NBA ELECTIONS 2020: OF PROPAGANDA, GRADES AND MANY OTHER TIME WASTERS: A RESPONSE TO MR. FIDEL ALBERT AND HIS CO-TRAVELLERS (Part 1)

I have observed with keen interest how a certain Fidel Albert (allow me to refer to him as Mr. F for the purpose of this riposte) – apparently a Partner at a law firm in Lagos and a supporter of Dr. Ajibade’s campaign- as well as other individuals under various names and pseudonyms have attempted to push an agenda which had been laid to rest early on in the NBA 2020 elections campaign: an agenda that is frankly unintelligent, asinine and entirely banal.

The agenda of this individual- Mr F- and his cohorts (which is nothing but an attempt – albeit futile- to curry the sympathy of young voters who are overwhelmingly supporting Olumide Akpata into supporting their camp) is that the law firm of Olumide Akpata, Templars, only employs first class graduates. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

I would typically not respond to such diatribe, as they are a waste of useful time, but we must nail the coffin on certain ridiculous displays once and for all, and I came with my claw hammer for this one. The masquerade cannot keep dancing in the market square.

To start with, I must reveal that I am lucky to have seen all sides of the divide in relation to the various Presidential candidates. I currently work at Templars, I have worked for both Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (an ardent supporter of DASAN’s campaign) and I have also worked for Dr. Ajibade, SAN as an associate at his firm. So, unlike Mr. F and his cohorts, my response is not conjecture, these are facts I am entirely privy to and so I am writing from a very informed position.

It is common knowledge, even expected, that employers seek to hire the best candidates available for any role. It is equally common knowledge and expected that candidates seek to work in organisations that provide them with significant benefits, incentives, competitive remuneration, job security and career progression – essentially, a comfortable and desirable future.

As with all things in life, not all candidates meet the criteria and not all firms do too, which is why some lawyers would never apply to certain firms because they do not believe those firms will reward them sufficiently or offer them the growth opportunities they desire.

Every employer has employment criteria, every institution does too. For instance, admission into top universities in Nigeria and abroad require a certain baseline score from qualifying secondary school/high school examinations. And even when the baseline is met, there is still a mechanism to sieve out those they consider the best, based on various factors. This is the way all systems work.

That said, is the criteria for Templars a first class? Certainly not! As an associate at Templars and as one who participates actively in basically all entry level interviews for young lawyers seeking to join the Firm, I know for a fact that this is not the case, especially when you consider that less than a quarter of the 100 plus lawyers at Templars have a first class, either from the law school or the university.

What the propaganda spinners have failed to realize is that there are other things an employer considers in hiring- things that altogether make an ideal candidate. Part of what an employer looks at are the other contributions of the applicant, competencies, leadership skills, lawyerly abilities, publications, and soft skills like problem solving, critical thinking, cognitive flexibility, attention to detail etc. Any employer (whether a Presidential aspirant or not) that suggests that these factors are never taken into consideration in the course of hiring is either being insincere or merely playing to the gallery.

And because examples are a fine way to address recalcitrance, I would use myself as one of many examples of a non-first class hire at Templars to address this issue. I did not make a first class at either my university or the law school, neither did I know anyone high and mighty, as Mr. F claims such employees often do, yet I had over time built myself, written articles in national dailies, researched the role, developed competencies and on the basis of merit, I was employed. That is how Templars hires.

I am also aware that Templars had also in the past hired a lawyer who despite making a third class had distinguished himself in other areas, developing soft skills required for the practice of law. And he turned out to be one of the best lawyers at the Firm. So, in making hiring decisions, Olumide Akpata’s Firm considers a wide range of factors which cover – skill set, cognitive and analytical reasoning, experience, internship experience (for new wigs), extra-curricular activities, writing and other skills. Templars prides itself as being an equal opportunity employer. So, either as a young lawyer or experienced hire, first class or not, whatever it is you do or whoever you are- bring your A game to the table and there will always be a place for you at Templars or any where else that one chooses to apply to.

Caleb Adebayo
Member, NBA Lagos Branch
Associate, Templars