FOSTERING BETTER OUTCOMES THROUGH ACCOUNTABILITY AND TEAMWORK (A JIIPCC CASE STUDY)

It is often said that the graveyard holds the greatest potential whether fulfilled or unrealized dreams. Les Brown puts it this way “The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled’’ a sentiment with which I deeply resonate with. This belief forms the foundation of my advocacy for experiential knowledge sharing, particularly through mentorship, internship, and apprenticeship programs. I am not alone in this perspective; many individuals not only recognize but actively promote these informal channels of knowledge exchange across various platforms and disciplines.

This article sheds light on the Juliana Imam Intellectual Property and Creative Consult (JIIPCC), a crucial platform facilitating internship and mentorship opportunities for young professionals in emerging legal niches. As an engineer, I've had the privilege of engaging with legal minds through this initiative, particularly in discussions surrounding energy matters. While it may seem unusual for engineers and lawyers to collaborate closely, there are numerous areas of convergence, often centered around contracts, regulations, compliance, and dispute resolution. However, if you look past some of the legal jargon or replace it with more familiar everyday terms, you will experience this convergence which humbles me and gives me a feeling of privilege but that is a subject for another day.

The mentorship provided by JIIPCC primarily targets young and aspiring lawyers, offering industry experience, guidance, and networking opportunities in a rapidly evolving landscape. In a world where industry boundaries are rapidly blurring, such initiatives are invaluable. JIIPCC brings together seasoned industry experts, including legal practitioners and subject matter specialists, to mentor students and graduates in emerging legal domains such as Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, Data Protection, Intellectual Property, and Energy. Other recently introduced programs include Health tech and Law, Entertainment Business and Law, Patent Drafting, Blockchain NFTs and Metaverse and Alternative Dispute Resolution which altogether are building critical foundation in emerging knowledge areas of the Nigerian legal system which I would say is worthy of commendation.

Having been involved in this program for some time, I've observed a recurring concern within the Q1, 2024 cohort, which mirrors broader challenges within Nigeria. The program requires participants to research key topics, collaborate, and deliver weekly presentations, which are then evaluated by industry experts, providing valuable feedback and access to additional resources if necessary.

During my involvement as an Energy, Oil, and Gas mentor, I encountered a group struggling to meet their presentation deadlines despite diligent research. Intrigued by their challenges, I offered to assist them in identifying the root causes of their difficulties.

Our journey to support this team of six students uncovered common challenges prevalent in today's fast-paced world, particularly post-COVID which we must take seriously. Individuals are increasingly preoccupied with personal and family responsibilities, making it difficult to engage meaningfully with others in the UBUNTU spirit thereby undermining the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration and communal support, essential for societal progress.

Over four days of dedicated effort, we identified various obstacles hindering the team's performance, including lack of motivation, insufficient teamwork, and leadership deficits. By encouraging open communication, streamlining tasks, and fostering a sense of accountability and leadership, we witnessed significant improvements in their slide deck preparations and overall teamwork. Eventually, the team was able to deliver their task and present to the mentors as scheduled after several mock presentation sessions with an impressive turnout based on the mentors’ feedback.

The lessons learned from this experience resonate deeply with Nigeria's socio-economic landscape’s quest for progress. Wishing for change is not enough; rather it requires concerted efforts to build strong institutions, promote accountability, and foster collaborative problem-solving similar to the mentor’s effort. We have experienced these efforts in the Bola Tinubu’s lead administration and many others past regimes, who try to steer progress without much success. Nigeria has since independent been losing potentials due to failed institutional performance which has worsened in the last two decades.

However, all hope is not lost as we saw the mentor’s concerted engagement with the JIIPCC mentees who had the know-how and good will but lacked the resilience and will-power eventually deliver the desired result. It was evident that to get the required result and make the required impact, we need to hold each other accountable for our task and develop a culture of supporting each other’s to succeed. We will make progress when we learn to hold each other hands, climb to stand on the shoulders of those who are tall, strong, experienced and are ahead. On this horizon shall we look at the challenges ahead of us, reframe them by focusing on how they affect us uniquely while proffering solution by learning from others to avoid reinvent the wheel. But the message here is that we must tuck in and pay attention to our unique challenges as a nation and provide the unique answers which London, Europe and the global West cannot provide.

The improved value of the naira in the last weeks is a testament of this reality. Having been working hard across several sectors even with the trial by error approach, we as a nation have simulated our economic scenarios whether correctly or not to identify dependent and independent game changers which when understood and manipulated correctly can change outcomes. Dangote getting his refinery working and delivering 100 million liters of Ago into circulation and Allen Onyema getting Nigeria owned air carrier Air peace up in the skies again from Lagos to London has helped the naira appreciate. Imagine more entrepreneurs and industry players defiling the odds of their space in the wake of the naira to dollar battle, the naira will surely rise again.

As Akinwunmi Adesina suggested during his 2024 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership award, there is a need for change which he suggested could start with literal name change from Nigeria to the United States of Nigeria. However, his overarching idea underscores the need for national unity, accountability across various levels of governance, and institutional reform which promotes the center supporting and strengthening states. By embracing economic restructuring and nurturing strong institutions, we can chart a path towards sustainable development and progress free of institutional corruption.

Ultimately, the transformation of Nigeria lies in our hands as no one is coming to save us. Infact, our opposition will become stronger as we attempt to rise above the sand which our new national carrier Air peace is witnessing with the Lagos to London airfare war. However, by leveraging our collective strengths, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and embracing resilience without sentiment, we can overcome adversity and realize our full potential as a nation. If the mentees of JIIPCC can achieve success through teamwork and perseverance, then surely, Nigerians can too.

@2024 Okeoghene Ugbehe.

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