The greatness of OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY is not in the name itself but rather the quality of her products. It has been argued in some quarters that a 2:1 graduate of OAU will conveniently bag First Class in any University in Nigeria....

See prove...

Adetutu Olowu, 22, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, graduated with a first class from the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School in the 2014/2015 academic session. In this interview with TUNDE AJAJA, she shares her experience

Was it your dream as a child to be a lawyer?

Yes, I had always dreamt of becoming a lawyer, even as a child. The main reason at that time was because I was fascinated by the respect and admiration people had for lawyers, especially in their formal dress (the wig and gown). So, I dreamt to be one, and I’m glad I made that decision.

How was your experience in the school?

I found Law school very challenging and a bit stressful. The classes were always long and we had assignments and tasks to work on every day. It was better to read so as to reduce the workload when exams were close. Being in Law School requires a lot of focus and effort, but I found that it was good for my development as a person. People told me how difficult it could be to have a first class, but those stories strengthened my resolve to excel.

How easy was it to graduate with a first class from the Law school?

It was very challenging. In fact, the road to having a first class was the most challenging one I ever encountered till date. It didn’t come easy, but thank God I made it. I’m definitely a product of hard work and God’s blessing. Having a first class in Law requires hard work and my case wasn’t different. I had to drive myself very hard because I had the mind of having a first class and I knew it wouldn’t come easy, so I prepared for it. I used to read from the beginning to the end of the session and then asked God to crown my effort with success. So, that combination made it possible.

Did you also have the same performance when you were in OAU?

My performance was average when I was an undergraduate and that was because I didn’t put in enough effort in the first three years. By the time I was in 400 Level, I knew that I didn’t want to finish with a 2.2, so I started making the necessary changes that eventually got my grades up, and that was why I finished with a 2:1. Maybe if I had taken things seriously from the beginning, I would have done better. From my 400L to 500L, I experienced a radical improvement in my results. Interestingly, I have always excelled in my academics; I passed my West African Senior School Certificate Examination and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination very well – at one sitting. The only periods that I didn’t perform well were during my first three years as an undergraduate and it was primarily because I thought I could continue with old methods and get the same results. Thank God I changed that approach before it was too late. I realised that if I put in the required effort, I could and would be the best in all I did. Thus, I didn’t need anyone to tell me before I adopted that measure when I got to the Law School. I worked hard, but more important was God’s grace.

The performance at the three Law Schools this year was not very good, evidenced by the fact that there were only four first class graduates and Lagos school produced two, out of which you are one. Beyond hard work, were there other things you did differently to have it?

Well, I read before every class, listened to advice from the lecturers on how to pass the Bar exams. I also attended the small group discussions in order to learn from my peers and I asked God for help. However, my decision to have a first class also helped because when I was admitted in April 2014, my plan was to finish with a first class, and that kept me focused. I had something I was working towards. Also, the support I got from my parents was helpful. When I was starting Law School, I told my family that I was aiming for a first class and they, especially my mother, supported me with their prayers and love.

What was your typical day like in the Law School?

I used to wake up by 3:00am and read till 5:30am, after which I would have my bath and go back to sleep. After that, I would wake up by 8:00am, have my breakfast and prepare for class. We used to spend about eight hours in class with just thirty minutes lunch break. After classes, I took time out to gist with my roommates and friends, ate dinner and then go to bed.

A number of people see Law as a complex, voluminous and technical course, what is your view on that?

Law is indeed very complex, voluminous and technical. However, I believe that consistent reading will aid understanding of the course, and approaching the course with an understanding that all aspects of Law are interrelated would help simplify it.

Some people think that cramming is a necessity for anyone to excel in Law, especially when it comes to cases. Did you have to cram as well?

No, I didn’t. I’m not very good at cramming. In fact, I didn’t cram lots of cases or statutes for the bar exam. I believe that the most important thing is to understand the principles of law so that one can apply them to problems in order to proffer solutions.

Which area would you like to specialise in?

Law is interrelated, but I have flair for International Business Law or Corporate Finance.

How long were you reading?

I can’t really say the exact number of hours I read daily because I read as time permitted. However, I made sure I read every topic before each class. That gave me an idea of what to expect and to be able to ask informed questions and clarify anything I didn’t understand while reading.

How often did you use the library?

I hardly used the library because I realised that I usually slept there. So, the best place I read was either in my room or the reading room in the hostel.

How would you describe your social life?

I was not very social, but my friends understood my kind of person, so they let me be. However, I tried to be social from time to time, just as they say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I tried to be involved a bit in some social activities.

Being a young lady, how did you handle peer pressure?

I’m an independent person and I have been like that for as long as I can remember. In addition, I hang out with like-minded people who would not put pressure on others to do anything they don’t want to do. So, that wasn’t a problem for me.

How did you use your leisure?

I read fictional books and I watched a lot of movies.

How did you handle gestures from men, who might be attracted to your brilliance?

I tried to be friendly with them, but I always made my position clear and I stood by it. It didn’t stop me from mixing and relating with them, but there were boundaries and we all respected that.

What were your most memorable moments?

My happiest memory till date is the day I saw my Law School result. It remains a day to remember. If you set a goal and you worked at it, coupled with your faith and you achieve that set target, it will surely be memorable and I cherish that moment. However, I also won’t forget the day I fell in church because I was wearing heels and the ground was wet. I felt embarrassed.

