“‘Motorcycle boys’ are victims of a broken system.” Chief Johnson Anyiam.”
8 min read
Chief Johnson Ugo Anyiam is an Akalite who needs no introduction both in Nigeria and South Africa where he lives. Many things made him popular among many youths over 20 years ago when he had solid control of the events around him both in Lagos and Imo states. For a period of few years, Chief Anyiam “disappeared” from the social circles and buried himself with the academic rudiments of the law profession in South Africa. After a period of six years or thereabout, the man who had a solid grip on the social circles, academically transformed into a man who is currently in total control of Anyiam Attorneys Incorporated, Johannesburg.
Good afternoon Anyiam. May we have a little introduction about yourself.
My name is Chief Ugo Johnson Anyiam (Attorney at Law), I am from Umuezikeoha Uba Umuaka, born to late Chief Michael Ukadike and Lolo Theresa Anyiam.
Please where do you live?
I live in Johannesburg South Africa, and also in Lagos Nigeria.
Many people don’t know you are a lawyer. Can you tell us the story of your inspiration to law?
It is understandable that a number of our people is not aware of my profession as a lawyer because I came into law practice later in life and after I had already been known as a businessman for decades.
So how did it happen?
Going back to school to study and practice law was informed by a variety of factors, firstly, I wanted a different legacy from the one that brought me to lime-light(if I may use that phrase) but I must pause to say that being a lawyer is a profession I would refer to as dream-come-through. The seed was planted by our own model lawyer in the person of late Barrister Ezeala, Egbendu (may his soul rest in peace).
Law, is one unique profession that I couldn’t shake off right from my days at Umuaka High School when Barrister Ezeala would address us as students once or twice a term at the assembly ground. Subsequently, that seed was nurtured(unknowingly so) by the likes of Chief Obinna Duruji, Chief Marcel Duru, Chief Chri-wowo Nwachukwu, Chief Bernard Nwaiwu.
Were you having a shaky business, which made you to divert to law?
I was doing ok in business but I wanted more, I wanted to be like these great men, they were silently my role models because of the way they conducted themselves even in success.
What are the challenges for Nigerians practicing law in South Africa?
Practicing law in South Africa as a Nigerian came with little or no challenge having studied in a South African University and having accepted Johannesburg as my second home for some time now. The field of law in Johannesburg is one that is far from being saturated, however, the one challenge I would have had was with finding a suitable law firm to serve my Articles of Clerkship but, I had a brother, the late Attorney Henry Oguike(may his soul rest in peace), who was already a lawyer before I graduated with LLB at University of Witwatersrand and of course before I attended Law School with LEAD Johannesburg.
How did Henry Oguike assist you?
Henry was like a mentor as he quickly offered me a place in his office (CH Oguike Attorneys) to do my articles of clerkship in Johannesburg. After my 2 years at CH Oguike Attorneys sharpening my skills as an attorney, I was able to write my board exams and set up my own law firm.
What is the name of your law firm?
Anyiam Attorneys Incorporated, Johannesburg, the rest as they say is history. I am thankful.
Lets talk about our people in South Africa. It is worrisome that many Akalites in South Africa are confused and almost doing nothing, please what is the Umuaka union’s plans for these guys?
I am not sure your assessment is right that many Akahlites are confused and almost doing nothing in South Africa, there is a lot of challenges with migrating to a different country and our people have no immunity from such challenges. It is essentially more challenging with South Africa as the country itself battles with high unemployment rates even for its own(black) people.
Nevertheless, the Igbo in general and Akahlites in particular are resilient and have learnt to integrate into the economic system, our people are beginning to set up commercial operations, clothing shops, African shops, restaurants imports/export businesses, which used to be the select preserve for the Whites and Asians alike.
What about school enrollments, have some of them taken such options after seeing people like you as their inspiration?
When it comes to going back to school as a mature student, Nigerians lead the pack across the world and I can assure you that Akahlites are not to be left out. You can recall I said earlier that I would love to leave a different legacy. I’m not alone in it as there’s been paradigm shift so I urge you to be on the look-out.
Your answer is neither here nor there. Very political (general laughter).
