The Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, has always been known for being Masters of the Moot throughout Nigerian Universities and beyond. Recently, the Faculty emerged as the winner of the Second National Data Protection Moot Court Competition, the winner, of the Fourth Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Moot Court Competition, and the first runner-up, the Equality Now International Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
Representative from the Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University on Monday, 10th of November, 2023 participated and won the finals of the 4th Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Human Rights Moot Court Competition held in Gambia.
The competition was an initiative of the National Human Rights Commission, Gambia, in association with International IDEA and with support from the European Union. Its significance lies in the fact that it creates awareness about and deepens the understanding of human rights issues across Africa. It also fosters the development of advocacy skills amongst participating law students.
In an exclusive interview session with ACJOAU correspondent, Akinwumi Akinyemi shared his thoughts about the competition
Can you share your name and a brief background about your journey in law school that led you to this prestigious award in Gambia?
I am Akinwumi Akinyemi, a final-year law undergraduate at Obafemi Awolowo University. Reflecting on my journey, I would attribute my growth to the invaluable experience gained through membership in the prestigious IFE LAW Moot and Mock Society. Joining the society helped me hone a unique skill set that I believe has ultimately allowed me to represent not only the committee, my faculty, and my school, but also Nigeria on this global stage.
Can you provide details about the venue where the competition took place, shedding light on its relevance and the atmosphere during the event?
The event took place at the SDK Jawara International Conference Center. The conference center was built to honor the legacy of Sir Jawara, the past president of Gambia, who was recognized during his tenure as a beacon of hope and champion of human rights issues in Gambia and across the African continent. It was only proper that the event took place in such an iconic venue. To underscore the importance of the event and its significance to the Gambian people, the event had in attendance, amongst other dignitaries, the former First Lady of Gambia and the wife of Sir Dawda Jawara.
When did the competition occur, and how do you think the timing impacted its overall impact and significance?
The finals of the competition took place on the 10th of December, 2023. This day serves to commemorate World Human Rights Day and it coincides with the day UNGA adopted the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. The significance of the date of the finals is apparent. Apart from the competition, the day served as an avenue for human rights enthusiasts and experts across the continent to gather, discuss, and proffer recommendations to challenges bedeviling the growth of human rights across Africa.
Were there any notable challenges or obstacles you faced during the competition, and how did you navigate them to secure your success?
A competition of that magnitude is never without its challenges. Particular amongst these challenges was one we faced when we needed to provide a superior argument to that which we had earlier prepared just one day before the finals. Thankfully, we had the much needed help from an expert in the field as well as from our team coach who provided clarity to the issues we were faced with at the moment. Although that resulted in more pressure as it meant that we had to restructure our argument and work with a different plan, it all paid off when our team was announced the winner.
In what ways do you believe winning this award will influence your future endeavors in the field of law and contribute to your professional growth?
Employers in the present day are usually in search of graduates who excel at every facet of their academics, both curricular and extracurricular. I believe that demonstrating excellence at platforms like this endears me to prospective employers. It also deepens my understanding of the law and gives me an early shot at acting like a real lawyer by providing an opportunity to apply the theory that we’re taught within the classroom walls to hypothetical scenarios.
Could you share any memorable moments or highlights from the competition that left a lasting impression on you?
I think the climax of the competition was when our team was announced winner. No matter how many times that happens, you never get used to the tension before that announcement and the joy after it.
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How did you prepare for the competition, and were there specific strategies or resources that you found particularly helpful in your success?
Our preparation for the competition took a hybrid format -sometimes we met online to rehearse, and sometimes we engaged ourselves physically. I think this goes to pinpoint how much technology can aid our endeavors. As to strategies and resources, I would say that the most valuable resource to any organization is the network of human capital at its disposal. It took a village to get us to where we are. This village was responsible for devising the strategies and gathering the resources that eventually culminated in our success at the finals. So the only strategy we employed was to leverage the human capital resource at our disposal.
Considering the global nature of legal issues, how do you think your achievements in Gambia contribute to the broader legal community?
Legal issues are indeed global. More importantly, issues relating to human rights are of utmost relevance everywhere on the earth’s surface where there are humans. At Gambia, by participating in the moot competition, I was able to use the law as a tool to solve complex legal issues and in that vein contribute my perspective to the continually growing discourse on human rights across the globe.
Looking ahead, what aspirations and goals do you have within the legal field, and how do you plan to leverage this award in pursuing those objectives?
Going forward, I aim to work alongside some of the brightest legal minds on market-defining transactions. An award of this sort lays credence to my legal research and writing skills, critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as my advocacy skills and ability to work in a team. These are all skills needed to thrive in today’s legal world and I believe that this award would go a long way in helping me secure opportunities that allow me to contribute meaningfully to impactful legal initiatives.
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What advice do you have for students aspiring to participate in a competition of this nature?
To students looking to participate, I have often found out that we are sometimes our greatest limiting factor. You refuse to participate and ask yourself ‘What if I lose’? and I tell you, what if you win? But in the first place, as always said by the renowned legal scholar, Destiny Ogedenbe, how can you lose when you come here with nothing?
The only way to lose is not to try at all, so begin today. Join that community, write that book, do that tryout, participate in that local competition, and who knows, maybe tomorrow, you’ll be the next person answering these interview questions.
Also, Oluwadamilola Ẹkúndayọ̀, a final year student of the faculty who is also the Vice President of the Moot and Mock Committee of the faculty participated and won in the competition said that she was very excited to share that she and her team emerged victorious at the Sir Dawada Kairaba Jawara International Moot Competition!
She said ‘Not only did we secure the top spot, but I am honored to have been recognized as the Best Oralist. This achievement reflects the countless hours of preparation, dedication, and teamwork that went into presenting our legal arguments’.
She further appreciates her incredible teammate; Akinwunmi and her Prophet; Pastor Usen MJ who decreed it and ensured it was fulfilled. She also appreciated her mentors, particularly Dr. Abuloye and Mr. Dayo Fagbemi who supported and guided them throughout this journey.
“This success is a testament to our collective effort and passion for the law. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious competition, and I look forward to continued growth and success in the field of moot court advocacy.” She said.