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LLB FINAL JOURNEY 🎓

Seven or eight years ago, my dream was the Nigerian Defence Academy. I wanted to become a military officer. That dream began in childhood and eventually led me to the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Calabar.

Law was never the plan.

My father and my late uncle, Uncle Stanley, encouraged me to study Law. At the time, I honestly thought they were speaking gibberish. I had already decided where I wanted my life to go.

But knowing how competitive the NDA could be, I chose Law for JAMB as an alternative, encouraged also by my Government teacher, Mr. Peter Anietie.

Then, somehow, the story changed.

I got into Law.

What began as an alternative became something I understood, appreciated and eventually fell in love with. The backup plan became the profession I now intend to pursue.

Sadly, my late uncle never lived to see me reach this point. That remains one of the bittersweet parts of this journey.

University taught me far more than Law. It taught me about people, leadership, relationships, resilience and life.

My biggest flex was student unionism. I served as SUG PRO and later in other capacities, meeting friends, foes, allies and adversaries along the way.

I learned that leadership is not always about occupying an office, and service does not always come with recognition.

Do not just go through school; let school pass through you.

To my parents, family, lecturers, mentors, leaders, comrades, colleagues and friends, thank you.

To my father, thank you for your constant support in my unionism, conventions and conferences, and for the countless conversations about law, politics and current affairs that have shaped my thinking.

To my mother, thank you for believing in the boy who once dreamed of wearing the military uniform.

I came into university with one dream. I leave with an LL.B., a deeper appreciation of Law, a better understanding of human nature and a clearer sense of purpose.

Today, I look towards becoming a full-fledged legal practitioner.

Perhaps the destination changed, but the instinct to serve did not.

Alhamdulillah.

One chapter closes. Another begins.

Stanley Rishama Mamuda
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