Opinion I As Eboe-Osuji Makes History In ICC

AS EBOE-OSUJI MAKES HISTORY IN ICC

        

In one of the serious conversations I had in the past with a professor friend who is equally my old time mentor, the don categorically told me that the best thing that could happen to any rational human creature was to leave legacies on the sands of time. Therein, I strongly looked into his eyes and asked him, “what is the best step to be taken to ensure that such feat is actualized?”

         

In a candid manner, he responded unequivocally “my dear, you will never leave legacies if you are not a sound and independent thinker”. To throw more light, he further stated that independent thinkers do not allow anyone to think for them, hence on a daily basis, they cough up reasonable time thinking of how to make a difference. This simply signifies that whatever we do in life is begotten by our thinking faculty.

         

It is indeed glad and amazing to note that while many were invariably busy thinking of how to ferment trouble in the land, a certain Nigerian jurist was doggedly busy thinking about how to make remarkable history. He is no other than Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji of Imo State extraction.

         

Judge Eboe-Osuji, a fine lawyer with a difference, was on Sunday 11^th March 2018 elected the President of the revered International Criminal Court (ICC). The legal luminary, who bagged his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Calabar, Cross-River State and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, is the first Nigerian to record such a feat.

        

The ICC, which is an intergovernmental body and international tribunal, has the jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the global crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity as well as war crimes. Its primary intent is to complement existing national judicial systems. Hence, it exercises its functions when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute criminals, or when the United Nations (UN) Security Council or individual states refer situations to the court. It commenced its statutory duties precisely on 1^st July 2002.     

         

Judge Eboe-Osuji, born on 2^nd September 1962, further obtained his Masters of Law degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1991 and Doctor of Law degree from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. On December 16, 2011, he was elected as a judge of the ICC; he won the office in the fifteenth ballot in the Assembly of States Parties with 102 votes.

         

He would be serving as President in the war crimes tribunal for a three-year term with immediate effect, alongside Judges Robert Fremr of the Czech Republic and Marc Perrin de Brichambant of France who were respectively elected as First Vice-President and Second Vice-President. The presidency, consisting of the president and the two vice-presidents, plays a key role in providing strategic leadership to the ICC.

         

In his victory statement, which he released immediately after the election, Judge Eboe-Osuji said, “I am deeply honoured to have been elected by my peers as President of the International Criminal Court. As I take up my duties, I feel encouraged that I am able to rely on the wide experience of the two vice-presidents,…, both of whom I have closely worked with previously…”

         

The 55-year-old Judge Eboe-Osuji who practised briefly in Nigeria after he was called to the Bar before migrating to abroad, had prior to his election as the President of the ICC served in various capacities. From 1997 to 2005, he worked at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) as prosecution counsel and senior legal officer to the judges of the tribunal.

        

From 2005 to 2007, he worked in Canada as a barrister and law lecturer. He became the Legal Adviser to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, in 2010; just to mention but a few. It’s noteworthy that he was equally called to the Ontario and British Columbia Bars, both in Canada.

        

I therefore join other well-meaning Nigerians – both home and in the Diaspora – to celebrate this rare gem who has proven that he has hitherto been working round the clock to write his name in gold; that he is a true Nigerian; that he’s one of the few who believes in leaving footprints on the sands of time; that he’s unarguably an independent thinker.

        

However, as we celebrate this Imo-born distinguished fellow, it’s worthy of note that he is expected to see this position as a stepping stone, and not the limit of his career. In view of this, I challenge him to work extra mile toward ensuring that in the next three years when he is expected to take a bow, he would be leaving the jurisdiction far better than he met it.

        

Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji needs to take into cognizance that millions of Nigerians now look up to his person, hence the need for him to carry out his obligatory duties as a role model. He mustn’t be reminded at all times that, by recording this feat, he has written his name in the Guinness Book of Record, thus is required to do everything humanly possible to defend it.

