Law student Abel shares his experience on a six-day trip with RGU to different world organisations seeing global governance in action. Hear more about his highlights and learnings in this blog.

Bringing the lecture theatre to the “real world”

The Law School at RGU facilitated an academic research and expedition for LLM Law Students to Geneva in Switzerland and The Hague in the Netherlands, and I was privileged to be a part of this Cohort. We visited various international organisations and institutions where we attended seminars, presentations and guided tours to further our legal research and deepen our academic experience.

The expedition was led by the Module Co-ordinator, Dr. Uche Iloka, and assisted by the Law School LLM Course Leader, Dr. Temi Odusanya. The experience was a eureka moment for me as Dr. Uche took the lecture theatre to the theatre of real actions where we were face to face with reality and at the epicentres of Global Governance where treaties are manufactured and ratified. They were the very institutions we had theorised about and debated about in class. It was without doubt, a perfect marriage of theory and practice.

The expedition brought us to the heart of Global Governance. Here are the four stops we made on our journey:

1. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

Through the insightful presentations, I learnt about ITU’s agenda in promoting the
integration of the use of telecommunications/ICTs into the broader economy and society as drivers of development, innovation, well-being, growth and productivity globally. Before now, I was oblivious of the fact that ITU allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies seamlessly interconnect.

ITU was a major eye opener for me, the seminar ended with a sneak peak into global statistics of internet penetration around the world and it left a burden on my shoulders for Africa, my native continent. Statistics shows that, out of the nearly 8 billion people in the world, 5.35 billion of them, or around 66% of the world’s population, have access to the internet, according to Statista.

While Northern Europe has the world’s highest internet penetration rate at 97.4%, East Africa has the lowest one with 23.1%. ITU left me with a strong desire to contribute my quota to the growth and development of Africa and the Global South.

2. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

It was great to understand WIPOs leadership efforts in the development of a balanced and effective global intellectual property ecosystem to promote innovation and creativity for a better and more sustainable future.

I was particularly enthused about WIPO’s Charter for content creators which aims to raise awareness and increase knowledge of creators’ rights and related management practices, ensuring recognition and fair reward for all creators regardless of their geographical, cultural or economic conditions.

My joy is that, considering the fact that the number of creators from Africa is constantly on the rise, and the influx of new content each year far outweighs the preceding years, this Charter, if effectively pursued will guarantee greater exposure and boost confidence in creators of the global south extraction, securing their intellectual property and guaranteeing financial returns for their labour.

3. United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

This was the highlight of the expedition. From the lectures, learning about the history of the League of Nations to the UN, to the guided tour of the humongous UNOG Estate which predates the UN, to walking through the physical corridors of power (not the figurative one), and going from one conference room to another, seeing the main entrance and foyer where heads of governments are received and converge made International Law and Global Governance come alive to me.

It is an experience better experienced than told, as I write, I wish the beautiful colours of the experience and the cosmic beauty would translate on this blog. UNOG was a life-changing moment for me. From this moment, I knew my fraternity with International Law and International Relations was just getting started.

4. The Hague

The Hague was our final port of call for our six-day expedition. This visit brought me to a place of deep reflection as it plays host to all the Dispute Resolution and Justice Institutions of the United Nations.

I enjoyed the virtual tour and learning about the history of these institutions. I was excited to stand at The World Peace Flame Monument, which is surrounded by stones from 197 countries and regions that are steward to Global Peace. The intriguing part of it is the fact that the Flame is burning permanently without going out. What a sight it was to behold. I am definitely coming back to the Peace Palace for an International Law programme!

As a high School Student, I had dreamt of attending a session at the United Nations where I would wear the linguistic headphones to witness, contribute or address the UN. This dreamt came alive when I had the privilege of wearing those headphones to observe an extraordinary session of the The UN Council on Human Rights and Alliance for Civilizations in Room 20.

I had a first-hand experience of the structure of proceedings and the protocols of conducting a multilateral conference across many devices, with language barriers, and observe how seamlessly the proceedings flowed in spite of these differences because of the advancement of technology and the power of the excellent and effective leadership structure of the United Nations.

Another highlight of the expedition at the Hague was the hosting of the cohort by the Nigerian Ambassador to The Netherlands, Mr. Oluremi Oliyibi at the Embassy of Nigeria in The Hague.

As a Nigerian, it was pure delight to feel at home having been away from Nigeria for 8 months, which is my longest sojourn away from home. It was a beautiful time of engagement as we discussed global affairs and we were treated to the Nigerian warmth and hospitality.

A unforgettable trip with many lessons

From the expedition, I learnt huge lessons on humanity being the greatest entity in the world and my commitment to selflessness, charity and contribution to charitable causes was further reinforced.

I have unfettered joy and a deep sense of fulfilment for making RGU my institution of choice for my academic voyage to the UK. Amongst the offers that I received from other universities for my postgraduate studies, I am glad I chose RGU. RGU’s effort at bridging the gap between the knowledge gained in class and industry experience is uncommon and explosive, it calls for my vuvuzela. This endeavour on the part of RGU makes students prepared for the world of work upon graduation.

Our cohort was made up of 17 people from five different nations across three continents. Having to be in a close-knit circumference, sharing accommodations, foods, common spaces and more, the trip afforded us the privilege of cultural exchange, understanding and embracing diversity and learning patience and tolerance on another level.

I learnt a great lesson on humility, selflessness and simplicity through Dr. Uche and Dr. Temi who, although led us on the expedition as our lecturers, connected and related with us. Summarily, RGU has further strengthened my commitment to academic scholarship and I want to count on the help of God to take my Scholarly Pursuit beyond this point on the strength of this exposure and more that I have gained through RGU.

Acknowledgements

My gratitude firstly will go to the Principal and Management of RGU. Thank you for sustaining a culture of excellence. To the Dean of The Law School, Prof. John Clifford, I am amazed at your simplistic demeanour in spite of the wealth of your standing. Your approval and blessing made this trip a reality.

To the Commander in Chief of Legal Ballers, Dr. Temi Odusanya, we couldn’t have asked for a more excellent Course Leader. And finally to the man whose vision powered this lofty expedition, the incomparable Dr. Uche Iloka, thank your for your innovative creativity, you raise the bar higher always.

I must not forget to mention the gentleman and lady whose indefatigability and tenacity brought it all home, The President and Vice President of the Academic and Social Council of The Law School, my distinguished colleagues and fellow Legal Ballers, Seth and Ibijoke, you guys are the best.

Abel Uloko

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