Charles Osuji –Nigerian Buys Over Canadian Law Firm Under 3 Years As Intern

Charles Osuji –Nigerian Intern Buys Over Canadian Law Firm Under Three Years

It is another rare feat by a Nigerian from Amucha in Njaba Local Government of Imo State, Charles Osuji who under three years, has bought over a Canadian company where he was an intern.

Charles Osuji just moved to Canada in 2011, but the news is that he has successfully posted a record worthy of emulation.

He shared the motivating story in an interview with the Punch excerpted here for relevance.

His background

I am the seventh child of eight children of my parents. I am from Amucha in the Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. I’m in my mid thirties. After my Bar Call in Nigeria in 2010, my elder brother, Dr Joseph Osuji, sponsored my immigration to Canada in 2011. After I relocated, I re-licensed to practise here in Alberta, Canada, and was called to the Bar here in 2014. I have been a lawyer since 2010 in Nigeria and since 2014 in Alberta, Canada.

Buying over the law firm where he used to work

Two years after my Bar Call in 2014, I bought into partnership with my former principal, Mr Jim Smith. A year later, he indicated he was looking to sell his stake in the practice and retire, so I made an offer he could not reject. Though still young in age and in practice, I had worked seven days a week, year after year and had made a lot of connections and got good at practice.

READ ALSO: Video: Lifeless Body of Popular Nigerian Socialite Who Died Undergoing Plastic Surgery

Sometimes, what you put in is what you get. I had put in a lot of work. Moreover, I was already bringing the most money and number of clients to the firm and effectively running and managing the practice even as an associate. So, it was not really much of a big deal for both of us.

The period it took him to perform the feat?

In all, it took me two and a half years or so. I would say it has been consistent hard work and focus on being better at my craft. I also surround myself with experienced mentors. Most importantly, being confident in my abilities and believing that there are really no limits. Once you begin to believe you can fly, you don’t only fly, you soar.

READ ALSO: House Help From Hell, Feeds Five-Month Old Baby Vaginal Discharge And…

Hmmm…It has been very challenging but rewarding, to be honest. I took over the firm when I had zero firm management or business ownership experience. In fact, I initially turned down the opportunity to make any offers to Mr Smith because I was afraid of failing at it, and the prospect of taking such a risk was daunting and overwhelming.

I was still relatively new to the country and I was not sure how far I could go due to my colour and heritage. However, after speaking to a few mentors, I decided to take the jump; a decision I do not regret.

Other efforts before eventually buying over the firm

It was a humbling one. I graduated top of my class back in the Imo State University, 2004 – 2009 set. So, I didn’t foresee significant difficulties with getting my foot in the door. However, I quickly realised that I had no network here and I did not have the advantage of the connections I had built back home in Nigeria.

Moreover, not a lot of people who look like me, who understood my journey and challenges owned their law firms or were at the table where hiring decisions for lawyers were made. Also, at this point, I was doing a lot of survival jobs. I worked in factories and did all sorts of manual labour to survive.

I worked three jobs at the same time and barely had the leisure of sleeping more than three nights in a week. It was a really terrible experience, but I am grateful for life and the gift of sound health.

I had moments when I felt lost with no sense of direction but I was very hopeful for a better future given that Canada is a country that rewards hard work, discipline, integrity and focus.

Please read the full story in the Punch

Rare Feat –Nigerian Buys Over Canadian Law Firm Under 3 Years As Intern