        

The Nigerian government, on its part, ought to as well learn how best to celebrate their own when he/she makes them proud. Their appreciation shouldn’t stop at a mere Twitter tweet. Overtime whenever a Nigerian distinguished him/herself in the global sphere, you would only observe a government official – on behalf of the Presidency or as may be the case – congratulating the fellow merely via a tweet on the social media. We must go beyond such gesture while appreciating our own for updating the country’s presence on the world map.

         

As this unique jurist makes history in the ICC, as much as I enjoin him to sustain the tempo, other Nigerians thinking how to ferment trouble are equally urged to individually have a rethink with a view to thinking how remarkable history could be made. And, it’s needless to state that the government ought to be willing to seek the wealth of experience of such a citizen who has succeeded in writing his name in gold. Think about it! 

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador                    

Opinion I APC, Araraume And The Rumpus on Defection

APC, ARARAUME AND THE RUMPUS ON DEFECTION

       

The last time I holistically checked, the heat was really on in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, the Eastern Heartland that even the high-ranking members were ostensibly perturbed, thus preoccupied with fear of the unknown.

        

‘Fear of the unknown’, which remains a menace that has over the decades bedevilled the human race, is a cankerworm that can attack anyone regardless of his or her status, age or background. It has existed unabated among mankind that it could play guest to anybody’s nervous system at anytime. In Physics, the uncertainty principle can to an extent analyze how the aforementioned societal canker operates on a daily basis.

         

Lest I digress; the emergence of this piece was informed by the lingering rumour that one of the staunch members of the APC, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume is considering defecting from the party to elsewhere. According to the rumpus associated with the rumour, the said intent of the political juggernaut might not be unconnected with the premonition that the political family is likely not to be accommodating or hospitable in the nearest future.

         

This implies that Sen. Araraume is perhaps marred by fear of the unknown or what have you; that he has abruptly become pessimistic over his chances in the party; that he no longer believes in the family; that he has lost interest in the modus operandi of the party; or that he has thought it wise to relocate to where he would feel more at home.

         

It’s noteworthy that Sen. Araraume is one of the prime gubernatorial aspirants in the state. The erstwhile lawmaker, who had in the past represented the Imo-North Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, has remained in the frontline of the state’s guber race since 2007 till date.

         

He was actually the governorship card bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2007 general elections. But along the line, luck ran against his person, hence the party apex leadership decided to adopt another candidate in the person of Chief Ikedi Ohakim who belonged to a different political platform known as the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). In view of this, their members were conscientized to vote for the PPA rather than the PDP. In a nut shell, the man called Araraume was during the period in review robbed of his entitlement by his political kinsmen.

         

Subsequently, he was never deterred by his past experiences. Hence, in 2011, owing to his seeming resolute and resilient nature, he persistently aspired for the same position. Luck equally ran against him in the PDP, thus he couldn’t grab the guber ticket from the party. In 2015, the vigour in him remained unchangeable; yet, as usual his fate didn’t smile on his person. 

        

And, presently, he is still passionately holding on to the wise words of the past American President, Abraham Lincoln who said, “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” In other words, Sen. Araraume who graciously defected from the PDP to the ruling APC two years ago, is at the moment still strongly determined to emerge as the number one citizen of the revered Imo.

          

Now, the rumour is on high speed that he is thinking of leaving the APC. It’s worthy of note that the party could currently boast of four major gubernatorial aspirants to include the state’s Deputy Governor – Prince Eze Madumere, the former Secretary to the State’s Government – Sir Jude Ejiogu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor – Chief Uche Nwosu, and the man in question – Sen. Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume.

        

Though it could be an unsubstantial rumour that Sen. Araraume alongside his likes is making effort to defect from the APC, it is with great concern I wish to advise him to jettison such move if he is truly thinking towards such direction. I’m not unaware that he wants to become the governor ‘by all means’, thus wouldn’t like to sense any other form of barrier on his way, but he must take into cognizance that any move to defect from the APC will drastically reduce his popularity.

        

Aside losing the fame he has earned for years, he is also liable to lose some – if not most – of his allies and protégés. I’m not a fan of Araraume, and not thinking to become one, but I detest with passion any move that is accompanied with cowardice. In other words, I’m enjoining all the aspirants in the APC to struggle vehemently to the end so that their respective supporters will remain proud of them at the end of the show. Politics is about competition, thus theirs won’t be an exception.

