So far, my internship at Osuntuyi & Tokan-Lawal Law (“OTL Law”) and Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC“) has been truly transformative and inspiring. As a law graduate intern of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, AWKA (UNIZIK) who is interested in human rights, I feel privileged to be working alongside Ms. A Tope Tokan-Lawal. She is a passionate lawyer, child advocate, and role model. In this reflection, I will share my experiences, insights, and lessons learned from my first two weeks and how it has deepened my commitment to pursuing my career in social justice.
My first major experience was a sobering one. In addition to engaging in research and drafting, I accompanied Ms. Tokan-Lawal as she represented child offenders in Court. This was a stark reminder that children can be detained for serious offenses and held accountable by the law. They are tried and sentenced, if found liable/guilty. It was a truly sobering experience, and I could not help but feel a sense of sadness knowing that these children are so young and impressionable. Despite these challenges, I was determined to learn from this experience and understand a valuable lesson in the importance of upholding the law, even in difficult circumstances.
In the same week, I was also opportune to accompany Ms. Tokan-Lawal for the National Arbitration Conference hosted by the ADR Society of the Lagos State University (LASU) in Ojo. This experience was very enriching. The theme was “The Dispute Resolution Revolution: Navigating Arbitration for Success in the 21st Century.” The panel session, of which Ms. Tokan-Lawal was a panelist, centered on “Youth Engagement in Arbitration: Empowering the Next Generation” was insightful and broadened my understanding of arbitration and its impact on the legal system.
Another memorable experience was the visit to the Correctional Centre in Yaba the CRJJC’s team. The visit was part of their “Know Your Rights initiative” aimed at empowering children in correctional centers across Lagos. It was designed to educate them on the sources of their rights, recognizing when these rights are violated, and how to leverage the rights to stand up against any form of abuse. It was incredible to see the impact of this initiative on the children. They were enthusiastic and engaged throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their own experiences. By the end of the program, it was clear that the goals had been achieved – the children had gained a deeper understanding of their rights and were empowered to advocate for themselves and others. I left the correctional center feeling hopeful and motivated to continue creating awareness and advocating for the rights of children.
I am grateful for these opportunities and look forward to a more inspiring legal journey with Ms. A Tope Tokan-Lawal, OTL Law, and CRJJC.