Uncategorized

Determination

This is the capacity to maintain concentration on a job or objective in the face of challenges, failures, or impediments.

Determination as a personality trait. It calls for a strong feeling of drive, tenacity, and resilience.

Characteristics of determination is the ability to put in a lot of effort, endure in the face of difficulties, and to have a positive outlook in the face of difficulty.

Determined people are more likely to succeed in reaching their objectives and overcoming challenges that would otherwise demotivate them.

They are prepared to invest the time and effort necessary to accomplish their goals because they have a strong belief in their capacity to succeed.

Determination is a great tool in achieving success at what we do. However, we must note that success cannot be defined for you as it is not a destination.

Determination is capable of changing the tune of any game as it is a game changer. It brings a twist when it meets a wall by either climbing over it, breaking through the wall or going around it

As a child in primary school, we had a popular morning assembly song we sang which we sing it while matching to our classroom. It is as follows;
Determination is our motto
Determination
De-ter-mi-nation.

Determination as a tool in the hands of a Female Lawyer

Determination is a valuable tool in the hands of any lawyer, regardless of their gender. However, given the historical and ongoing challenges that women face in the legal profession, determination can be especially important for female lawyers.

Female lawyers often encounter obstacles such as gender bias, pay inequity, and a lack of representation in leadership positions amongst others. These challenges can make it difficult for women to advance in their careers and achieve professional success.

In this circumstances that precedes female lawyers, determination can help the female lawyers overcome these obstacles and achieve their goals.

A determined female lawyer is someone who must persistent, be focused, and resilient. She must be willing to work hard and take on difficult challenges, even in the face of adversity.

With determination, a female lawyer can overcome gender bias and prove her worth in a male-dominated profession. She can fight for pay equity and demand the recognition and compensation she deserves. She can also become a role model for other women in the legal profession and inspire them to pursue their own dreams and goals.

In short, determination is the powerful tool for any female lawyer who dares to engage in helping her to overcome obstacles, achieve her goals, and make a positive impact in the legal profession.

Determination and Positive mindset

Although the two are connected, being determined and having a positive attitude are distinct concepts. A mindset of perseverance, focus, and resilience in the pursuit of a goal, especially in the face of challenges or setbacks, is referred to as determination. It entails a readiness to put in a lot of effort and give up something in order to get what you want.

An cheerful, upbeat, and constructive general approach or temperament is referred to as having a positive attitude. It entails seeking out the positive in circumstances, concentrating on solutions rather than issues, and confronting difficulties with an attitude of potential and opportunity.

Determination and optimism aren’t the same things, but they are undoubtedly connected. Someone who is adamant about achieving a goal is

likely to have a positive attitude, because they believe that their efforts will be rewarded and that they can overcome obstacles along the way.

Similarly, a person with a positive attitude is likely to be more determined in the pursuit of their goals, because they see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

In short, determination and a positive attitude are both important characteristics for achieving success and overcoming obstacles. While they are not the same thing, they are complementary and can reinforce each other in the pursuit of a goal

Determination is to have a positive attitude towards achieving a difficult goal. It is to make up ones mind to do a thing and consciously make efforts or take practical steps to getting it done. It is staying focussed on a goal.

How does the word Determination relates to us as Female Lawyers?

As female lawyers one of our core values ought to be Determination, knowing the nature and rigours of the practice of Law are not meant for jokers, but for serious business minded people.

Considering the general perception by people on female lawyers that they are not serious which obviously is fallacious playing by the rules of hasty generalization in logic.

The constant comparison with our male counterpart which sometimes could lead one to being depressed.

Another factor that calls for one to be determined is TIME.

Time we say waits for no one. So we must trade wisely with our time. We must learn to know and observe what is needed from us per time. Good time management can build pillars, thus giving a structure to hold the future in place.

We will be deceiving ourselves, if we say we are determined without a vision. What we will be doing is building castles on air contrary to Macfoy v UAC, 3 All ER 1169 at 1172 (1961) which states “You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stay there. It will collapse…”

What to do?
If we must be determined as female lawyers;
1) we must set out our goal or goals with realistic time for executing them.
2) We must consciously start by talking baby steps till we are able to leap with giant strides.
3) We must be careful and learn to take hints when counselled to so do.
4) We must be willing to let go of burdens not needed at the top floor so they don’t hold us down as weight.
5) We must encourage ourself when we find yourself at a cross road.
6) We must know when to ask relevant question, press onwards and forward.

See you at the top of the legal ladder where you find yourself.

