You are currently viewing I Focus More on Resolving Issues Than Worrying About Them – Moses Olubisose, retired UK Solicitor and Founder, M.Olubi Foundation
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He is quite unassuming but keenly focused, humble, hardworking, kind-hearted, and approachable. Until his retirement recently, Pastor Moses Olubisose was the Founder/Principal of M. Olubi Solicitors, Solicitor of the Supreme Court [England and Wales]. He was previously Principal Solicitor/Partner at Nathaniel & Co; and Managing Director at Centrepoint Welfare Limited.

His father, Pa. Ezekiel Olubisose (deceased), was a farmer and an entrepreneur.  He was renowned for the provision of water (known as ‘Omi BamiLobi’), to many in Ile-Oluji before the introduction of pipe-borne water. His mother, Madam Esther Olubisose (deceased), was a trader and a businesswoman; very kind-hearted and loving mother ever ready to help the needy. In this interview with Demola Akinbola, he tells the story of his challenging early years and the success that has become of his efforts. He also talks about his post-retirement plans.

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Congratulations on your voluntary retirement. Looking back, how would you describe your work experience in Nigeria and the UK?

I have worked extremely hard in both countries starting as an office junior in Nigeria, rising to the utmost managerial position before embarking on my journey to the UK for further studies; only to find myself in London studying and working as a cleaner in a very harsh cold environment in order to support myself.  As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day but the time it took to build ‘Rome’ was painstakingly slow, difficult and rough.
Earning a living in the UK I would say is much tougher than in Nigeria, as the system in the UK is designed for one to work hard for every dime.  Whichever country one is situated, it helps to have the spirit of excellence as ‘Daniel’ in a foreign land.
With the blessings of GOD, it is vain to rise early and sleep late, because it is the blessings of GOD that make one rich without adding sorrow to it.

The early years of my life were full of toughness and challenges which I later realised were God’s design to accomplish His plans in my life. I attended St Luke’s Primary School until 1970 when I proceeded to Kano for my secondary school education at a private institution (Efficiency Commercial) completed in 1975; against all odds.  By divine intervention, I got a job as an office junior with Panalpina after my secondary education. I was very dedicated and in less than two years, I was promoted twice. While on this job, I was miraculously head-hunted in 1978 to join a haulage company, AJK Motors to work for the company Director and the General Manager (both Scottish from the UK), and was placed on managerial salary and entitlements with enviable office, although I was not yet a manager. 

The position I occupied was a real eye-opener into the wider world, but I did not allow the position or the flow of income to distract me. I embarked on distance learning by correspondence from the UK, and also took advantage of every opportunity to acquire more knowledge wherever I was. I began to save every extra income that came my way and started writing many UK examinations as an external candidate with RSA, Pitmans, etc.  I then began to plan ‘big’ to study abroad in order to enhance my future prospects.  In doing this, I had to deprive myself of many life’s basics to ensure I saved as much as I could. By 1979, God made a way for me to enter the UK. I arrived to the harsh cold weather. I was involved in serious studies and doing odd menial jobs to support myself.  It was a far cry from the comfortable office I had in Nigeria. 

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While in the UK, I studied at two private institutions – CBS as well as CMMS, obtaining various certificates and diplomas (with merits and distinctions), finishing with the Royal Chartered Institute of Marketing (final) after passing all components in one sitting, which was a very rare occurrence.  Although I studied Law and performed excellently, I didn’t want to become a lawyer; In fact, the reason I studied Marketing Management was that I wanted nothing to do with Law.

In 1983, I returned to Nigeria for the NYSC. I got an exceptional service letter for commitment and dedication, aside from the standard discharge certificate.  My primary place of NYSC assignment was Nigeria Airways into which I researched extensively and wrote an unpublished booked titled – Marketing Activities of Nigeria Airways. Upon the completion of the NYSC, I weighed my options and decided to return to London in 1984. After trying my hands on a few stuffs including the usual menial jobs, mini-cabbing, and merchandising, I ended up working for a number of law firms doing various indoor and outdoor works.

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I soon realised that everything I touched in law was turning to ‘gold’ and that the Lord had ordered my steps back to what He wanted me to do.  Armed with the experience gained and with my interest in law rekindled, by 1990 I started doing all kinds of legal works permissible by the law at the time, although I was not yet a qualified lawyer. Time was tough, as I was the ‘all and all’ for the business – Centrepoint Welfare, which I formed; the secretary, the messenger, the manager, the bookkeeper, etc.  Getting clients was not particularly an easy task at the time as I was operating from home in what I would now describe as a dilapidated flat in a rundown estate part of London. 

