A lot has already been said
and written about Paul Usoro as The Man, The Lawyer, The Candidate… Some have
however called for reflections from a time more distant into the past. I am in
a position to offer this; so I will start with a glimpse of Paul from
earlier days and from my own perspective . I will progress from there, giving
my own impressions of Paul Usoro as a boy, a law student and then a legal
practitioner.
and written about Paul Usoro as The Man, The Lawyer, The Candidate… Some have
however called for reflections from a time more distant into the past. I am in
a position to offer this; so I will start with a glimpse of Paul from
earlier days and from my own perspective . I will progress from there, giving
my own impressions of Paul Usoro as a boy, a law student and then a legal
practitioner.
Paul Usoro The Boy
I was privileged to know
Paul when we were quite young. It was a singular honour to meet and know and
interact with his wonderful family: his father, mother and brothers, all
of them pleasant souls blessed with a beautiful spirit – But this is not their
story; it is about Paul in family setting with them.
Paul when we were quite young. It was a singular honour to meet and know and
interact with his wonderful family: his father, mother and brothers, all
of them pleasant souls blessed with a beautiful spirit – But this is not their
story; it is about Paul in family setting with them.
When young boys and girls
are growing into young adults there is always some degree of anxiety about
their healthy development, hence cautionary words are doled out generously on
the need to make the right choices, avoid danger and stay out of trouble.
However, with Paul’s parents I noticed what seemed like total confidence in
him. In their house we came and went as we pleased, no questions asked.
About the only advise I knew them to give him then was on the need to be modest
and not attempt too much. They knew he would aspire to great things; but he
should first prepare well. (He has always done so.) I wondered why there were
not the usual warnings about dangerous hours and people and places and about
bad girls. The answer came one day when we were travelling between Calabar and
Ikot Ekpene. As usual, Paul was driving. It was late in the night when we ran
out of fuel. All efforts to refuel failed; but there was no panic. We
were settling down to sleep by the roadside when a man from a nearby village
offered us a chance to spend the night in his sitting room. We returned late
the next morning to a welcome that was so nice and cordial that I could not
stay cool anymore. I confronted Paul’s elder brother and asked him why there
was no search party mobilised for us and why there was not even the slightest
sign of worry or question asked about our welfare. He laughed and said to me:
“My Dear brother, we knew you’d be fine; Paul takes care of himself.
Always”.
are growing into young adults there is always some degree of anxiety about
their healthy development, hence cautionary words are doled out generously on
the need to make the right choices, avoid danger and stay out of trouble.
However, with Paul’s parents I noticed what seemed like total confidence in
him. In their house we came and went as we pleased, no questions asked.
About the only advise I knew them to give him then was on the need to be modest
and not attempt too much. They knew he would aspire to great things; but he
should first prepare well. (He has always done so.) I wondered why there were
not the usual warnings about dangerous hours and people and places and about
bad girls. The answer came one day when we were travelling between Calabar and
Ikot Ekpene. As usual, Paul was driving. It was late in the night when we ran
out of fuel. All efforts to refuel failed; but there was no panic. We
were settling down to sleep by the roadside when a man from a nearby village
offered us a chance to spend the night in his sitting room. We returned late
the next morning to a welcome that was so nice and cordial that I could not
stay cool anymore. I confronted Paul’s elder brother and asked him why there
was no search party mobilised for us and why there was not even the slightest
sign of worry or question asked about our welfare. He laughed and said to me:
“My Dear brother, we knew you’d be fine; Paul takes care of himself.
Always”.
Paul Usoro The Law Student
It is no longer news that
Paul was the President of our Law Students Society in University of Ife,
the first to be elected from a minority tribe. He ran a transparent and
vibrant administration. Towards the end, his administration was subjected to a
most incisive scrutiny; at the end of it, everyone (including the harshest
doubters) were up on their feet applauding.
Paul was the President of our Law Students Society in University of Ife,
the first to be elected from a minority tribe. He ran a transparent and
vibrant administration. Towards the end, his administration was subjected to a
most incisive scrutiny; at the end of it, everyone (including the harshest
doubters) were up on their feet applauding.
