O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s Law School Scholarship Sparks Jubilation Among Grateful Beneficiaries

Recipients of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s 14th Law School Scholarships for students of Rivers State origin couldn’t contain their joy on Tuesday, July 25, as they received their grant at an award ceremony held at the Nigerian Bar Association House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

National Network spoke to the joyous beneficiaries from 20 local government areas of the state, who each received a brand-new laptop and N120,000 cash to ease their studies at the Nigerian Law School.

Beaming with smiles, the recipients expressed profound appreciation for the Foundation’s generosity, stating that the gesture has alleviated the burden of tuition fees and other expenses, allowing them to focus solely on their studies and aspirations.

The beneficiaries unanimously described the gesture as a life-transforming gift. They thanked the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation for their selection and pledged to uphold its altruistic spirit by using their education to advocate for justice and equality.

Loretta Godday Amadi, who gained admission into the Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt, and hails from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, could barely contain her excitement as she spoke to our correspondent.

“For me, it’s beyond gratitude to the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation’s support. This scholarship is a game-changer for me and many others. With this financial burden lifted, I can now fully dedicate myself to becoming an effective and compassionate lawyer, committed to upholding justice and serving humanity,” she said. Amadi, who shed tears of joy, further vowed to make a difference in the lives of others whenever she gets the opportunity.

Suanu Goodluck Wikorga from Khana Local Government Area said: “When we were making the application online, we did a little write-up on why we need this scholarship. I wish I could show the media what I wrote.

“A laptop is an essential machine for law students, barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court who have been called to Bar. When going to court, you need some of these processes you file by originating summons, writ. For anything you want to do, you need a laptop. I am particularly interested in the laptop. I thank the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation. God will bless you”.

Beauty Agboma Adiela from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area said: “I am incredibly grateful for this generous scholarship provided by O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation. Without their financial support, pursuing my dream of becoming a lawyer would have been nearly impossible.”

“The burden of student loans would have loomed over my head, hindering my ability to focus on my studies and personal growth. Thanks to this scholarship, I can now concentrate on my education with determination and passion.”

It was the same outpouring of gratitude for Barivare Tsana Poromon from  Gokana Local Government Area, who said. “When I received the news that I was a recipient of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation Scholarship for Law School Students, I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. This scholarship has not only lightened my financial load but also given me the confidence to pursue my passion for advocacy.”

Another elated recipient from Asari Toru Local Government Area, Faith Ammonia George, described the scholarship award as a dream come true.

Her words, “It has not only enabled me to pursue my passion for law but has also inspired me to be a better individual and future advocate for justice. Your belief in my potential has ignited a sense of purpose within me, and I am determined to make a positive impact in the legal profession and beyond.”

“Apart from the financial assistance, the support and mentorship offered by the Foundation have been invaluable. I will be privileged to interact with esteemed legal professionals who will impart their wisdom and guidance, nurturing my growth and shaping my career paths.”

Nhoma Cilia Wopara, also a student at the Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt, who hails from Obio Akpor Local Government Area, showed her joy: “So much finance is involved in the journey to the law school. With the help of this laptop, projects and printing every day will be much easier for me.”

“Thanks be to God, this O. B. Lulu-Briggs financial support has given me the resources and encouragement needed to thrive in a competitive academic environment. I am determined to use my legal education to champion the rights of underprivileged individuals and make a difference in their lives.”

In her welcome address, the Chairman of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs, expressed her heartfelt delight at witnessing the impact of the scholarship program.

She congratulated the beneficiaries, adding that the Foundation believed in their potential to make a real difference in Rivers State or wherever they went.

Dr Lulu-Briggs disclosed that Rivers State is renowned for producing some of the nation’s finest legal professionals and urged the law students to follow in their footsteps by making them their role models.

“We have faith that you will use the resources provided to you wisely to further your legal education, enhance your skills, and ultimately contribute to improving your immediate communities,” she said.

She advised the recipients to “Always keep sight of the values that led you to pursue a career in law – integrity, probity and compassion”, adding that as future legal professionals, they have a unique opportunity to uphold the universal and timeless principles of justice and fairness.”

Dr Lulu-Briggs said, “After completing law school, I implore you also to use your legal knowledge and skills to champion the cause of justice to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the marginalized.”

She assured that the Foundation would continue to do its best to serve humanity to the glory of God while empowering future legal professionals with the resources and support they need to shape a more just and equitable world.

Dr Seinye Lulu-Briggs revealed that 868 individuals from the 23 local government areas of the state have benefited from the program since its inception in 2009.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Director General and Head of Campus, Nigerian Law School, Nabo Graham Douglas Campus, Port Harcourt, Mr. Chinonso Mmuozoba Esq, appealed to the beneficiaries not to mismanage the scholarship, which he described as a ‘show of love.’

“I come from Anambra State, and I can tell you that I have never benefited from any form of scholarship, never in my life. What you are benefitting here today is, first and foremost, the grace of God. Secondly, because of the philanthropic spirit of the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation,” he said. “Foundation would do more if what has been offered is well utilized.”

The audience was captivated by a lecture by retired Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri. Entitled “Keeping Abreast of Emerging Legal Trends”, the retired Jurist said the legal profession has evolved into the technological age and stressed the need for practitioners to keep up with the trend.

“A lot of things are now done electronically, and this has brought efficiency, accuracy and safety as documents are filed electronically”, she pointed out.

Abiri noted that documents are now safer because they are in the cloud, a sharp contrast with the analogue system where documents could get destroyed.

“And, so, it is positively impacting on the bench and the bar, thereby speeding up justice dispensation”, she posited.

The retired judge said the lecture’s theme was apt because of the trend. She said: “We should be talking about it until everyone gets to know about it so that we go away from the analogue to the present age we are”.

Eminent legal personalities delivered goodwill messages. They include the Chief Judge of Rivers, Hon Justice Chibuzo Amadi, former NBA President, Chief OCJ Okocha, traditional rulers and captains of industry.

They all commended the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation for sustaining the program while urging the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by utilizing the money and laptops well.

The O. B Lulu-Briggs Foundation, renowned for its sustainable interventions for the underserved and underprivileged, has been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless individuals through its initiatives.

The Law School Students Scholarships, designed to provide financial assistance to deserving law students, has garnered widespread praise for fostering academic excellence and promoting access to legal education. It is one of the Foundation’s charitable endeavours encompassing education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and more.