Being self-employed was a big challenge, with very low income, and my family had to trust God for everything including daily feeding. God proved Himself at each ‘dead-end’; He provided.  I would stay up most nights to read and research law manually (not as in today’s age of computers and the internet).  During the day, I would dutifully report at my ‘home office’ (a converted room within my flat), all suited up for any potential client and was disciplined enough to only take 30 minutes break per day during lunchtime.  By God’s grace, I began to make progress and achieve excellent results for clients who dared to consult with me. Within a few years, the hardship began to give way to reasonable income enough to feed, clothe and pay the bills with a little extra.  If I wanted a solid career in Law, I knew I had to study Law in-depth, which wasn’t and still not cheap. 

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With my already acquired qualifications, all I needed was to do a post-graduate conversion study in law. With a step of faith, I embarked on the ‘tough journey’ and enrolled at London Guildhall University in 1993 while I continued to run my business from home. Things were very tough as a result and I wished a day was made of 48 hours rather than 24.  My days and nights were always crammed with many ‘to-dos’.  Days when I was off the University, I had to spend seeing clients and ensuring that their work was done on time and my nights were either spent working or studying with very little time to sleep.  There were also the works of the ministry.

Upon completion of the post-graduate conversion course, I enrolled for the Law School at the same University, successfully completing in 1997.  After my law studies, I had to do a compulsory training contract. Getting a training contract was like the ‘camel going through the eye of the needle’, but miraculously I had a place reserved for me without having to write a single application.  God is really good, He again proved Himself. In 1999, I joined a Law firm – Nathaniel & Co., as a lawyer. I loved my job; I was totally committed and within two years I was promoted thrice to the position of supervisor, then operations manager before becoming a partner of the firm.

In 2003, M. Olubi Solicitors was birthed. Within a short time of commencement, we made so much progress that we were featured in several UK newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV; employing in excess of 20 employees at some point. The journey has been very long and sometimes very tough, but the Lord has been very faithful. Meeting various regulatory bodies and governmental guidelines, rules, codes, adapting to changes in Law as well as meeting financial obligations are among the many challenges, sometimes causing the seeds to fall on the roadside, stony grounds and amongst thorns.  There is also the issue of working long and unsociable hours.  As self-employed, when duty calls, it is a must to answer even in the dead of the night, self-employment is simply not for the faint-hearted; but it can be very rewarding with hard work, dedication, and above all, the blessing of God that makes rich, as when the seeds fall on good grounds.

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What are the major lessons life has taught you?

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Life, as you know is a journey.  A farmer is likely to be successful if he rises up early to his day’s task.  If not, by late afternoon, he would realise that many of his life’s tasks have been left undone.  This same principle is applicable to all aspects of human existence.  Often, we do not realise that time flies and by the time we come to the realisation, for many, it may be too late to make amends at the ‘eleventh hour.  Man’s time on earth is like a passing shadow.

What were the challenges that confronted you in your working career?

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Being self-employed, especially practising law, I believe is one of the most challenging encounters I had.  It is all long, hard-working hours and constantly making sure that deadlines were met.  While an employee can be certain of getting paid at the end of each month, the self-employed employer at the apex bears all kinds of burdens. I remember the early years of establishing M. Olubi Solicitors. In one year, I had to go without any income from the business for 11 months and for another year, for 8 months.  It was really tough and rough, but I could not cry to anyone.  Rather tougher was the fact that failure was not even available as an option.


Immigration law is an area where there are a few Nigerians. What motivated you to venture into this area of Law and how was the experience?

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I have always loved Immigration law but it was an area I got involved in heavily at the latter part of my career. At the initial stage, Criminal Law/Litigation accounted for approximately 70% of my caseload. As we humorously joke in the profession that ‘crime doesn’t pay, it got to a point where the practice of criminal law does not in fact pay, because of government rules and regulations as well as cutbacks.  As Criminal law became less and less attractive, it was important to evolve and move into other areas; hence Immigration law became prominent within my firm.  The experiences I had in my early years in life and my background in Marketing Management taught me to expect the unexpected so as not to get caught unawares by the unexpected.  In the Bible, we find the story of wise and foolish virgins.


Who is Moses Olubisose? What words best describe your personality and character?

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Five decades after I left Ile-Oluji, I am proud that I did not forget my root, as there is no place like ‘home’.  As far back as I can remember, even as a child, I have always been focused and despite life’s challenges, I continue to stand by the grace of God, who gave me the ability and tenacity to adapt to any situation I found myself.  The parable of the sower was about a generous sower who indiscriminately sowed his seeds.  As much as the seeds need good grounds, the seeds themselves should make efforts to flourish, regardless of what soil they were sown in.  Paul may plant, Apollo may water, it is GOD who increases.

Rather than absorb myself in a pity party; I would rather engage in how best I can figure out a solution and make the best of a bad situation. For example: when I found myself as a cleaner in the then unfamiliar foreign land, I ensured I was the best cleaner obtainable and as a minicab driver, I spent time while waiting for a fare, to get to know the streets of London like I was going for an exam. The result was that I had an edge over my peers who spent hours arguing with one another about politics and issues that were to me irrelevant for that moment.

