Behind The Scenes: An Interview Session With The Attorney General About His Team's Participation In The FIS Moot Competition 2023

—Interview By Lkite Adedeji Adebusuyi Raphael 

 

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." — Winston S. Churchill

Not to dilute the frolic and attraction aptly surrounding the three students of the faculty of law, Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko's journey to The Hague, Netherlands, as the Nigerian representatives for the IBC International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition 2023, that has been sprawling around and as well gaining even more daily, prominent recognition throughout Nigeria, it is seemingly enlightening to acknowledge and recall the undisputed brilliant run undertaken by other members of the faculty in the Firdaous Integrated Service (FIS) Moot Court Competition 2023 last week.

Read Also: Three Law Students Of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Represents Nigeria At The Hague, Netherlands For the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition 2023

The 2023 FIS Moot Competition was organized by the organisation of the same name in conjunction with Kenyatta International University, Nairobi. The competition had a remarkable number of universities registered for it, with the actual number totaling 91 universities. In spite of the rigorous procedures entailing memorial submissions and oral advocacy skills, it is shamelessly gratifying that the representatives of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko 'courageously bowed out' after successfully scaling through to the fourth round involving 8 universities, subsequent to the several disqualifications of the other 83 universities in the preceding rounds.

The representatives were Ogunfeyimi Adegboyega (200-level), and Ola Mercy Oluwanifemi (500-level). The coach is the Attorney General of the law student society, AAUA, Idowu Joshua Oluwagbenga (400-level).

To have an interesting unravel, recap, and supposedly first-hand experience of the golden plot on how these epitomes' participation in the moot competition unfolded, legal Kekenke had an interaction session with one of the front representatives, named Idowu Joshua Oluwagbenga.

Idowu Joshua Oluwagbenga is a 400-level law student at the prestigious Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. He currently holds the position of Attorney General of the Law Students' Society, AAUA. Idowu is an unruffled man with a dogged personality, average-sized, but he exhibits an aura of brilliance, excellence, and outstanding qualities in his representation in and outside the faculty, politically and academically. In this interview session, Mr. Idowu revealed some interesting episodes of the FIS competition, the intricacies and swift turnout of the event, as well as his undivergent plans for maintaining the standard earlier set by the Attorney General of the society for the mooting club society.

Interview

Legal Kekenke: Let's have a brief discussion about the FIS moot competition and Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko's law students' participation in the competition.

Idowu Joshua: 2023 The FIS Moot Competition was organized by Firdaous Integrated Services, an organisation aimed at offering legal services, especially those bordering on international Humanitarian Law to countries all over the globe. The competition was organized in conjunction with Kenyatta International University, Nairobi. It's the second edition. The 1st edition happened last year.

On participation of AAUA students, we got notified about the competition during the break. Wherein, we made formal announcement for persons who are interested in representing the school to show up. Several persons showed up, but according to the rules of the competition, only two persons, and a coach can feature in the competition.

So, we settled for two counsels, and a coach. The selection was a rigorous. It's strictly based on competence and dedication.

Legal Kekenke: The broadcast reads "LSS AAUA 'bows out courageously' from the FIS moot competition". In what terms would you describe the statement pertaining to the representatives' participation in the competition?

Idowu Joshua: The competition is such a rigorous one. Ninety-one universities registered for the competition.

 

It involves several stages, - memorial submission stage, oral advocacy round, among others. Out of the 91 universities, 23 were able to qualify for the oral advocacy round. We're part of them. We did the first oral round. At this stage, 17 schools qualified. We're part. We also went for the second round of the stage where 14 schools qualified, and we were also part of it. The next stage featured 8 schools, unfortunately, we didn't make it to this stage .

 

The stages are such that were filled with intricacies. So, if it's said that we bowed our “courageously", then I believe it is.

Legal Kekenke: It is undeniable that this is such a brilliant and courageous run. However, does AAUA's disqualification from the competition give you an insight as to the extra preparation or skills needed to scale up more points in future competitions?

Idowu Joshua: Yes! I firmly believe we can do better.

 

Though, in the process, we need to add extra work, and that's the place of preparation.

I have a belief that proper preparation prevents poor performance. We'll keep preparing for other competitions and work on where we got it wrong.

Legal Kekenke: As the Attorney General and the president of the mooting club of the Law Students Society, how would you describe the prestigious, enviable standard already laid by the previous occupier of the office, and how do you intend to ensure its continuity?

Idowu Joshua: Trust me, I must pay  due respect to the former occupier of the Office. He has achieved great feat. I hope you're aware that he's currently in Netherland representing our dear country. I wish him great success.

On sustaining his great feat, it's all about commitment, and constant improvement. Similarly, he achieved these feat because of hardwork. These are virtues we're inculcating.

Also, I'm working with him for mentorship, and guidance.

Legal Kekenke: What are your insights as regards the mooting club? Would you describe the club as too secluded, thus depriving those who would have been interested in involving themselves in the club's activities?

Idowu Joshua: Pls, I'll like to correct the notion that the Club is secluded. It's not secluded at all! Anyone can feature in any Competition, even 100 level student. What's needed is dedication, commitment and hardwork.

To emphasize that the club is not secluded, are you aware a 200 level student was the one who represented the school in the FIS IHL Competition? He was selected because he showed the zenith of dedication and commitment.

So, I'd like us to know that the club is not meant for the minority few, but everyone. You, I, and other LSSITES!

Legal Kekenke: Thanks for the clarity.

Let's derail a bit from the subject. What standards do you think the Netherlands competition would set for the law faculty, AAUA among its peers in Nigeria?

Idowu Joshua: I'm sure you know the standard already. The standard is that our school is now one of the schools that will be reckoned with for excellence. Media houses are covering the event, and our school's name will be mentioned on the international scene.

 

Trust me, our school is now on the radar of the world's intellectuals! AAUA to the world!

Legal Kekenke: God bless us all.

Thank you, sir, for sparing your time for the interview.

Idowu Joshua: You're welcome.

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In a short but desirable manner, I'll be drawing the curtains with two quotes that can resonate to our core, grant us resuscitated minds to help us encapsulate the pure meaning of what success truly entails—and drive us further, farther, and closer to our goals while recognizing and adapting to the vicissitudes of life.

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” — Paulo Coelho

We can all reach for the stars!

LK... Making a statement!