What are your immediate plans and aspirations?

I intend to practise for some time and go for my Master’s very soon. I like to go deeper. Law is an interesting course that any interested person would find attractive. I’m glad to be in this profession.

Where do you hope to work?

I look forward to working in a big and reputable law firm. I like to practise, but law is a course that is relevant to every aspect of life, so I might venture into something else in future.

What would you advise students to do to have an excellent result?

Students should read very well. There is no shortcut to that. They should not be too proud to ask for help from their peers when they need to. Above all, they should always ask God to crown their efforts with success.

www.punchng.com/entertainment/campus-champion/i-drove-myself-very-hard-olowu-law-school-first-class-graduate/

Cc lalasticlala

My performance was average when I was an undergraduate and that was because I didn’t put in enough effort in the first three years. By the time I was in 400 Level, I knew that I didn’t want to finish with a 2.2, so I started making the necessary......in other news he didn't put much effort in his undergraduate days

k

Next news!

overhyped nonsense. Swerve right.

congratulations dear ... only reasonable people appreciate good heights.... well done

first class in law doesn't mean u wud bcome a good lawyer ir barrister. next

FriedPlantain:
All these ediots that just like hyping their schools for no reason in particular and parroting condescending remarks about other schools are majorly kids that do not know sh1t beyond whatever crap they are being fed in school. "Better by far bullshit ", "A 2.1 in my school will make first class in yours" and many others shit you lot just like saying.

Ediots like you always end up dropping that mentality once you are done with school and have stayed one year at home with no job forthcoming.

wen dey get to an office like mine, and start to hear i grad from warwick,leeds, oxford, Nottingham, manchester, Loughborough uni, dem go get sense. na small pikin dey do all dis crap, u can go to d worst school in nigeria and be a d top performer at work

somadinho10:
My performance was average when I was an undergraduate and that was because I didn’t put in enough effort in the first three years. By the time I was in 400 Level, I knew that I didn’t want to finish with a 2.2, so I started making the necessary......in other news he didn't put much effort in his undergraduate days

no mind d mofo.I'm not sure he thoroughly read what he posted

And the sch is not in the first 1000 in the world nor is it among the first 10 in africa.All these over hyped cramming education of urs sha.

ednut1:
wen dey get to an office like mine, and start to hear i grad from warwick,leeds, oxford, Nottingham, manchester, Loughborough uni, dem go get sense. na small pikin dey do all dis crap, u can go to d worst school in nigeria and be a d top performer at work

True talk...

ednut1:
wen dey get to an office like mine, and start to hear i grad from warwick,leeds, oxford, Nottingham, manchester, Loughborough uni, dem go get sense. na small pikin dey do all dis crap, u can go to d worst school in nigeria and be a d top performer at work

leave them let them be forming better by far there, they would soon find out that their direct boss might be a graduate from Federal University, Umukuro

All Anti-OAU members will start parading the thread.

I didn't see any logical reason to validate your submission. Maybe when you compare the intellectual output of graduates from different schools based on their grades, I will listen to you. Meanwhile up FUT Minna!!!

Hmm... just graduate 1st. we're waiting for your testimonies about life after school

Dude! It's not really a function of the institution per say.... I believe it depends on the person if you want to graduate with whatever grade, all you gotta do is work for it! thou I admit some lecturers are tough.... it's not about grades but about what you can offer

am sure the poster of that news is still an undergrad who is yet to get any experience of what life really is. I congratulate the 1st class lady. I also know that there is more to life than academic first class. At best 1st class is most admired in the classroom of Academic institutions. in life, in the field of life there is a different rule altogether.

Obinnau:
overhyped nonsense. Swerve right.

Coming from a graduate of MALULAG

someone actually sat down to write all this to "prove" nonsense?

There's even no proof in what was written to validate the topic.

Here's my take, it you're in OAU you just proved your third class (which I'm sure is your grade based on the gibberish you posted) isn't worth pass in other schools.

Based on this it's safe to assume even the first class in OAU is equivalent to 2.2 in other schools.

Hope you've learnt how to highlight & validate points with proof?

The most annoying are those Unilorin kids always shouting better by far.

As far as Nigeria is concerned, a top-notch barrister told me that, it doesn't matter what school school you graduated from, the important thing is what you do with the degree you've got.

Academic success is largely an individual stuff. Ask Dr. Ben Carson, he skipped more than 80% of classes and studied on his own.
Where was OAU, UI, UNN, When some guys from state schools bagged first class from law school 2013 section??

I only respect OAU for it's architectural outlook, but in all other stuffs, it's same cracked up-naija-system. Living on past glories

So many goats on Nairaland

Have you gone to other schools to know their standard?

ManTiger:
Coming from a graduate of MALULAG

malu what?

*yawning* People, its not about what you graduate with or which school you attended, what its about is "can you defend what you graduate with outside your school?".

Only Legon university better dx crap wey no enter first 2,000 universities,next thread plz

joseph1832:
*yawning* People, its not about what you graduate with or which school you attended, what its about is "can you defend what you graduate with outside your school?".

That's true bro, but all u stated also depends on d standard of d school

willian10:

That's true bro, but all u stated also depends on d standard of d school

Standard or no standard, in the end, it depends on you and only you.