A. O. HARRISON (Mrs.)

Uncategorized

Last Night

NELMIC GAS PLANT EXPLOSION

It was a busy day for me, having just retired to my room, I was sitted on my bed, looking out through the window.

First it was dark and suddenly the entire sky flashed orange, it was an unusual bright light. My husband was standing by when I asked, what is that. His reply was its a car light.

I tried to keep calm, but wondering in my heart, this is really strange, not to bother myself with thoughts that cannot yield results, I laid on my bed and slept after a brief prayer.

I woke up the following morning. Rushed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast while the kettle was on fire. I walked into the palour to get the weight off my feet and decided to scroll through my phone alas I say the reason for the bright orange flashed light that transformed the dark black sky.

It was explosion from a gas plant.

A gas plant sited by a car dealer shop on one side. Residence at the back, a Redeem Christian Church of God on another side and in front is a dual carriage road.

The era of social media created another set of casualties. As they all forgot totally about their safety. They wanted to report the incident first hand. Live in Effurun, opposite post office…

They pulled out their phones recording. Walking towards and some others standing by the inflamed gas station. When alas another explosion that sent flames of fire to person on the road and about.

No fire fighters

No ambulance

No cash at hand

No increase in salary

Banks are as good as shut

Now casualties

Damages to lives and properties

Business gone bad

A beam of hope is been searched for.

A bleak of hope, hoped to find.

Who will heal?

Who will help the situation?

Who will alleviate the plight of the people?

Just last night.

What does tomorrow hold?

Uncategorized

Ups & Downs; On the road to success

To succeed in life is everyone’s desire, but we must understand that it is not a straight short road that can easily be reached, however you can successfully arrive at your desired destination.
A person eager to succeed must sit down and write its blue print. The print is actually his/her vision and or aspirations. However, it is not sufficient to have the vision written in a book, there is the place of setting it in motion to get to the desired end (goal).
A vital question that must be determined is WHERE DO I GO FROM FROM HERE?
The question above applies to everyone seeking to succeed whether as students, business man or woman, single, married couples…
You must start by making moves, from constant thinking to analysing the steps you have taken, plan futuristically, keep trying don’t stop, do it over and again not giving up, keep at it and to your amazement you will achieve your desired goal.
On your journey to success, there are certain factors you must not neglect, to name a few they are family, friends and your health. You must consciously make out time for them. As success with bad health brings about frustration.
The road to success is rigorous, if climbing a step was easy am sure no one would have thought of inventing an elevator. So when climbing up, keep encouraging yourself. You will get there sooner than you least expect.
I see you getting there, at the top of your career, and other endeavours.

Please leave a comment.

Uncategorized

Which way?

Nigeria my Country, the giant of Africa, how did we get here?

No light,

No salary increment,

Food price rise over a hundred percent,

Fuel price hike which when you want to purchase you cannot just drive in and out, but must spend over an hour at the fuel station outlet,

Do we talk about the collection of the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) or

Is it to buy a new sim card which requires you generate vin number now.

To get your Nigerian international passport you need to fill a guarantors form. As a wife your husband cannot guarantee you. You have to search for a nice guarantor

The unavailability of the new Naira notes in our banks and ATMs…if you manage to see a bank that has cash for corporate account is N20,000 minimun you can collect, saving account N5,000 you can collect. Quick delivery is for a price of N5,000 for N20,000

Whether there will be an extension of the return of the old Naira is unknown in view of short circulation of the new Naira notes and it has left everyone wondering what next.

Who punished Nigerians?

Who do us?

Which way Nigeria?

Where do we start from?

Uncategorized

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LAWYERS

Law is dynamic and it evolves over time to meet with specific needs of the society. Thus every lawyer needs to consciously update his or her practice and knowledge bank to meet with current demands. The act of updating ones knowledge bank and practise is what most people call capacity build.

Capacity building is the process of developing and strengthening the skill, abilities and resources of Law firm and lawyers to meet the needs of their clients in the ever changing world.

Capacity building is having a developmental plan which must be intentional as development is expensive and very demanding. It requires determination and discipline to achieve.

For lawyers and law practice it is enhancing your lawyering skills by leveraging on vital tools which is mainly training amongst others. To build capacity in the legal profession, the place of research cannot be down played in view of the emerging areas in laws and the practice.

We must resign from the old ways of doing things by embracing and equipping ourselves with current trends eg by exploring the use of social media handles and its tool carefully so as not to offend the Rules of our Professional Conduct.

Before now, a brick and mortar office was highly needed for the establishment of a law firm, but presently you can have both a brick and mortar office as well as a virtual office giving room for more clients to locate you by reason of the world being a global village.

