Igba Boyi; Igbo Apprenticeship System; A Panacea For Mentorship Growth And Development In The Legal Professional, is the theme of the 2023 Endowment Scheme of Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja under the leadership of Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso, Esq.
The Keynote speaker is Prof. Sam Amadi.
Until, I hear and read the mind of Prof. Sam Amadi, below is my reflection on the theme.
Igba Boyi is a common apprenticeship model among the trading communities in igbo land. Under this model, a child, often underage, is sent to his relation to under study and at the end of the agreed period, the relation (Oga), settles the boy, with money, goods and necessary connect, that will enable his, start his own trade. He in turn, takes another relation and do unto him, as he was done unto.
This model is as old as Igbo community but became more prominent after the civil war. As igbos were struggling to bounce back after the £5 strangulation policy, poorer relations, willingly gave their Wards to relations relocating to Township in a symbiotic relationship-you feed him and he offers services(including domestics) and you settle him.
Igba Boyi is not slavery and it is different from Imu Ahia(to learn a trade) One who takes the Imu Ahia model, pays his Oga to teach him the secrets of his trade and often are not under age or do they live with the Oga to render domestic services after shop had closed.
With these clarifications, let me dovetail it into the Legal Profession. Igba Boyi can loosely be liken to pupilage. A new-wig, green around the ears, non-paying employment with a seasoned Senior, follows him or her around the courts and learn the secrets of the trade and after some years, when his wings are strong enough to fly, he leaves his Oga’s chambers to set up his own law firm. Unfortunately, when he leaves, he is hardly settled like the Boyi; very few Seniors settle their Juniors with good start off briefs or equipping an office for them. Some has also settled their Head of Chambers (Junior), with necessary support to become SAN.
Furthermore, most Seniors and Juniors, part ways under unprofessional conditions that both parties resolve not to cross part again but go about maligning each others reputation.
As Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja takes this bold step with erudite scholars to digest this model-Igba Boyi,
I hope they will also examine the African Communalism-Socialism underlining of the Igba Boyi scheme, which was given boldness by the Ahiara Declaration during the Biafran war. Interestingly, the motto of Otu Oka-Iwu, “ONYE AHALA (Agbhala)NWANNE YA”-Do not leave your brother behind; is taken from that famous Declaration at Ahiara Mbaise on June 1, 1969.
