By Vivian Obinwa & Ekene Okolie
In Honour of Prof. Chidi Odinkalu
Growing up, professors, and by extension Lawyers, are revered much in the communities and society at large, unlike the charades we see today. In the legal profession, we heard about the likes of Lt. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and others whose stellar performance and reputable conduct still commands admiration and respect. One could attest that after reading some of their work and reasoning, we can admit there is a lacuna in the latter system.
What is it about the professors of old? What is it that globally, people often yearn, reference, or wish for the past standards of the society, be it in parental or family front, social behaviours, education, political, institutional front and the rest? Why does it matter?
It is about character, integrity, principles, standards, which in turn command or attract respect from the people and shapes public perception, boost public trust and confidence in institutions headed by individual of such repute. It was never based on money, material possessions, acquisitions or affluence. They care a lot about preserving their names in the sands of time and the future of the society (posterity). They take pride in preserving ethical standards and investing in human capital development.
The distinctive trait missing in the present day system is that of ethos or fundamentals of values and character (ethical standards) which the elites of old upheld, that naturally in turn, commands or attracts reverence, respect from the people, boosting positive public perception, trust and confidence in institutions when headed by such characters of repute.. …and NEVER was it about MONEY, primitive ACQUISITIONS , material POSSESSIONS or POWER. In the present, respect, recognition, and power or positions of authority are now being commanded by guns, threats of violence, intimidation, or curry with money, via affiliation or affinity and never deservedly EARNED.
In a society where there is deficit of ethical standards, the likes of these terms such as integrity, contentment, posterity, accountability, dignity, Virtue, self-discipline, self-respect, meritocracy, legacy, respect or preservation of one’s name/family name, selflessness, resourcefulness, quest for excellence, self-reflection and others have gone into extinct. They have been replaced with “anyhowness”, “anywhere belle face”, greed, inordinate quest for power/money, and wanton quest for primitive acquisition or recognition, brazen violations and unaccountability.
‘ANYHOWNESS’ which simply characterises a society that thrives in IMPUNITY, unaccountability, inordinate quest for money/power or relevance. A society where anything goes, people brazenly do things that undermine the ethical principles, character and reputation for money/power or recognition.
A society where most characters grabbing public offices and their appointees never had any decent means of livelihood aside from sitting on public funds. Some, by reason of birth, has never known decent earnings other than feeding off public purse or “national feeding bottle” as Odinkalu would call it. A society that applauds becoming wealthy overnight by just sitting on public funds.
The likes of Prof. Odinkalu, like the professors of old has proven dignity in decent earning/labour and decent living. Dignity in contentment. As he would say “I don’t want much, my needs are very minimal”. That is contentment.
It is disheartening and unbelievable to see professors, professionals, elites of today unabashedly justify and defend the INDEFENSIBLE. The loss of trust, the disdain, lack of confidence and negative perception of the institutions of authority by the public in the present society of ours is as a result of lack of accountability and character.
In an era where ethical standards often appear compromised or have eroded, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu stands as a paragon of integrity and moral courage, reminiscent of the Professors of Old in the present.
Odinkalu’s stance on responsible leadership values of accountability, the rule of law, due process, and other principles is evident from numerous publications and his activism and criticisms directed to the authorities and institutions.
Prof. Odinkalu has built such a reputation just as the likes of Mr Peter Obi, that if his name should be mentioned in a circle for offers or anything gratuitous that may undermine integrity, compromise character or his person, voices in that circle will rise to say “ bad idea, ‘wrong choice’ he will never accept or buy into this”. Same offers people will go lobbying for or can never resist and say no.. That is the definition of integrity.
Odinkalu’s resilience and consistency in upholding the system and institutions accountable, and reforms even in the face of overwhelming political adversaries and open threats to life, is a striking example of a leader rising above suffering.
His resilience, stellar academic, career journey and civic activism have been captured in several publications. A few reads are below.
BarandBench (2024) Corpus juris abracadabrum, by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu. Available at: https://barandbenchwatch.com/2024/05/11/corpus-juris-abracadabrum-by-chidi-anselm-odinkalu/
Barandbenchwatch (2024) Prof Chidi Anselm Odinkalu is our Icon for the week. Available at: https://barandbenchwatch.com/2024/05/05/prof-chidi-anselm-odinkalu-is-our-icon-for-the-week/
Bronwen, M. (2024) ‘A new treaty on statelessness and the right to a nationality in Africa’, Global Citizenship Observatory. Available at: https://globalcit.eu/a-new-treaty-on-statelessness-and-the-right-to-a-nationality-in-africa/#:~:text=On%2017%20February%202024%2C%20the,Eradication%20of%20Statelessness%20in%20Africa
Odinkalu, C.A. (2024) At last a treaty to protect citizenship rights. LinkedIn. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/chidi-anselm-odinkalu-22583621a_at-last-a-treaty-to-protect-citizenship-rights-activity-7166107371264540672-8cFu
Odinkalu, C. A. (2025) The Character and Integrity of Leaderships Commands Respect for Institutions boost Public Trust and Perception; the case of National Human Rights Commission at his Time. Available at: https://x.com/ChidiOdinkalu/status/1931284559506845721?t=IWvZ49UXxW_gP-ccc09LIQ&s=08
His Books:
THE SELECTORATE: When Judges Topple the People
TOO GOOD TO DIE: Third Term and the Myth of the Indispensable Man in Africa
Hey Prof, the people recognize your work, the society sees you, and globally by extension. You are celebrated today and always in our hearts and prayers..
■ We cannot think of reforming institutions or driving a workable society without entrenching, celebrating and rewarding the right characters and values in the society and not anyhowness, ‘anywhere belle face’ charades, and money syndrome the society worships today. Prof CHIDI is an example of hope for character and integrity. A beacon of courage for the younger generation to uphold the right values and virtues.
Happy birthday, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.
