By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
The story of Hon. (Barrister) John Elijah, one of those who were called to the Nigerian Bar on Wednesday July 28, 2021 at Eagle Square, Abuja is one of dogged determination to succeed, a grass to grace story.
Prior to his law degree, LL. B (Hons) and call to the Bar, BL (Law), from Abia State University, Uturu and the Nigerian Law School, Abuja respectively, Elijah had bagged an HND (Mass Communications) from Osisatech Polytechnic, Enugu.
From Enugu, he had proceeded to Abia State for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme where he was deployed to the Methodist High School, Ndoro in Abia State for his primary assignment.
Determination to go higher in life took him back to school for the law degree which he has now successful acquired.
He is also, by dint of hard work, a member of the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Reconciliators, the Publisher and Editor – in- Chief of the Community News Week Newspaper, a local tabloid in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council.
Between 2012 and 2015, Elijah had been appointed Special Adviser on Information, Nsit Atai Local Government Area under the administration of now former Governor Godswill Akpabio.
He had his secondary education at the Comprehensive Secondary School, Okop Ndua Erong in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Uyo High School, Uyo and later All Saints Secondary School, Ibikpe Uruan where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate.
The journey to where he saw himself on Wednesday July 28, 2021 was, however, anything but smooth. It was, indeed, the typical story of rags to riches.
Born into a family of eight children, he is the 3rd son of his parents who were financially not well off and he confessed that he would not have made it to where he is today if God had not seen him through the rough and tough journey.
He said that when he lost his father at the age of 15 years, life treated him very badly but that God stood by him. ”From when I lost my father at the age of 15 years, I took responsibility for my education throughout all the levels till this day.
”Even when my father was alive, he was not able to send us to school because of his low income. He only sent two of my senior siblings to school, but left me to fend for myself including for my academics.
”I am happy that today God has not failed me, and I want to encourage the youths to do the best they can to attain high heights in education or in any pursuit in life, rather than wait for their parents for everything, for when there is no way, God can open a way to those who are futuristic.
”The story of my life began when I came to Uyo as an orphan. I hawked kerosene, oranges and sometimes groundnuts to sponsor myself through secondary school. During these travails, I never despaired or joined bad gangs that could have dissuaded me from being focused on succeeding.
“I am, therefore, very happy today for I have lived my dream in education. For every other thing, God will take absolute control and I advise the youths to remain focused so that their dreams can be fulfilled.”
He also used the opportunity of his call to Bar to thank those who supported him to reach this level of his life educationally.