At the Nigerian Law School,
Lagos Paul had a word of encouragement for all and humour to enliven any
situation. He also knew how to answer disparagement with chilling
silence.
Lagos Paul had a word of encouragement for all and humour to enliven any
situation. He also knew how to answer disparagement with chilling
silence.
Paul’s response to fear was
revealed one night when we were out on the night and got stranded far away from
our base in Victoria Island. Buses were not available at that hour and we did
not have enough money to charter a taxi. Paul said we should trek home. I was
worried, the distance was up to seven kilometres, I did not know the
route well and we could be mugged… Paul assured us he could trace the route
home, it could be fun; and then he added:
revealed one night when we were out on the night and got stranded far away from
our base in Victoria Island. Buses were not available at that hour and we did
not have enough money to charter a taxi. Paul said we should trek home. I was
worried, the distance was up to seven kilometres, I did not know the
route well and we could be mugged… Paul assured us he could trace the route
home, it could be fun; and then he added:
“Look, guys, fear not;
we are three young men challenging a dark and dreadful night. If we stay solid
good people will take courage, the fear will be in the bad guys, not us.”
we are three young men challenging a dark and dreadful night. If we stay solid
good people will take courage, the fear will be in the bad guys, not us.”
And so it happened. We got
home safely. I slept the best sleep ever that night and discovered the benefits
of walking.
home safely. I slept the best sleep ever that night and discovered the benefits
of walking.
Paul Usoro The Legal
Practitioner
Practitioner
It seems that almost
everything has been said about this aspect of our candidate’s life. Those who
have read recent write-ups on Paul are aware that he has become more than an
institution in our noble profession. His celebrated cases, deft moves in
industry and work in ground-breaking legislations and support for NBA
activities are already in the public domain. He has impacted well on the
profession in Nigeria and beyond our shores. This is well known. So I will
dwell only on one aspect – that of Paul Usoro SAN as a team player. His work
has not often been done alone, but in a team. When teams were formed and he was
brought in he worked as a loyal member of the team and played strategic roles.
Most times, however, he assembled and led teams; he led with courage and vision
and a deep understanding of humanity. I worked in some of his teams. I can also
say that always the results were outstanding. When Paul worked with his
team pro bono the sense of accomplishment was reward enough. When professional
fees accrued Paul has always been fair and generous to his team members. I have
never known anyone to evince the slightest hint of discontent.
everything has been said about this aspect of our candidate’s life. Those who
have read recent write-ups on Paul are aware that he has become more than an
institution in our noble profession. His celebrated cases, deft moves in
industry and work in ground-breaking legislations and support for NBA
activities are already in the public domain. He has impacted well on the
profession in Nigeria and beyond our shores. This is well known. So I will
dwell only on one aspect – that of Paul Usoro SAN as a team player. His work
has not often been done alone, but in a team. When teams were formed and he was
brought in he worked as a loyal member of the team and played strategic roles.
Most times, however, he assembled and led teams; he led with courage and vision
and a deep understanding of humanity. I worked in some of his teams. I can also
say that always the results were outstanding. When Paul worked with his
team pro bono the sense of accomplishment was reward enough. When professional
fees accrued Paul has always been fair and generous to his team members. I have
never known anyone to evince the slightest hint of discontent.
Today our jurisprudence is
developing rapidly in the usual as well as in new areas such as
Information Technology and Telecommunications, Sports and Entertainment,
Science, Human Relationships, etc. Paul has noted that many lawyers
have not grown to keep pace and key into these developments. He has promised to
address this need as Paul Usoro SAN the President of the Nigerian Bar Association
Putting-You-First. I believe him. I KNOW, dear learned colleagues, that Paul
will put you first. And he is ready for the tasks ahead…
developing rapidly in the usual as well as in new areas such as
Information Technology and Telecommunications, Sports and Entertainment,
Science, Human Relationships, etc. Paul has noted that many lawyers
have not grown to keep pace and key into these developments. He has promised to
address this need as Paul Usoro SAN the President of the Nigerian Bar Association
Putting-You-First. I believe him. I KNOW, dear learned colleagues, that Paul
will put you first. And he is ready for the tasks ahead…
– by Nelson Uzuegbu