Call to Bar

A. O. Harrison (Mrs.) True life story

Where do I begin to tell my story. Let me start from my desire as a very little sickly girl who aspired to be a lawyer but it was as though the legions in hell where on assignment and unleashed to ensure I never got called to bar.

Some how despite ill health I made progress from one class to another, I remember vividly that when I entered secondary school, for most of my Christmas or festive season I will pick a suit preparing for what was ahead of me.

I refused to give up, I pressed against all odds, Jamb said it was jamb, is it SSCE and GCE palava? The amusing thing there is I spoke queens english but had to tarry for almost three (3) years. The result I finally got English I added physics.

Before the result came an angel in the form of a human my father encountered and explained my predicament to advices that in the mean time while I wait for my result, I should come over to study Diploma in Law.

This was how on the 15th day of December, 1999 I went for lectures. I never knew where the school was until that day as I was given a special treatment. The form prior to resumption was purchased and brought to me, I filled it and it was submitted with out stress on me.

I almost got thrown out of the Diploma program as it was barely a day to Matriculation I was sent my GCE result. It was not funny at all my experience and the stress of getting my documents in the different office file before matriculation day.

As I narrowly escaped and survived 100 Level, 200 Level saluted me with ill health, I remembered severally I would slum and awake to find myself in hospital on drip. Thank God for nice folks who were always around at such emergencies.

First semester 200 level I only photocopied notes and read and I scaled through, 2nd semester looked better but for one evening strolling to my hostel an accident I escaped from resulted in a broken bone. I passed all courses except one and the reason the lecturer gave was that I did not make 75% attendance despite all medical records before him both from the school health center, government hospital and private clinic. I had to repeat 200 Level. I ensured I sat through all the classes this was the third year.

At this point I wrote both jamb and applied for direct entry but to no avail. And I was determined law or nothing. Though I had developed other skills which are beneficial to  me today. I had to proceed to a private university as another two years of no admission went by swiftly.

The experience of Diploma days framed my approach in my degree days. At entry into degree the school refused my direct entry application that 200 level was full so I entered with Jamb from 100 level. From 300 level to 500 level political science missing score/script surfaced. In my 500level another storm blew but God helped me. On the day of my validictory session from university my mum said “At last” when I walked up to her with my plaques.

Law school list came but my name was not listed, I remembered praying and called a friend who was already at the law school and she told me they had resumed lecture. I refused fainting, I told her I will join her there. About a month after, another list came and behold I was in the number.

Law school exam was another trying phase as I took ill, I wrote and prayed that God will help me and he did. I passed though I felt I should have done better.

My call to bar was slated for 30th November, 2010 but while going about my clearance I became feverish. I pressed till the day of my call, I barely struggled to eat the final dinner after been handed the certificate. I knew I had to stay strong to put my name in the role at the supreme court. Some how I did but after then only God knows.

Am happy to be alive 11year post call, ten years after, am making progress, the happenings of the past are now history, I enjoy my present adventure.

If it had not been for God who was on my side?