lawyers-from-nigeria

"The most important thing was that we started with an open mind. We had a plan, but we understood that the only thing constant in life is change. And that we had to be flat-footed so that we could adjust to the world because we’re not building a company that will be in isolation with what the realities are. We also knew that there will be changes because of growth and we were prepared for it. So every step of the way where we were mindful of what’s happening around us, and adjusting accordingly for optimization."

"I’m excited because the things that need to be done on a national scale have been done at the sub-national level in Lagos. The incoming president is exposed. He understands the power of the creative industry. He understands the power of tourism, and has played a significant role in the creative industry when he was the Governor of Lagos state. A lot of the things that we have done in Lagos just need to be replicated in other places. We have done the testing and it works. So it excites me what this incoming administration has to do. So I think his previous experience in governance will come to play in our favour."

"We also just finished filming Ward 10, a limited series that will be released on one of the Video on Demand (VOD) platforms later in the year. ‘I Am Number’ with Bisola is coming as well as ‘Naija Meter’ with Mimi Onalaja. My guys and I have been busy. And then of course, also coming is the film city or village that we are going to lead and deliver over the next few years and perhaps decade."

"And like I said, when we launched Ogidi Studios; it was the best at the time and still the best in my humble opinion. And the studio that will be better than Ogidi Studios will still be developed by The Temple Company and it is coming. You can watch this space. With regards to capacity building, right from when we founded this company, we have run master-classes at no cost to attendees and in partnership with thought-leaders in the industry across different areas. We recently partnered with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the University of Lagos and the Henley Business School to train about 1000 people, physically and virtually. We trained people in sound design, production design, songwriting, media studies and filmmaking, etc Again, we just go out and get things done. So, are we where we want to be? No. However, we’re in a better place. We intend to train some more in partnership with the Lagos State government and the Federal government of Nigeria. The more we address the deficits in talent, skill, and infrastructure, the better industry will be, and the better our economy will be."

"I would like to say that we are firm believers in doing, which makes us doers and not talkers because talk is cheap. So every time that there’s been a need, we have gone out to find a way to get something done about it and fill that need. With regards to infrastructure, when stakeholders were complaining about lack of world-class studio facilities, we went on to build ours. Today, we are very proud of Ogidi Studios. And that’s not to say that there are no other studios, some of which are in operation while others are in development."

"If you reflect on your question and the value that you quoted, it just shows you the potential for growth. What is going to happen when we do everything professionally? In the creative industry, unprofessionalism is also a word that is relative because there are really no rules. Let’s take music for instance, sometimes the music that you make on your phone in the middle of the night that you think is not refined might be the one to win you awards. Meanwhile, the one that you sat in the studio that took you two weeks, 14 producers and 18 songwriters might not take off. So, every stakeholder spanning the entire stretch of the industry is a potential contributor to the financial size and value of the industry."

"Well, I don’t think we have really started yet. We’re only scratching the surface at the moment. I don’t think I’m going to feel like I’ve been able to achieve anything until our studio lot is done and we can embark on multi-million-dollar productions of international franchises in Lagos or Nigeria. Until when we can have a production of global standards with a budget of over $200 million, being executed in Lagos or any part of Nigeria, then we haven’t started. I think if you look at the average budget of a film project in global economies such as North America and the UK, it is worth sometimes everything that we have put out in the month. So until when we are able to accommodate that. I’m talking about when we have our film city or film village. At that stage when we can be carrying out multiple projects on a daily and monthly basis. When we can have the capacity to fully engage the majority of the young Nigerians who are keen on participating in the creative industry, then maybe I will feel special but right now, I just feel like there’s a lot more to get done. We are playing our part, we are adding our own quota. We are pushing the limits. We are going to continue to lead in any and every way that is positive. So, how do I feel? I feel like there is a long way ahead and we will get it done by God."

"Starting out The Temple Company, one of the talents you had on board is Bisola Aiyeola amongst others but she seems to be the last woman standing after 7 years – albeit doing great exploits – tell me the story behind the synergy."

"Considering the obvious fact that you came from public service to the entertainment creative space to disrupt the norm, how well or bad would you say you have done on a scale of one to 10 and then why?"

"I will refer to an African proverb that says that if you want to go fast, go alone and if you want to go far, go with people. In any case, collaboration is the new competition. We ask ourselves a lot, what is the value of all of nothing when you can own a part of something. Now, time is also of the essence and it is in our best interest for us to be able to move and to reap the highest number in the quickest possible time. So collaboration is critical. And I mean, we just had to try it. So, once we find people who want the same things as us, or share our values, we are always eager to work with them for the greater good. So, it’s not about me or about The Temple Company, it is about Lagos, Nigeria, Africa and the world. And when it is about the world, we can go that extra mile to get the best results."

