Law School Graduation- Matters Arising! I made a trip to Nigeria to attend my daughter’s call to bar recently. As a proud father of a girl being decorated with her wig and gown for the first time, I saw the occasion as a very proud moment. I had planned for a few of my friends to be in the hall with me to witness this memorable occasion but my daughter told me that there are only two invitation cards per candidate. On the day of the event, we traveled from Maitama to the Law School which took quite sometime. Fortunately we left early so we could also get there early. The road to the Nigerian Law School in Abuja was the first signal I had that all may not go well. I however consoled myself that at least the roads in Abuja are okay. To get into the hall did not appear to be a problem as I saw Nigerians queuing up. This was impressive. Then we got into the hall through one entrance at the back. As I understood, there were going to be about 300 candidates, so I estimated that the hall could accommodate about 900 at least. I looked round the auditorium of our Nigerian Law School accommodating over 900 people. There was no fire extinguisher anywhere in the auditorium. Then NEPA did their work and the generator came on stream to help us out. As we got in we started looking for seats to sit down. I exclaimed to myself I thought there are two invitation cards per candidate which meant they know the number of people to be seated in the hall. So why are there no seats for invitees? I was not alone standing so I was consoled. After all it is my daughter’s big day and I was ready to be part of it. To make matters worse however, I saw people going to the back of the auditorium near the toilets and coming out with plastic chairs. So I followed. I was however told that there were no more chairs by the attendants. While still standing there some chairs came for some persons who each paid 500 Naira and made away with two chairs each in my presence. I was annoyed that after coming in with invitation card, I had to beg for chairs to sit. Now I have to do like others and pay as well. I asked the woman to get me two chairs which she did. I gave her 200 Naira only to be told it was not enough. As I was contemplating on whether to pay or not, a man walked by and said “I beg give am enough na” I kept on wondering how much does a plastic chair cost in the Law School auditorium in Abuja? The management needs to answer this. On coming out with my chairs, I saw an old woman who must have come for her grand child. I could not imagine that she was to be standing for the whole duration of the programme with an invitation card in her hand. I therefore gave up my plastic chair. So I stood through out the programme. When the occasion was to begin, a woman came out and made announcements. I thought that was housekeeping. At least tell us the procedure for the day, where the toilets are, where to exit in case of fires or other emergencies. But we did not have any of these. I knew there was no need for them because no body knows how many people were in that hall. We were only told of the personalities who will be there. As if this was not enough, I watched as the programme booklet was being distributed to some individuals. I thought it was for everybody in the hall. Then to my surprise, the distributors came back for their monies. The programmes were to be sold! I asked how much? The lady said 600 Naira for one. So I said I won’t pay that amount and I want to see their “Oga”. She went in and later came with their Oga- a young man in blue jeans and shirt. I asked him why he should be selling free programmes to us in the hall and that I would report the case. Then to every body’s astonishment, he answered that we should understand that condition is not good for them and this is how they are making ends meet. This touched me. The question is- is it that things are not good or this is our mindset in the country? Just like any other occasion, the event went on and people were tired of staying in. Many of us then decided to leave the hall. The door through which we came in has now been locked with padlocks. There were so many people wanting to go out. A young man who claimed to be in charge of the place told us we could not go out until the event was over. So arguments ensued between him and some others. All of a sudden, a man who was dressed like a chief came around. We all believed Nigerians respected chiefs so we would go out. The young man stood his ground. But alas, every one has a price! The chief called the young man to the side and we saw Naira changing hands. After that the door was swung open and we were allowed to go out. I exclaimed to my self when can we get things right in this our country? Why should we treat ourselves this way? Where are the morals we all learn and that is being preached everyday in the country? The day would have been better organized by the Law School by contracting it to an event management firm rather than the school doing things themselves. There is no reason why an invitee should stand for an occasion that has been planned for long. Discussing with others, it appears this has become a common practice by the Law School management. It is high time an institution that is producing lawyers got their act together. A lot of money is being paid by parents to get their children and wards go through the institution for the one year. It is the pride of every parent who can make it to get there and be treated right. If there are not enough seats then please limit the number of invitation cards to one per candidate and let invitees be comfortable in the auditorium. If things have been done right, there would not be room for little bribes as was seen. The Law school should correct this. Some of the graduating lawyers saw when the bribes were being given and taken. So what are they being taught? If this is happening right in the law school then we are doomed! Dr Anyanate Ephraim
|
# 
Your Comments
Please make The Square an enjoyable experience for everyone by refraining from gratuitous ad-hominem contributions, defamatory comments and off-topic posting. Such posts will be removed.