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    • Law Student of the Week – Oyewale Faith Bamise

    Our Law Student of the Week is Faith Oyewale. He is a final year student of law at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria. He’s held several positions including President, Liberation Chambers, OAU. He’s also participated in a whole lot of moot and mock competitions. Follow our full interview with him below.

     

    1. Kindly introduce yourself.

    I am Oyewale Faith Bamise. I am a final year student of law at Obafemi Awolowo University. I am passionate about winning always, no matter how little the task may be. I have keen interest in team building and motivating younger ones.

     

    2. What spurred your decision to study the law?

    My father basically. He really loves the profession. When I was in secondary school, I was an art student. So my father did hint me about the legal profession subtly(no coercion). He kept hinting me, so I got interest too and my grandiloquence in anything relating to writing or speech delivery also spurred my decision.

     

    3. Who is your role model and why?

    Cristiano Ronaldo. I spend time watching him on YouTube. He makes me believe hardwork will beat talent if talent refuses to work hard. I really believe in hard work and because of this, I always have the notion that whenever I am, there is no one better than me. Cristiano Ronaldo nurtures this belief too.

     

    4. Kindly give an insight on the ground breaking achievements that have accrued to you since you kicked off your study of the law.

     

    It still marvels me how I had pulled up with numerous achievements in just 5 years but it’s been God . I cant exhaust them here. But within 5 years, I have participated in more than 20 national and international competitions and won virtually all. I have held leadership positions as well. To mention few, won Spirit of the Competition Award at Herbert Smith Freehills- National Law University, New Delhi, India, won the Best Counsel Award at Bowen University Moot and Mock competition, won Best Counsel Award and Best Debater at Barr. Gbenga Ojo Moot and Mock competition at Lagos State University, Won Best Counsel Award at Osun State University Moot and Mock Competition, Won Best Counsel Award at Professor Adediran Inter Chambers Moot and Mock Competition…etc. Leadership wise, I am the President of Liberation Chambers, Faculty of Law, OAU and also a sitting justice of the House of Lords, OAU.

     

    5. In what aspect of law do you intend practising and why?

    Before now, it was litigation. But now, funnily, I think Sport law but it is not really practised in Nigeria. So if I eventually practice in Nigeria, I will still go with litigation or corporate law because of the money.. *laughs*

     

    6. What other things do you do asides law?

    I do a lot of things. I am a good footballer so I play football a lot. I also do motivational talks and I rap which sometimes causes my friends to insult me. *laughs*

     

    7. As a final year student at your institution, can you give a short appraisal of the undergraduate leg of the Nigerian Legal Education?

    Well, I feel the standard is getting deteriorated everyday. We are still taught what is being taught 15 years ago which I feel should not be. I believe the Nigerian law school is the only avenue where students are exposed to thorough drilling. But in my school, we have learnt to live with struggle, so it is not a big deal.

     

    8. What is your counsel to other law students, irrespective of class?

    They should always place their eyes on the prize. Determination and focus are both need for a successful academic voyage as an undergraduate. Also, I will like to encourage law students to also engage in extra curricular activities such as holding leadership positions, attending conferences, as the importance of exposure in this profession cannot be overemphasised.

     

    9. More often than not, law students express their displeasure for litigation. In your opinion, what seems to be the problem?

    I think early carrier in litigation practice does not fetch more financial reward. And indeed, the top firms in Nigeria are basically into commercial practice of law. Also, more lazy students are often churned out than before and litigation practice requires hard work and consistency. The issue of delay in litigation is also a discouraging factor.

     

    10. Any down side the pursuit of your legal career?

    Till now, I cant pinpoint any down side.

     

    11. Any final words?

    As my friend, Oyiki Great will always say “let the future fall in place while we are young”. I just want to say that nothing is impossible to achieve. Records that have been set can be broken but in doing this, time is of the essence. Whatever you want to make of the future must start now. Finally, we must always know that the best we can do is our best. Our lives are anterior to success and so, a man does not succeed in the grave. We must not be desperate. God is important in everything we do.