OKEY WALI, SAN (LAWYER)
Interviewed by Funke Olaode
What influenced you to study law?
I never set out to be a lawyer. I got into law by accident. My childhood ambition was to be a medical doctor. I passionately nursed this ambition while growing up, paying more attention to the sciences up to my school certificate. I changed my career choice when I didn’t get a good result in Physics. I felt too proud to re-take Physics. I opted for something else. I just looked at the subject combination and opted for the arts. My background in the sciences really helped me. With my good A’ Level result the best option was law. I thank God for that accident. I have no regrets. I don’t know if any other profession would have treated me as well as law. I was once Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State. I am a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and capped it all by being elected as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). I have found fame and fortune in the wig and gown profession.
How did you get attracted to medicine?
If you were a good science student, naturally what came to mind was to be a medical doctor. I saw it as a way of caring for humanity. I wanted to do it, but God had His way in my life.
What factor shaped your life while growing up?
My father was a civil servant. He was a disciplinarian. He taught me to live a modest life and live within my means. I adhered strictly to that. When I got into the profession, certain persons influenced my career; my boss then Chief William Chuckwu in Port Harcourt. My career took a turn for the better when I came across Chief. G.O.K Ajayi (SAN). I had a privilege of being led by him in a matter in 1992/93 at the Court of Appeal. He impacted so strongly on me and my career. Honestly, it was a turning point in my career.
What challenged you as a lawyer?
I didn’t know what the profession was all about. When I was being called to the Bar I remember the Nigerian Law School used to place order for our collars and bibs in those days. I only ordered for one wig, one collar and one bib while others were ordering for one dozen and half dozen. But with the grace of God here we are today.
How would you describe your experience in the courtroom?
From day one, I resisted a very strong pull to go into politics because I get a lot of job satisfaction from the legal profession. When I became the attorney general it was the governor that took my name to the house of assembly without even telling me because he knew I enjoyed my life in the court room. It was a wonderful experience for me when I eventually served. The bottom line is that I breathe, eat, and sleep legal profession. After my tenure as NBA president I went back to my practice.
What lesson has life taught you?
Life has taught me that it is God only that directs our path. You know as a being you could plan and God directs you to another path. I desired to be a medical doctor and I found myself in the legal profession where I reached the peak. I have learnt in life that do your best and leave the rest to God. I have also learnt that hard work pays.
If you had to turn back the hands of the clock, are there things you would have done differently?
There are lots of things one would have done differently from the way one was guided. I have learnt that life is not what you want or what you desire. God is the ultimate and He leads our paths. I am a man of faith. I do my own and leave the rest to Him.
When would you consider the best moment?
I have been this and that. I served as commissioner for justice in my state and later became the president of the Bar. Sometimes you get appointed to offices because somebody likes your face and feels he can work with you. You are there at his/her pleasure but when your colleagues from all over the country found you worthy of being their leader, it was a humbling feeling for me. I remember during the electioneering moment my name was all over the place. And not only that, I got a lot of goodwill from my colleagues which made the job easy for me. I am grateful. The icing on the cake was the day I became a grandfather. It was a wonderful feeling.
How would you describe your personality?
I have always been a cool and calm person right from my childhood. I had my early education in Nigeria: Primary, secondary and higher school certificate before I went to England. I attended University of Buckingham, United Kingdom for a degree in law, graduating in 1983. I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. This is me and nothing has changed over the years.
Can you say all your life aspirations have been fulfilled?
No man fulfills all life aspirations but so far life has been good. I have found fulfillment in both my career and family life. I thank God for expansion. Right now, I enjoy being called a grandpa. And when my grand-child picks up the phone and says ‘Good afternoon, grandpa.’ I feel good about it.
Interviewed by Funke Olaode
What influenced you to study law?
I never set out to be a lawyer. I got into law by accident. My childhood ambition was to be a medical doctor. I passionately nursed this ambition while growing up, paying more attention to the sciences up to my school certificate. I changed my career choice when I didn’t get a good result in Physics. I felt too proud to re-take Physics. I opted for something else. I just looked at the subject combination and opted for the arts. My background in the sciences really helped me. With my good A’ Level result the best option was law. I thank God for that accident. I have no regrets. I don’t know if any other profession would have treated me as well as law. I was once Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State. I am a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and capped it all by being elected as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). I have found fame and fortune in the wig and gown profession.
How did you get attracted to medicine?
If you were a good science student, naturally what came to mind was to be a medical doctor. I saw it as a way of caring for humanity. I wanted to do it, but God had His way in my life.
What factor shaped your life while growing up?
My father was a civil servant. He was a disciplinarian. He taught me to live a modest life and live within my means. I adhered strictly to that. When I got into the profession, certain persons influenced my career; my boss then Chief William Chuckwu in Port Harcourt. My career took a turn for the better when I came across Chief. G.O.K Ajayi (SAN). I had a privilege of being led by him in a matter in 1992/93 at the Court of Appeal. He impacted so strongly on me and my career. Honestly, it was a turning point in my career.
What challenged you as a lawyer?
I didn’t know what the profession was all about. When I was being called to the Bar I remember the Nigerian Law School used to place order for our collars and bibs in those days. I only ordered for one wig, one collar and one bib while others were ordering for one dozen and half dozen. But with the grace of God here we are today.
How would you describe your experience in the courtroom?
From day one, I resisted a very strong pull to go into politics because I get a lot of job satisfaction from the legal profession. When I became the attorney general it was the governor that took my name to the house of assembly without even telling me because he knew I enjoyed my life in the court room. It was a wonderful experience for me when I eventually served. The bottom line is that I breathe, eat, and sleep legal profession. After my tenure as NBA president I went back to my practice.
What lesson has life taught you?
Life has taught me that it is God only that directs our path. You know as a being you could plan and God directs you to another path. I desired to be a medical doctor and I found myself in the legal profession where I reached the peak. I have learnt in life that do your best and leave the rest to God. I have also learnt that hard work pays.
If you had to turn back the hands of the clock, are there things you would have done differently?
There are lots of things one would have done differently from the way one was guided. I have learnt that life is not what you want or what you desire. God is the ultimate and He leads our paths. I am a man of faith. I do my own and leave the rest to Him.
When would you consider the best moment?
I have been this and that. I served as commissioner for justice in my state and later became the president of the Bar. Sometimes you get appointed to offices because somebody likes your face and feels he can work with you. You are there at his/her pleasure but when your colleagues from all over the country found you worthy of being their leader, it was a humbling feeling for me. I remember during the electioneering moment my name was all over the place. And not only that, I got a lot of goodwill from my colleagues which made the job easy for me. I am grateful. The icing on the cake was the day I became a grandfather. It was a wonderful feeling.
How would you describe your personality?
I have always been a cool and calm person right from my childhood. I had my early education in Nigeria: Primary, secondary and higher school certificate before I went to England. I attended University of Buckingham, United Kingdom for a degree in law, graduating in 1983. I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1984. This is me and nothing has changed over the years.
Can you say all your life aspirations have been fulfilled?
No man fulfills all life aspirations but so far life has been good. I have found fulfillment in both my career and family life. I thank God for expansion. Right now, I enjoy being called a grandpa. And when my grand-child picks up the phone and says ‘Good afternoon, grandpa.’ I feel good about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment