JOS UNIVERSITY LAW EXCHANGE PROGRAM [JULEP]

I used to dream as a child. I had wild imagination and serious creativity. At one point, I started my own Nollywood Company; at another, my own “power rangers” team—for me, if I can see it, I can do it. ?But then, there were challenges and it often almost never worked. To cure this cancer of ideas, I read voraciously, satisfying the appetite of starving dogs, to fill the knowledge gap—to know how things work, how ideas become reality.

Shortly after the Mock Call to Bar Ceremony (the very first in the history of the University) we had in October 2023, I set out to organize an “Exchange Program”. I have read about exchange programs in books and how it impact student’s developmental growth, I wanted to do one too. The knowledge of the law should be attended too with practical exposure; I know this. It birthed the idea of the Jos University Law Exchange Program [Which would be referred to as “JULEP”]

I shared the idea with Aimee Luke, Kinpye Milam, Marvellous Kango, Eze Kingsley, a host of others too. A team was setup. Our mandate was designed. Tasks were allocated and commitment was expedient—it was time to transform dream to reality. Our idea was to be a tripod: to visit a law faculty and exchange ideas; to visit the Supreme Court and witness the judiciary from the highest standpoint and to visit top law firms and interact with lawyers and in addendum, visit to organizations too. Simple to spell out, but we had challenges. Many challenges!

We started active plan by February: drafting letters; submitting them; doing follow-up and tossed around. We persisted, February, March, and by 3rd of April, we were unsure. I summoned an emergency meeting by 7:00pm to relate the state of things to the team. There would be no law faculty visitation. We had only one firm that has given approval. We had to pivot; it was necessary, expedient and crucial. With a couple of calls and God’s help our event was salvaged.

At the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Center, the life and times of the late Shehu was explained by our tour guide. Reading through the anals of history, it can be right to pose that the historical blood of Nigeria runs through the Yar’adua’s—knowing them means knowing Nigeria. We learnt this!

The Supreme Court of Nigeria [Which would be referred to as “SCN”] the tour guide took us beyond the conventional. Yes, the final year class was almost honored beyond the glorification of a popular Pentecostal pastor. The SCN, being the apex, highest and top of the ladder, in the family tree of court in the country, was dissected with the skillness of an old surgeon by the tour guide. The tour guide understood the assignment.

The law firms went outside the JULEP script and did extra. Omaplex Law Firm, Maxon & Prime Legal, Marcus-Okoko & Co., Y.C Maikyau & Co., and P.P.E & Associates all hosted the students in the most glamorous and hospitable way possible—for some students, it marked a re-definition of legal practice. O.M Atoyebi SAN, who had at one point being the youngest senior advocate in Nigeria spoke with the students; Mr. Y.C Maikyau, SAN, the NBA President narrowly missed the students and Ms. Diane Okoko had joined the students from the United Kingdom to talk about their hybrid international legal practice—worthy!

We proceeded to the World Intellectual Property Office [Which would be referred to as “WIPO Office”] amidst strict security measures associated with the United Nations, we had Ms. Fatai Taiwo Itunu welcome us so warmly; despite the logistical challenges, this UN specialized agency was willing to wait for us. We kick started the event. Answering the students many questions about intellectual property law and career growth was Dr. Oluwatobiloba Moody of WIPO Office. Dr. ‘Tobi, a humble man to the core had even provided refreshments as well as given his cards to almost all the students participants. Yes, the DG walked us to our bus and said “hi” to those who could not come in due to identity challenge.

In the evening, we had the Meet and Greet with our Alumni. Relatedly, we had our senior colleagues who had left the faculty come share their experience at the labor market. Like the rapture of the saints as described in the book of Thessalonians, Corinthians and Revelation, it was a great re-union—those who preceded had met with those who succeeded.

?Many thanks goes to the staff advisor of the Jural Court, Mr. Mahan Mafuyai, Esq., the planning team who tirelessly worked themselves in Abuja and over the past three months to host over fifty-law students. Our adjunct staff advisor, Mr. Samuel Magaji, Esq., was supportive beyond words.

One-day, I’ll write about this place

Oliver Azi