GAMAID
- August 1, 2025
Called to the Bar: Elizabeth Philip’s Path to Success
I am Elizabeth Philip from Esit Eket, and during my final year of law school I found myself in the grip of severe financial hardship. With tuition deadlines looming and my family already stretched thin, I feared that I might not be able to complete my studies—or worse, miss my dream of being called to the Nigerian Bar. Each morning I woke with the weight of unpaid fees on my mind, wondering how I would bridge the gap between where I stood and the courtroom I longed to enter.
In the midst of that uncertainty, I heard about GAMAID Foundation through my church family. They offered me a lifeline in the form of zero-interest loans at precisely the moments I needed them most. In 2021, they provided twenty-three to twenty-five thousand naira that covered my first semester fees in my final year. Then, in December 2022, as I prepared for my Call to Bar clearance, they stepped in again with seventy thousand naira—funds I never had to repay. Their timely generosity removed every obstacle between me and my graduation, and it arrived like an answer to a prayer I had not dared to voice aloud.
Thanks to that support, I was able to graduate on schedule and take my place among the newly-called lawyers of Africa’s largest bar. The financial burden that once felt crushing became a thing of the past, replaced by a profound sense of relief and accomplishment. My family rejoiced alongside me, for they had witnessed the sleepless nights and anxious afternoons that went into each lecture and every preparatory exam. Because of GAMAID’s trust and compassion, I finished my academic program with confidence rather than concern—and I walked into my first courtroom with my head held high.
To the entire GAMAID team—your sponsors, volunteers, and leaders—I offer my wholehearted gratitude. Your belief in my potential and your commitment to my success changed the course of my life. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness, and may your ministry continue to uplift countless other students who, like me, stand at the threshold of their dreams. Thank you for making my journey to the bar possible.