Ok be that as it may, reading law etc in South Africa, how would you describe it?
Going back to school after the age of forty wasn’t easy, but having done it, what I feel could only be compared to the feeling you have after winning a lotto.
Oh really? Do you mean in monetary terms?
Not in monetary sense but just the shocking fulfillment, if you know what I mean… I am not even sure there’s a word for it (laughter).
For some time now in Umuaka, you a kind of went under. Why?
I’m not sure why people say that very often, but if I am to give an answer to that, it would come in may-be three-folds or more.
Please try. We are with you.
First of all, I have always been a private person, what people saw of me in the early 90s and early 2000s was just a child/growing young man who’s not averse to the allures and adventures associated with newly found social standing.
Futhermore, I became a single parent about 20 years ago when I separated from my ex-wife and the duty to raise my 3 sons fell on my lap, with that in mind there was no room for much left. Do you want another reason?
Please tell us….
I had to go back to school while raising my kids, 4 years for LLB, 2 years at Law School and Articles of Clerkship, preparing for and writing board exams, and after that, setting up and running a law firm.
All of the above were/are full-time operations, in which face there was indeed, really no time left.
So how were you able to grant this interview considering all you said. Remember Umuaka Times has chased you for over a year.
I am able to grant this interview because my kids are now either graduated from universities or finishing up, to God be the Glory.
Having said that, my commitment to my beloved Umuaka and heritage remains unshaken and even more resolute than ever.
Talking about Umuaka, please what is your take on the activities of “motorcycle boys”?
I am not sure why they are termed ‘motorcycle boys’ but my take is that they are victims of a broken system.
Really? Can you explain further?
The government of Nigeria at all levels has failed and continues to fail us all. Let me pause to say that bad behavior should not be encouraged, supported or rewarded at any level, whether the bad behavior comes from the motorcycle boys (so called), from our leaders or from any member of the community.
Some people see ‘motorcycle boys’ as offenders or like you said, victims, while others see them as both. Your take?
Of course, they are victims of a broken system, just like we all are, but like I said earlier, bad behaviour should not be supported, encouraged or rewarded. People become offenders when they actually offend whether as ‘motorcycle boys” or otherwise.
Do you have any stand on the opinion of ‘motorcycle boys’ that education is a scam?
Referring to education as a scam couldn’t have come from a position of knowledge(obviously). We have a duty as parents and grown-ups to provide leadership and guidance, young people are adventurous, just like kids they like to test the boundaries and when none exists (or seem to exist) then you have socio-economic and even cultural crisis like we do.
Do you intend to float a foundation or an NGO that will address some of these issues you raised?
It is only ideal to be alive to our social responsibilities, I share in the philosophy that when life blesses anyone (especially financially)a duty arises not only to raise one’s standard of living but also a duty to raise the standard of giving to those who need it the most.
Finally what is your message to Umuaka youths and motorcycle boys as well?
Make sure you have a role model. Choose your role model from the best amongst us. Aspire to be like your role model, it worked for me.
Your competition is with the rest of the world not just with Umuaka, therefore swing from the hills.
Tell us the organizations you belong to.
I am a member of the Legal Practice Council Johannesburg, Nigerian Professionals Association South Africa, Igbo Lawyers Association South Africa, Great Golden Friends Club, Unique 85 Club, Diamond Club, Ikoyi Club Lagos etc.
Do you intend to attend the Nigerian Law School to enable you practice law in Nigeria?
Yes, I intend to attend Nigerian Law School some-day. I still believe there is something I can offer to the Nigerian legal system.
How do you want to retire?
It is my intention to retire as a lecturer in Law in one of the Nigerian universities, some things being equal.
What is your take on Umuaka Times?
It is quite refreshing to find out that from our own community comes a person or group of persons who believes in us enough to want to create a career/jobs from the contents arising from our people, to tell our story, to keep us in the global map, and to give us that sense of pride.
We will do all it takes to support the work of Umuaka Times, our people are encouraged to take advantage of the great work being done by Umuaka Times to showcase their products and their way of life wherever they may be.
Chief Anyiam, it was amazing talking with you. Thanks for your time sir.
Thanks for having me also.