"It’s been herculean. It’s been very tough because we’re doing what hasn’t been done before. There was no model. So, when you do what hasn’t been done before, it means that people can use you as a guinea pig. They learn quickly from your mistakes so they don’t have to make them and they can quickly leapfrog from the right things that you have done. So, it’s been tough, but rewarding. And I think that the reason we’ve been able to survive is because of the people of The Temple, my colleagues. There have been changes because not many people who started this journey with us are still here. Somehow, along the way, we’ve been able to find and work with people who share ideals and values with us, people who believe in the vision and the dream. And so at every point of the way, it’s always been the people. Also importantly, the funding because without the resources all you can just do is to plan. So, we’ve had the resources as well, and the people. Thanks to the board and the investors in The Temple Company who have helped us to continue to forge ahead."

"So we have a few projects that are coming on in television, film, and concerts. Some of them I can talk about and some of them I can’t talk about yet. There’s something huge coming up in December in Lagos. ‘Introducing the Kujus’ won an AMVCA award last year and we have done a sequel called ‘The Kujus Again’. This time the movie features Don Jazzy who is appearing for the first time in a movie. We’re also going to go into the production of a series for young people that touches on culture, Lagos, tourism etc, principal photography begins in May."

"Well, it’s not just Bisola that is still with us. But I’ll talk about Bisola as a reference point for all the other talents that are still here after all this while. I think it’s really simple. There are no shortcuts for anybody who signs to The Temple Company intending to cash out real quick. Their expectations will not be met. This is because we believe very strongly in planning, research, and detailing. We also understand that it’s actually a long game. Your intention is not to have a career that is going to last for one year. So it is something that we have to continue to build. There are many ‘yeses’ that you will not be happy to say that you must say and there are many ‘nos’ that you would have to say that in the short term might not make a lot of sense to you as a talent. So again, it is about shared vision, goals and mutual understanding that every day will not be Christmas. So we’ll be there with you during the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’. There’s also the fact that our talent services are divided into two, management, and agency clients. For management clients, it is a 360 service that is also exclusive. However, our agency clients are at liberty to sign multi-agency agreements. When we find things that suit you, we’ll reach out to you. You earn, we share."

"Again, it is always about the people. Everything revolves around people. The people in government need us outside the government and the people outside the government need the people in government. So, we’re partners in progress. I did work in the public sector, so it gives me some experience. However, I don’t think it gives us any unfair advantage. I think what it has just done is that it makes us better prepared to help solve problems. Now that I am wearing the shoes of the private sector, it also helps me to know where the shoes pinches the most and in that regard, I advise the government or make requests that will be beneficial to all parties concerned."

"The situation in Plateau State is not too different from other states, though the context of our security challenges differs by zone"

"Plateau State is one of the most blessed lands in the country. Our advantage in agriculture is God-given. Ninety percent of what we used to call Irish potatoes is produced here. We have renamed it Plateau potatoes, because I think we deserve the exclusive rights in the propagation and production of potatoes."

"We are in partnership with institutions such as the African Export and Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK) where the primary focus is trade financing."

"I’ve never been removed. Impeachment or removal is democratic and constitutional, but in doing that, you must follow due process. I am not against that. If I do that, then I am not democratic."

"I find both law teaching and practice to be equally stimulating and fulfilling"

"I have always been a loyalist. If they are just realising that now, then they have not been part of us from the genesis."

"It is not a sin to have an ambition."

"I think infrastructure should form the bases for adding value to commodities and then using that as a platform for exporting finished products rather than raw materials."

"Africa’s future can be built on three institutions, and I have been involved in all. The AfDB, obviously, is the primary institution which is a partnership between Africa and an African interest. Then you have the Cairo-based African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank), which primarily deals with short-term trade finance. And you have the AFC as the third leg of that tripod which should provide infrastructure financing."

"My path to studying law was not as straightforward. I actually studied Law by mistake. And that is easily the best mistake I have ever made."

"As a consequence of this, no State Government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of organization or agency for the defense of Nigeria or any of its."

"Your character and humility have kept us thinking that you came from another planet. Your humility makes us happy, you have protected the image of this university and we are impressed"

"It is unimaginable that someone who held a high-ranking federal position for eight years now resorts to desperate deception to fulfil a personal political ambition."

"Nigeria has a stunted growth in all parameters in the measurement of the growth of a country. We are stunted because by now we should be running, but we are hardly crawling."

"The setting up of the paramilitary organization called “Amotekun” is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law."

"If animals celebrate the death of a butcher, has the knife also died? If beneficiaries of the mandate of the people are defecting, have the people also defected?"

"Whoever is in power needs to be told the truth and that is the basis of all religions."

"People today cannot afford to feed themselves. So many children are out of school. The hospitals are abandoned because they are unapproachable. These are issues that affect the electorate."

"Thus severely reprimanded and absolutely embarrassed, we sat down quickly and throughout that Equity lesson, prayed earnestly that he would forget our first meeting. It was not a favourable introduction and so I sat down quickly beside Tessy who promptly settled down and started taking notes as the lecture progressed."

"As you may guess, I got only a C for Equity Law following the assessment that year (but later when we got engaged) I asked him why he had given me such a low score when I did so well at the other law subjects, he said (with an amused grin), “I didn’t give you a C, you deserved a C – you probably hardly listened during my lectures – you were too busy admiring the lecturer”! I have not let him forget that he marked my paper extremely harshly! That was how we met!"

