NBA Elections: Vents of a Young Lawyer

I am a young Nigerian Lawyer and I am very concerned with the up-close NBA presidential elections. I graduated with Second-Class Upper division both at the University and the Nigerian Law School. As a matter of fact, I was the best graduating student in my University. I served in a thriving law firm and luckily, I was paid. I typed ‘luckily’ because I know several of my friends who did not get even N2,000 monthly at the law firms they served. I know I have passion for law practice and I know how several of my friends have the same passion. After service, I commenced the job hunt. I almost gave up on law practice because the search was extremely frustrating. I decided to send my Resume for roles of Legal Advisors, Executive Secretary and even Administrative Assistant. I just really wanted to get something doing. I was scared I might lose track of my interests and few things I had come to know. When I get invited for interviews in these Companies, I find Senior Lawyers (between 3-7 years post call) hustling for the same post. As you can guess, I never got into any of those roles. Don’t be surprised, I had offers from law firms. Budding law firms who were willing to pay me N20,000; N25,000 or N35,000 monthly for hours like 08.00-God knows when. I leave most of these interviews feeling even more frustrated. Why did I study law? I have a friend earning N10,000 monthly in a law firm in Lagos. I have another whose transportation to work is higher than the N45,000 she gets monthly. I have a colleague who lives in Ikorodu and gets N55,000 (tax inclusive) at a law firm in VGC. I have a friend whose Senior Partner believes that she should pay the law firm and not the other way because she is still in the learning practice. I have several friends who made Second-Class Upper division in both University and Nigerian Law School and they are still job-hunting. I am a young lawyer and I am sad!! See, A.B. Mahmoud does not owe me because I never got to vote him in but he should at least care and know about my grouse. I am not bothered about him because this tenure is about to end. I am bothered about how you canvass for your presidential candidates without even understanding what I need from NBA. Most of them have not even mentioned anything regarding their plans on this issue of terrible pay for young Lawyers. Only Paul Usoro has reiterated it times without number and by God’s grace, I will vote for this man! He has convinced me about his strategies for improving the welfare of young lawyers and above all, he cares! These other people obviously do not care. They can’t feel responsible for my plight when they get in there because they don’t even know it now. Gosh, I am waiting out for great opportunities and good pay but you are telling me how good a professor you are. Before you even cast stones, I have interviewed with top law firms and I have gotten to several stages of the recruitment process only for the daughter of a Judge or the son of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who never interviewed to resume few weeks later. Of course, I am currently in a firm where I have no closing time and I get paid double of my transport fare to work. Yes, it’s only the “okay” firms that pay N50,000. I don’t need NBA that organises dinners or parties. I need an NBA that cares about me and my welfare. Have you heard about the body of Pharmacists in Nigeria? This is just an amazing organization and it’s a big shame on NBA. Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) ensures that young pharmacists are cared for and the future of the profession is well protected. They ensure that even the young Pharmacists are well paid. But all you see in NBA are Senior Advocates who believe that young lawyers are made to suffer because they struggled and made paltry sum whilst they were young in practice. Why is it so difficult to be progressive? Can you even compare N10,000 some 30 years back to the same amount in 2018? My rant is just so these other NBA candidates who do not think payment of young Lawyers is a big-deal can hide their faces. Yes, it’s enough ground to vote Paul Usoro, at least he cares! I read his profile and I was even more convinced. He doesn’t only care, he is competent. If you are a young Nigerian lawyer and your care about your welfare, you should know that voting Paul Usoro is the only way out of a seemingly hopeless situation. He has it all and despite that, he still cares. Whether he will live up to his promise is another ball game. Voting these other contestant is a dead end at the end of the tunnel. Paul Usoro, or no one fam. ]]>