If I may ask, do you have a brick and mortar office?

Have you explored the use of a virtual office?

Are you thinking of the type of office, because you are having difficulties in making decisions?

Uncategorized

Difficulties Encountered by Female Lawyers

A SPEECH PRESENTED BY A.O HARRISON (MRS) ON THE MAIDEN NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION WOMEN FORUM, DELTA STATE HYBID MEETING HELD ON THE 11TH DAY OF AUGUST 2022 AT THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION BRANCH HOUSE ASABA. 
Honourable Attorney General of Delta State, Solicitor General/ Permanent Secretary, Delta State Lead and Facilitators of Asaba, Oleh and Ughelli


The Executive Governor of Delta State Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Honourable the Chief Judge of Delta State, My Lord T. O. Diai, Honourable Justice P. O. Elumeze President, Customary Court of Appeal, the Honourable Attorney General of Delta State Isaiah Bozimo Esq., The Chairperson Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose SAN., Council Members, our distinguished guest Speaker My Lord Honourable Justice Roli Harriman, Learned Silk, Elders of the Bar, Senior Colleagues, Facilitators and Great women of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum viewing on real time and all physically present.

I am delighted to welcome you to this maiden hybrid meeting.
The event is put together to address issues affecting the female lawyers in her pursuit to the apex of her profession whether as a single lady, married, separated or widowed.


The house will agree with me that the life of a legal practitioner on a daily basis is one burdened with ups and downs. Ranging from house chore, office work, hormonal matters, complex emotional issues…if one is not cautions, She will loose her mental balance thus loosing out of life. Without mental balance every activities becomes unattainable.


Just like yesterday, I remember as a young lawyer on the send forth valedictory session of my Lord Hon. Justice Jonathan E. Shakaro when he said, the legal practice is a selfish one, it demands your time, energy…. More so it is one where retirement is far fetched.


It is more tasking on us female lawyers, especially with the hormonal play on our body system unlike her male counterpart.

Our difficulties are listed however not limited to choosing the right partner without him been threatened and uncomfortable with our achievements, marrying a fellow colleague who tells you to hang your degree at the door post before coming in, marrying a non-lawyer and people keeps asking him how he is coping based on societal perception of a female lawyer. Family expecting you to do their legal job at little or no cost not caring whether you have eaten or whether you will eat. Class groups looking unto you to answer or solve all legal issues on the platforms at no cost, having to tackle children after a long days job (assignment and report of who did what and what did not take place).

NTA Asaba Clip on the hybrid meeting Legal Practice and Life Balance

The challenges are unending. Pleasing your boss at the office by ensuring you meet up with the drafting and filing deadline, research on issues arising on the different case file and appearing in court by young female lawyers with little or no allowance for the day.


How do we bring a balance to our lives as female lawyers?

Is there really a thing called balance in this legal practice for female lawyers?

What are the rules to attaining the balance?


I remember being heavily pregnant and after my case at the Area Customary Court the president would refuse my permit to exit from court she would order that I sit down till she rise knowing I was a new wig. This was most discomforting.


Having miscarried three times I still would resume work shortly after the evacuation of the babies and give work its preference.

Is it after giving birth with Caesarean operation and I would resume work after six weeks to pursue the goals I set out for in the legal profession.


After a hectic day at the office your first bus/car stop will be the market and home again to satisfy the stomach of the family one must remember conjugal duties is an all inclusive package, up and early the next day you must be up early to handle chores then off to work.


The social life must not be left unattended to because you need to be there for others and the people you meet would either reference you to others or bring their personal brief.

Amidst the busy schedule of the female lawyers we are here to search out how to balance life. I hope at the end of todays event our guest speaker and discussants would do justice to the subject to enable us not just strike the balance but attain the peak of the legal practice.

Uncategorized

Evolving World

Life is dynamic, nothing is constant other than the constant which is change. The dynamism of world is so drastic that it affects traditions, customs and ethics.

Some accord the dynamism of the world to the Laws of Nature. How has the laws of nature affected the changes you experience?

I realized I am not what I was forty years ago, a lot has happened to me through developmental process. The process has affected my perception to life and people.

It has shaped my thoughts and determined my relationships and actions. It could be said that I have gained wealth of experience overtime.

Forty years ago I was but a child who believed everything I was told, but now I subject to thought anything put to me or brought before me, my mind has become analytical, I tend to reflect and give reasons why I should act or how I should act in accordance to the information I have received or what has played out.

Who predicts these changes we experience?

Is it still nature or there is a force bigger than nature itself?

Is it nature that controls man waking up and a man’s life termination?