"I can honestly say that I heard nothing, saw nothing, and understood nothing - apart from staring in awe at the face of the gorgeous Dr Iwobi! I was so lost in wonder that Tessy nudged me a few times and said, “Uzo! stop this at once and face your book ooo, with all the people interested in him – such a man will definitely have a lady in his life”. I totally ignored Tessy and stared at him for the entire lesson – I do not recall writing anything down during that first lesson."

"I was a rather plain and ordinary young lady – who always had a passion for justice and equity (no pun intended)! I had a spring in my step and worked hard to do well in my studies and graduate as a Law graduate. I recall that early in my third year of Law studies in UNEC, we had to study some core law subjects, one of which was “Equity Law” taught by our then Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law called Dr Andrew Ubaka Iwobi. At this point, I had never seen this lecturer in passing so had no idea who he was."

"Thank you all so much for inspiring me – diolch yn fawr from a truly grateful Welsh Nigerian woman."

"Andrew and I met at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus Law School lecture hall in 1989. Andrew was a dashing young and extremely handsome man with a bright future ahead of him. Andrew comes from a mixed heritage background – his mum Letty is from a white English / Jewish heritage and his dad Charles is a black Nigerian man. He was highly sought after by many young ladies in our university and by other young women within his circle of friends not just for his dashing good looks and charming personality, but he had an outstanding academic background."

"I’m so delighted and so excited to receive this award. I had no idea and didn’t expect it at all. I’m very humbled that an institution I worked in as a part time law lecturer all those years ago and studied in where people invested in me and help develop me have remembered me in this sway."

"Andrew had achieved a First Class Hons Degree in Law from the University of Jos and qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor at the Law School in Victoria Island Lagos -graduating with the best overall result in the Nigerian Law School in his year 1981. He was awarded the Teslim Elias Prize for “The Best Overall Performance” at the Nigerian Law School and was also awarded a second prize which was the Nabo Graham-Douglas Prize for Commercial Law at the Nigerian Law in the same year. At 25yrs he produced a well acclaimed thesis on, “Legal Pluralism in the Land Law of Southern Nigeria” and achieved a PHD in Law from Birmingham University UK in 1987."

"When my friend Tessy Ohahuru and I walked into our very first Equity Law Lecture (a little late) Dr Iwobi looked up (his irritation palpable at the disruption to his lectures by the “two late stragglers” – as he called us both; all I could do was return his gaze, but mine was in pure unadulterated puppy love!) and I turned and whispered to Tessy – “There is the man that I will marry”! Dr Iwobi then sternly reprimanded us for turning up late and asked us to sit down quickly and then stated that next time that happened, we had to stand outside as we would not be allowed in. He said, “No stragglers will be allowed into my lecture”."

"I want to say to all the students – believe in yourself, work extremely hard, never take no for an answer, keep pounding on those doors and be prepared that you will fail at some thimngs and that is actually ok because you learn but never ever give up. I believe if you keep going and follow the lessons you’ve learned at this University the sky is our limit."

"Andrew was a brilliant, intelligent and well-read young man and was serving at the time as the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law at Enugu Campus. He was lecturing within the Law school at the time and taught my classmates and I the much dreaded “Equity Law”. He was noted as UNEC’s most eligible bachelor and many of the ladies in our class gawked at Andrew, wanting to date him, marry him – whatever… well so did I. He was 28yrs old and I was 20yrs old."

"I am absolutely speechless and humbled to receive this wonderful news. Looking back at my 23year old self who arrived in Wales I could not have imagined this moment. Having worked so hard to gain acceptance, to have been mentored by so many amazing people and believe ever so strongly – that by God’s grace, hard work and determination pays off – I thank whoever nominated me and honestly can’t describe how humbled and delighted I am to receive this news from the brilliant WEN Wales team"

"I’m more purpose-driven and I have a sense of direction. Now I know what is real and what is not."

"I think what I owe Nigerians is to say that I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t break the law. The NYSC I did and finished. That is the much I can tell you. Everything I did was by the law."

"Last year, on Saturday, 14th September 2019, at approximately 5:52 pm, a fire broke out in my house at No 15, Justice Lawal Uwais Street, Asokoro, Abuja. Many of my documents were lost in the fire, including which was my NYSC certificate. Therefore, I am writing to apply for the replacement of my NYSC Certificate that was lost in the fire incident."

"I don’t know what you have heard. There have been so many different accounts of that particular situation. The fact that I am sitting here means that I didn’t do anything wrong. But I have not come out to set the record straight as to what happened. The social media has just run rife with different accounts."

"The matter had been adjudicated and one day, I will come out with my account. I have probably done more NYSC than you (presenter). I have done at least two NYSCs in my life."

"My position was based on the fact that virtually all parts of the Niger Delta and indeed other geo-political zones of the country had contending issues with which to discuss with government."