulatory calls, messages and posts on all social media platforms. It was surreal being celebrated on such a large scale. There were so many things going on at that period, so, there was no elaborate plan for celebrations. I did not have a party but I was invited to a very close friend’s celebration dinner after the Call to Bar, which I attended.
‘Making double First Class was no surprise’
Having a First Class at both institutions did not come as a surprise. At the university, I received the Founders Award for First Class Students. I was also the recipient of 13 awards at the November 2018 Call to Bar and several post-call awards. The awards include: Council of Legal Education Star Prize, Justice Olujide Shomolu Prize for Best student in Civil Litigation, Dr. Mudiage Odje SAN Prize for Third Best Student in Criminal Litigation, Director-General’s Prize for First Class Students, Stephenson Harwood Prize for Best Graduating Student (Six months internship in UK), National Association of Women Judges Prize for Overall Best Female Student, Chief J. K. Gadzama Prize for Best Female Student in Civil and Criminal Litigation, Nigerian Bar Association Prize for Best Overall Female Student, Justice Silvanus Ayere Ajuyah OFR Prize for Most Promising Graduating Student of the Year, Sir Adetokumbo Ademola Prize for Best Student of the Year, Dr. Teslim Elias Prize for Best Student of the Year, Justice Atanda Fatai Williams Prize for Best Student of the Year, Law School Class of 1990 Friends Association Outstanding Excellence Award for Best in Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus and the Chief Gani Fawehinmi Scholarship Award for Best Graduating Student by Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch.
Advice to students eyeing First Class
You have to, first of all, believe that it truly is possible to make a First Class and then confess those beliefs. You should not pay attention to the fears, doubts and negative things that people would say. Trust God, set your eyes on excellence and be consistent with studying from the very start of the journey. Truly, diligence plus grace equals success.
Why more ladies make First Class than men
I don’t think I can speak for the men but having gone through primary, secondary and tertiary education, I’ve been able to notice that ladies usually have the upper hand when it comes to grades and this may be because they are usually the more driven and passionate ones when it comes to academics. But in the end, it’s really a matter of choosing to defy the distractions and aim for excellence.
‘I’m no genius, just product of grace, determination’
I would not accept that I am a genius, especially going by the actual definition of the term. I’m basically a product of God’s grace, determination and diligence.
‘Extra pressure to perform exceptionally’
There is definitely a tendency for people to expect more from you or to check whether you’re really what they’ve heard about you. It’s kind of a subtle pressure coming from all angles for you to achieve more, but at work there hasn’t really been so much pressure. They were quite excited when I joined them and they were willing, for me, to take on responsibilities, though sometimes if I ask questions, it may seem like I already know it but I’m just asking.
Marrying a lawyer?
I would if it is God’s will. Yes, I believe I have some professions that I may think twice about but law is not one of them and what is paramount is not the profession.
‘What I would change about the legal profession’
I would definitely want to do something about the delays in access to justice by litigants, especially when it comes to unwarranted applications for adjournments by legal practitioners. It is always sad to be aware of a case where even the original parties have died and the case is still ongoing without an end in sight. I would also want to see more cases attempt to be resolved by alternative dispute resolutions both in civil and criminal spheres.
Mentors
In the legal profession, I would say I look up to Aare Afe Babalola. I remember when he taught 400 level students, the Law of Evidence and he would tell us stories from his years of practice. When it comes to academics, I love the examples of my Deputy-Director General, Dr. D. I. Efevwerhan and my Professional Ethics lecturer at the Law School, Miss Ikimi, who always made learning fun and easy to comprehend while still earning the respect of all students.
SAN, Professor or Judge
I think I would choose to become a Judge, if at least, to suggest new ways and practice existing means of aiding the speedy dispensation of justice for litigants.
The future
For the immediate future, to keep growing in the profession, learning and developing my skills. Also, to always maintain excellence in all I do and contribute to the development of the law, human rights jurisprudence and alternative dispute resolution in Nigeria and beyond.
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