To become a lawyer there is a mandatory requirement to obtain a degree in Law and that is attend Law School, have atleast 75% attendance qualifying you to write the Bar final exams. And if you pass, you are called to Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

During my days in the University, I had a lecturer who always said “Law is not for paupers”. I hated him for being so harsh but I knew why he said so when I graduated from Kogi State University, Ayingba and was shortlisted for Law School and I needed to raise a whopping sum of #600,000 to accomplish this dream of becoming a Lawyer.

School fees alone was #295000 then cost of books,slides,uniforms etc.

Family and friends had done the best they could to raise a substantial amount but this was not enough and we were just a few days to resumption. I was also going to leave a one year old child behind who mustn’t starve to death because I had emptied my husband’s account. Hmmmm.

Just when I was about giving up I got a call from Salem Obochi my classmate, she said to me: “Osiyi, do you know Edward Onoja”? He is going to render financial assistance to a number of law students and he insisted the list must not be only Igalas that all tribes in Kogi State must benefit. Call Blessing Isah she is in-charge of collating the names”.

I thanked her and immediately sent
my details to Blessing Isah as told. Shortly after I received an alert of #200,000.

Gbam! I felt like God came down in human form. I felt like Onoja had whispered in my ears “go girl, don’t give up. You can be anything you dream. Just believe. You are not a pauper”.

What endeared me more about the man called Edward Onoja was,he is a servant leader. He didn’t delegate the duty of disbursements. All the beneficiaries got their alerts directly from his bank account. He didn’t even allow us an avenue to say “thank you”. But each day I remember his kind heart I wished for an opportunity to say thank you at least.

It’s been 4years Edward Onoja never asked a favour in return. I am a Lawyer of about 4years postcall now. The dream wasn’t shattered and I am grateful but I still look forward to saying “thank you” to Edward Onoja. I wish him God’s unending blessings and greater heights in his political career. Amen.