A legal practitioner, Lady Chikwue Ochiagha, has been the Registrar of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) since 2006. She has also been the chairman, Synod Planning Committee of the diocese since 2007. In this interview, she shared her life story with SEGUN KASALI.
HOW was growing up in Zaria and Anambra?
They are two different environments with peculiar features. Growing up in Anambra was home for me because my parents had to leave Zaria during the civil war and I was just a baby. Anambra was where I had my primary and secondary education after which, I gained admission to do higher studies in Zaria before getting a direct entry admission into Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria to read Law. Besides, the experience of the civil war was not a happy story from my parents.
What do you mean?
My father narrowly escaped being killed, according to the story he told us while growing up. He was an Igbo union leader in Zaria at a time. So, he stayed back to make sure others were safely taken away from Zaria at that point in time. So, even when my mother was crying “please come with us. I have these little ones I am carrying,” my father said no with the assurance that he would travel to Anambra later. So, my mother left with us, but he stayed back to make sure others were safely moved out of Zaria. So, on that fateful day, according to him, they came for him because he was somehow prominent. But, my father had a strong personality and I think I took after him. So, he was in the backyard in my mother’s garden when the aggressors were jumping into the compound. The first person who jumped in and went into the house did not see him. It was the third person who later saw him when he looked to the left and raised the alarm. I would not want to tell stories of what happened there, but many people were killed right on that spot. But my father narrowly navigated his way, placed his hand on the fence, jumped over and then ran. And luckily, it was a Yoruba man that rescued him.
Really?
Yes. He took him in and put him inside a box (used for storing clothes) where he passed the night. The assailants followed him to that man’s house. They searched the house but they could not find him and they left.
So, that was how he escaped being killed?
Yes. In fact, very early the following morning, his Yoruba friend took him to the train station from where he travelled to Enugu.
How was your experience schooling in Anambra?
It was a nice experience. I had fun. There were no issues at all. It was a normal flow of studies. And I finished my secondary school with flying colours. I made Grade One in my WAEC. So, I left there for A’ levels in an institution in Zaria, where I spent two years. And thereafter, I went to read Law in ABU.
Why Law?
In my father’s house in the village, we had a neighbour who was practising as a lawyer. One fateful day, my father was sitting at the front of the house and just causually asked me what I would like to be And I told him I would want to be a lawyer (while pointing at the man’s house). So, my father said fine. I guess that sort of propelled my moves and eventually when I was going to fill my form, I filled Law. And it was an exciting journey entering the university. My first year at the university was very historic.
How so?
This was because I turned out to be the best student in the Faculty of Law and that earned me Federal Government Merit Awards/Scholarship for my remaining senior years in the university. There was something peculiar about reading Law in ABU but I don’t know if they still do it now. If you are to read Law in ABU, compulsorily you must do Islamic Law.
You excelled in that too?
Yes. Even in Islamic Law, I remember a lecturer from Pakistan would always tease the Muslims in the class, saying ‘look at a Christian who is doing better than you Muslims in Islamic Law’. But, for me, it was academics; I just read and sit for the exams.
Can you name some of your classmates?
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, SAN and former Minister of Women Affairs, late Aisha Jummah Alhassan and many others were my classmates. Even when she became minister, the relationship still continued and she nominated me as a Nigerian woman for the Commission of the Status for Women.
What did life present to you after university?
After university, providence was always on my side. After my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) , I went to a private law firm and that was good for me because it quickly introduced me to practical legal practice. I picked up from there years later when I started my own law firm. Not now where you hear about mega law firms, starting your own law firm was a trend during our own time. So, I followed suit, registered my law firm and started.
Can you describe your personality?
I am one person that is always focused and I put diligence in anything I do. And I am a result-oriented person. I won’t work and not get results. If you are not productive, our chemistry might not work. This is the reason some would say I took after my dad. He was so strong-willed.
Is there any experience you might attach to this?
One that comes to mind whenever they want to say I take after him is courage and boldness. My father was an exceptionally courageous person. He was bold to a fault. He can confront a lion. Because he was not an educated person, I have added an enlightenment into my own boldness to bring that trait down a little, seeing that it could be offensive to some people.
Would you say your mother was quite the opposite then?
You are right. My mum was the quiet type. She played the role of a housewife despite the fact that she was into petty-trading.
That means you sought a partner like your mum then?
Honestly, in my relationship life, I did not look out for any trait in anybody. Where I ended up was a matter of providence. I met him through a man from my father’s town, who currently is the Igwe of the town. They were going to have a party and he invited my friends and I. So, he came with this man who is now my husband. That was how we met.
What influenced your decision to start a relationship with him?
He is a quiet person. He is highly intelligent. We met and we began the relationship. He was very very understanding in the sense that while I was in the university, I was a member of the Students’ Union and that was when my church life began. He was very willing to have an understanding of them. Naturally, that endeared my interest to say ‘yes, this guy is good for me’. And we continued to build that relationship with understanding and respect till we were ready to solidify the relationship.
Who among your children is taking after you?
The girl among them is the flying one. Oh my goodness! She is the one.
Any regrets generally?
If I may talk about regret, I would say it is a regret of meeting people who are not honest. People who don’t see virtue in honesty. I have met them along the journey of life. What I try to do is to navigate my way out.
What would you love to be remembered for?
I would love to be remembered for my person without faking. When a lot of people, who came to my birthday, spoke about my forthrightness, I was elated. I slept well that day. It is something I would forever cherish.
What is your preferred style?
I like to dress responsibly. Responsibly, as in, dress like someone will see you and respect you. I don’t trend. Well, I could trend colours but I would do it in a way that when you see me, you would know that this person is a responsible woman.
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