Who determined that my dad would live for but just 59years.

The determinant I have come to conclude is a great force bigger than nature. The force orchestrates times and season. He knows when to give peace and how to trouble the waters.

He spoke of things to come, but we are too busy to pay attention to the detailed wordings and lines He put them.

Where is the manual for nature, if you have discovered it, you would have discovered the manual for living.

I submit that there is a controller general of the universe. One who put the entire world on compulsory vacation without their input or approval.

No manufacturer produces a product without it’s manual and purpose of the product designed. Every manufacturer produces it’s products to solve problems.

Have you discovered why you are created?

What is the problem you are designed to solve?

Have you thought why you go through the ups and downs and what is expected of you to learn amidst the experience?

Is the process just the dynamism of life or there is more to it that meets the eye?

Is this part of the evolution process?

Uncategorized

How to Succeed

Dear Reader,

No man ventures into a profession in anticipation to fail. However failure is eminent without a blue print.

The blue print is a short term or long term vision one draws out for himself or herself.

Today we are lawyers, but a lot of us got here accidentally.

How?

one may ask?

I was asked to read law by my parent…

Whether that was your case or not, we are here as lawyers, you have scaled through the basic huddles.

Success at it is our primary focus as a group.

What must we do?

There is the place of penning down your vision.

There is need to study those who are ahead of us to ride on their stories and avoid any pit falls.

The place of studying and deligence at work cannot be put aside.

Approach your work or job with zeal and confidence.

If you make a mistake don’t quit.

Ask questions from Seniors and colleagues.

Every man needs the God factor. This was re-echoed to me at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos by my lecturers and that importance cannot be erased from my perspective.

Have self love and confidence in yourself.

Don’t be defined by the definition of what people say about you. It is alright to correct yourself where something said touched you, but never allow their words to be a ticket to depression or a doubting tool on your ability.

Love what you do whether as a private practitioner, counsel at the ministry of justice, researcher, research assistant, in-house lawyer…

Always tell yourself you are the best person to get the job done and get it done.

Hard work pays over time that is what I have learnt in this profession.

Be open to learn old and new approaches as you already know life and law is dynamic; our society, culture and traditions evolves by reason of time, catch up with the changes, keep making progress. Never settle for less.

Aspire to grow and be the best.

With Love,
From the Author.
Augustina Ojenikoh Harrison (Mrs.)

Uncategorized

Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow

On the 8th March 2022, the Chairperson of FIDA (Nig) Warri Branch Megbele Ogechi Jessica was a Resource person/Mentor at the International Women’s Day celebration organized by Morgan Smart Development Foundation with a mentoring session hosted by Dr Omawunmi Evelyn Atsiangbe Urhobo.



The International Women’s Day with the theme “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” Morgan Smart Development Foundation hosted about 50 women to a mentorship session on Entrepreneurship, Women’s Right, Health and Fashion.

It was a refreshing session as participants were exposed to strategies on becoming better and hard working women to help in making the society great.

Uncategorized

FIDA WARR BRANCH courtesy visit to the Chairman, Sapele Local Government Council cum Sensitization Exersice.

In commemoration of the International Women’s Day Celebration geared towards breaking the bias, members of FIDA Warri Branch led by the Chairperson Megbele Ogechi Jessica and her executives paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Council.

Though the Chairman was unavoidably absent but he was well represented by the Secretary of the Council Mr. Felix Ayemidejo. Also present were Richa Ogirisen, Counselors, woman Leader Joy Jemirigbe and others too numerous to mention who came to support their council Chairman.

Mr. Felix Ayemidejo who spoke on behalf of the Chairman assured FIDA Warri Branch that they will partner with the organization.

The said visit climaxed with the sensitization program held at the Council Secretariat Hall women were informed of the power of togetherness, training of the girl child and protection of fellow women and girls from societal hurts.

Fida Members in attendance who made the day colourful are
Megbele Ogechi Jessica (Chairperson)
Oghenero Faith Megbele (Asst Sec)
Beauty Ekpuda ( PRO)
Alero Omebeyinje Sifo (Welfare Secretary)
Vanessa Oyemi Kubeyinje – Ngwu (Treasurer.)
His Honour Ataine Aghogho
Zino Aikpokpo- Martins,
Clara Omoroh,
Dr Ejiro Kore-Okiti,
Timi Brisibe,
Augustina Harrison Ojenikoh,
Precious Pela,
Harmony Agwu,
Mrs Egbo Onosakponome Juliet, Mrs Irene Tadaferua, Weyimi Omoruwa,
Mrs Erhi,
Mrs G.G.Mure,