My Experience at Joyce Oduah & Co.
Dear Colleagues, let me begin by stating that there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. It is on this premise that I am compelled to share with you, my personal experience and encounter with Mrs Joyce Oduah, FICMC, particularly because this is the right time to judge the various NBA candidates not by their campaign rhetoric but by their track records and the content of their character.
I first met Mrs Joyce Oduah, FICMC at her prestigious law firm, Joyce Oduah & Co. where she is the Managing Partner. I had just resumed work as an Associate lawyer that day. I can remember vividly everything that transpired that day as if it happened just yesterday. At first, she welcomed me formally and introduced me to other colleagues. Later she provided a cozy and tastefully furnished office space for me. She presented me with ample opportunity to learn and guided me on how to handle certain complex legal matters. While at work with my thought also on where my next meal would come from, she directed her office assistant to provide lunch for everybody at work. I was really amazed. At the end of work that day, she provided transportation allowance to me for that week I felt special and confided same sentiments in my other colleagues. Surprisingly, I was duly informed that she provides lunch on daily basis, transport allowance on weekly basis, pays rent, Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues on yearly basis for all her employees.
I can confirm that I enjoyed all these things and even more at Joyce Oduah & Co. For me, it was an enlightening, insightful and exciting experience. As a young lawyer, Madam Joyce as she is fondly called mentored me and a host of other young lawyers. She is passionate about the welfare of young lawyers and she takes mentorship of young lawyers very seriously. In fact, her practice is designed to guide young lawyers properly in practice. She consistently sponsored me and others to attend NBA Conferences and other professional conferences and seminars in order to improve our professional skills. One kind gesture of Madam Joyce I can never forget is the payment of my rent. In a certain year specifically, I had no money to pay my rent and was deeply worried. One day at work, she observed my countenance and sought to know what the problem was. When I told her, she encouraged me to open up to her about problems and gave me money to pay my rent fully. You will agree with me that this is a very rare gesture in the legal community. How many law firms or senior lawyers pay rent for their juniors? Small number I imagine.
My dear colleagues, Joyce Oduah, FICMC is a kind-hearted leader. Beyond her compassionate nature and passion for young lawyers, she is a very diligent lawyer with the right qualities and experience to manage the affairs of the NBA National Secretariat. For these, I have endorsed her for the Office of the General Secretary and will continue to canvass support for her.
I am Paul Ojukwu Okoro, Esq writing from Lagos.
