Grades don’t determine intelligence, says 22- yr- female table topping lawyer
Miss Ijeoma Ikokwu Jennifer was among the 4, 458 lawyers called to the bar last week, emerging as the overall best in property law.
It would be recalled that the call to bar was conducted by the Body of Benchers and presided over by Justice I .T. Muhammad, with 147 of the graduands making first class and 741 obtained second class upper, 2, 247 earned second class lower while 1, 320 obtained a pass.
Daily Times caught up with Ijeoma after she received her award as overall best in graduating student in property law and she spoke on issues surrounding her background, education and career.
According to her, growing up with parents that showed her love and care contributed immensely to the shaping of who she has become, asserting that standing before thousands of people to receive such an award in the presence of her parents was quite fulfilling.
“In truth, I can’t really describe how I felt. The euphoria I felt that moment remains unexplainable. But, I knew I felt grateful to God that I made my parents and friends proud,” adding that no profession or career part should be seen as exclusive to men or any gender in reaction to property law being a man’s world.
“I don’t subscribe to that belief. Women are breaking boundaries in all spheres of life including the legal profession and even the military. It is just about hard work, dedication, determination and focus on the set goal. Gender has nothing to do with what we become in life or what we achieve both in education and career in general,” she said.
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A law graduate from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ijeoma said serious studying and commitment are among the factors that determine the quality of result a student would come out with and not the name of the school.
“I attended a low school fees paying secondary school that was however good, relative to what my parents could afford at that time. It was not an elite school.
“Personally, I don’t think elitism of any school makes it a better place to acquire quality education. I attended Atlas Comprehensive College, Lagos, where I was taught and groomed to be able to set personal goals and work hard to achieve them.
“Besides, I identified where I wanted to be early in life and was determined not to allow anything or anybody be on my way,” she declared.
According to her, the role of parents in a child’s life is quite important and contributes to a large extent to the self-confidence needed to face the future and succeed.
“My growing up was just like any other child in an average home. However, the twist in my case was that I grew up with a lot of love. My parents were there for me throughout the journey and up till today. They instilled the fear of God in me.
“So, I grew up acknowledging God in all things. My parents are keen on education, so they worked so hard to make sure I had the necessary equipments for my education and to get to this point.
“In addition, I had few relatives who encouraged and supported me. These factors combined to make growing up fun for me,” the young lawyer said.
Asked to say who she is, Ijeoma said she believes in setting goals and achieving them.
“My name is Ijeoma Ikokwu Princess, fondly called by my third mane, Jennifer. I am 22 –years- old and hail from Mgbala in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.
“I am a lawyer and believe in setting goals and achieving them. I have trained myself mentally enough to be able to adapt to any situation, I find myself in and make something meaningful out of it. I am also a chartered mediator and conciliator.
“My advice to young people aspiring to study law and become lawyers is that they be determined and hardworking. The truth is that grade does not determine intelligence, but it gives you an edge.
“Put God first, set achievable goals, be determined, focused and work hard towards achieving them. Without hard-work, nothing grows, except weeds,” she concluded, philosophically.