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What are your core values?

The fear of GOD is very key. Every time I called on GOD even in the tightest of spots, HE answered unreservedly (Jer 33:3). HE provided generously (Gen 22:12), and made a way for me.  Like every human, I have my flaws, but GOD took me through them all.  One of my favourite songs is: what shall I render to YOU oh LORD?

You are quiet and almost an introvert. Are you shy?

I am a very quiet person by nature and I consider myself as a private individual.  Shy?  I wouldn’t say I am entirely a shy person; just that I guard what comes out of my mouth.  Like every individual, I sometimes let down my guards when in the midst of my peers. In overall, I am usually slow to speak but quite often quick to listen. My desire is that every word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are acceptable always to the LORD.

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What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is to be at peace – that is, the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding. The passage of the Bible states that a man’s wealth does not comprise the abundance of his physical possession.  To chase after wealth and lose one’s soul is a very unprofitable enterprise.  Even Solomon, at the end of his life, came to one simple conclusion: vanity of vanity all is vanity.

What are your post-retirement plans?

Like an interview I gave recently and answer to many friends and associates who asked, my plan is to take each day at a time and be closer to GOD by HIS grace. The book of Matthew 6 admonishes not to worry about tomorrow, let tomorrow take care of itself. This passage of the Bible helped me tremendously throughout my career, as I focused my attention on resolving issues rather than worrying about them.  The effects of worries simply multiply the problems.


How do you intend to be more actively involved in the development of Ile-Oluji? Any specific plans or projects?

We can develop Ile-Oluji to world standard if we all play our parts. I have always been involved in many projects about the development of Ile-Oluji; albeit quietly in most cases. I was quite active in the INU – London as a member of the Executives, I heavily supported the INPA and was involved in the Ile-Oluji National Association. I do not see myself deviating from this.  In the previous interview I had with Ile-Oluji Times, I remember saying something to the effect that ‘all hands must be on the deck’.  The mighty elephants and the little ants play their roles well to make a forest what it is.  So are the tiny shrubs and the giant oak trees.  In the ‘forest of life’, there is room for everyone.

The development of Ile-Oluji should be very paramount to all Oijefon.  One of the reasons most of our people reside in the Diaspora is because of the economic situation and insecurity in Nigeria.  In the past, people would be eager to return home after their studies abroad to jobs, good accommodation and other amenities awaiting them. I believe things changed due to the greed and lack of accountability of those in authority.  Changes for the better and orderliness can begin with Oijefon across the globe (home and abroad).  There is nothing stopping us from being the good ambassadors to effect the changes needed in Nigeria.  We can be the role models of the nation.

There can never be anywhere like home and it is my firm belief that Ile-Oluji can be developed to world standard if we all put our hearts to it with everyone playing their parts, not just a few or those in the Diaspora; everyone should be encouraged to bring the best of what they have to ‘the table’.  I am a firm believer in ‘excellence’ since my childhood. The beautiful things we see in developed countries can be replicated in Ile-Oluji or even improved upon if we set our minds to it in unison.  It is impossible to walk together in unity except we are in total agreement. We should stop ‘blowing’ each other’s lamps out.  With everyone’s light burning, there will be more than sufficient illumination for us all

What advice do you have for the Jegun in council and the Ile-Oluji Development Council?

Rather than advise, I would highly commend the Jegun in council for the laudable developments in the Kingdom, and how Ile-Oluji is being put more and more on the ‘map of the world’.  I am happy that I do not have to describe to anyone where Ile-Oluji is, as was in the past when people would ask – ‘where is that?

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What is the focus of the M. Olubi Foundation and what are your plans?

I set up M. Olubi Foundation a few years back with the main purpose of helping in my little way, the less privileged within the society like ‘save the children, ‘world vision’ and propagating the word of GOD.  To the glory of God, I have kept it going with my personal funds and it is through the Foundation that I have channeled my charitable giving in recent years, which I intend to continue with by the special grace of the ALMIGHTY GOD.


Do you have any regrets in life?

I would have wished for my parents to have lived longer than they did.  Like we all know: ‘when it is time, it is time’.  There is time for everything upon the face of the earth.


Are you fulfilled?

My fulfillment knows no bound for knowing GOD. I just could not imagine where I would have been without GOD. There is nothing I have ever learnt or encountered in life that is not in the bible.  My encouragement to us all is to let the word of God dwell richly in our hearts.

Do you have an important success story, news, or opinion article to share with with us? Get in touch with us at publisher@thepodiummedia.com or ademolaakinbola@gmail.com Whatsapp +1 317 665 2180

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