he concluded in 1977. Roland was later slowed down by fate, perhaps to prepare him for his great future, so much that at age nineteen after GCE advance level, young Roland for about four (4) years taught in two Secondary School Ekpese College, Lampese and Ikpeshi Grammar School, Akoko-Edo LGA of the then Bendel State now Edo State. The experiences he garnered during this brief but seemingly long period, he still very much remembers with nostalgia.
In the struggle to attain God destination, Roland gained admission into the University of Benin in 1982 to read Law and during his undergraduate programme in UNIBEN he demonstrated his academic prowess, which stood him out amongst his course mate in the Law Faculty. He passed the Bar final examination and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986.

As a patriotic Nigerian ready to serve his fatherland, he was posted for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to Kwara State. Between 1986 and 1987, he served in the chambers of David Babalola & Co, Ilorin. Thereafter, he left Ilorin but God had a purpose that must be fulfilled in his life in Ilorin as Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who had noticed the young, brilliant, diligent and energetic lawyer in court several times, went after him and encourage him to return to Ilorin to work for him. Roland later demonstrated his efficiency and capability on advocacy at Wole Olanipekun & Company, Amoye Chambers, Ilorin between 1987 and 1993 after which he left voluntarily to establish his own chambers.
Not satisfied with his humble achievements in academic pursuits, Roland went back to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and obtained his LL.M.(Masters Degree) in 1997 and later University of Ilorin for Masters degree Industrial and Labour Relations. This great icon further passed the Associate Membership Course of the Institute of Chartered Arbitrators ACI Arb (UK) in 2005 and that of Institute of Capital Market Registrars (MICMR) in 2006.

It is worthy to note that when Chief Awomolo, SAN invited Roland Itoyah Otaru for a chat and a proposition in 2002, no one, not even the chief knew that
God was beginning another phase in the life of Otaru. The idea of a partnership was introduced to him and humbly thanked the Chief the Chief but asked that he prayed about it. He did not only pray about it, he consulted widely among professional colleagues, family members, close friends etc most of them except a few pessimistic ones gave him the encouragement to go ahead and grab the opportunity. Some of them even confidently told him that they would have jump at such offer. The partnership of Awomolo, Otaru and Associates, was therefore born in January 2003, evidenced by Deed of Partnership.

Since the birth of Awomolo, Otaru & Co., Otaru has become the Managing Partner of the firm, which is growing from strength to strength. Presently, he is the Chief Counsel of Otaru Otaru & Co. Legal Practitioners.

An advocate to the core as no case or brief is too big for him to handle. A man described as workaholic who works as such a speed that juniors struggle to match him. As an erudite legal luminary, Otaru has many publications to his credit.

Apart from the elevation of Otaru to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a rank many had pursued and are still pursuing, Roland had numerous  other awards in his kitty.

Conclusively, Roland Itoyah Otaru is a celebrated achiever being the first Senior Advocate  of Nigeria (SAN) in the entire Edo North (Afemai) the then Kukuruku Division. He is a man that the entire Edo North people, especially the legal practitioners, should gather to celebrate his attainment having done them proud as the first and only Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Roland Itoyah Otaru is married to charming, delectable adorable Comfort (nee Ogundipe), which he addressed as Iyawo Mi and they are blessed with Children.