        

My interest is to ensure that a balance and formidable rivalry is sustained among all the aspirants in the APC as well as other political parties relevant to the state’s political terrain, and that of Nigeria in general. No one should see a political platform as a farmyard belonging to a certain individual, or only one person. No one owns an association, be it social, political or what have you. An incorporated company or firm – but not an association – can be owned by someone. The latter can only be founded by an individual but can never belong to him or her.

         

The moment the founder, or one of the founding members, of an association starts acting or parading him/herself as the owner, then the organization in question is likely on its way to extinction. This is the reason every member of any existing association, irrespective of position or rank, is said to possess equal rights and privileges in accordance with the constitution.

          

So, either unfounded or genuine, I wouldn’t like such an ongoing rumour constituting a rumpus to metamorphose into reality for the interest of us all, and Imo at large.  It was also Abraham Lincoln that said, “The probability that we may fail in struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”  Think about it!

 

Comrade Fred Doc Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador

 

ShortStory I Greater Day Ahead (II)

 

GREATER DAY AHEAD (II)

        One week later, as God would have it, his church raised the required fund on his behalf. In consequence to this, his Pastor accompanied him to his school for the awaited registration. It was indeed a miracle just like his mother kept telling him.

        Prior to the exam period, Uzo left no stone unturned towards ensuring that he made distinction in all his subjects. He was thoroughly determined to make his mum who he regarded as an ‘angel’ proud. He was a notable science student in his school that in every interschool exhibition/competition involving the school, he must be the school’s representative or one of the representatives as might be the case.

        When the results were released in August 1994, he came out with flying colours just as he anticipated. More interestingly, he was not just the best candidate among his set/peers but was the overall best in the whole of Lagos State. As regards the amazing performance, he was granted a scholarship by the state’s government to study his dream course, Medicine and Surgery in any university across the federation.

          His mum, Ugonma couldn’t hold her joy. On hearing the latest development, she felt like running from Lagos to Abia State – her home state. She alongside her entire family dedicated the rare victory to God. And, she challenged her other four children to follow suit. They were made to realize that their elder brother had laid a tremendous foundation for them, hence had no reason to fail.

          The following year being 1995, Uzo sat for the University Matriculation Examination (UME) – now known as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). He enrolled for the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Medicine.

        Consequently, he made an excellent grade when the result came out later in the year, and he successfully secured admission in the university on merit toward the end of the year in question.

          Before he departed for the campus, he had an indoor one-on-one meeting that lasted for several minutes, if not hours, with his wonderful and darling mother.

        “Uzo my son,” Ugonma called. “I have always told you that God makes a way where there seems to be no way.”

         Uzo grinned, visualizing the memory lane.

         They were seated on separate plastic chairs situated in their humble room. Ugonma who was plump, about 4.8-foot tall and chocolate, was putting on a pink casual dress and barefooted. On his part, Uzo was clad in multiple-coloured knickers, green polo spotted with white colour and equally barefooted; he was slim, fair and about 5.5-foot tall – he was a reminiscent of his late father. They were seated directly opposite each other, but very closely.

        “Now you can see for yourself.” she proceeded. “Of course you have seen how miraculous our Lord is.”

        “Mum, you are absolutely right.” he responded. “He is indeed a miracle working God.”

        “I am happy for you, my son.”

        “Thank you mum.”

        “Now that you are in the university.” she proceeded, calmly grabbed his two hands with hers respectively. “You must not forget where you are coming from.”

         She continued relentlessly till both of them became saturated. It was a holistic counselling section.

         The following three days, Uzo left for the campus. While in the university, as an ardent and gifted singer as well as one who could play an organ perfectly, he never abandoned his artistic talent rather he became more devoted to the calling.

         As time progressed, as a first year medical student and a well brought up chap, Uzo was taking three major things very seriously; they were – his prayers, studies and talent. He resisted everything that was liable to make him a failure.

         Amazingly, his singing talent took him round the state and beyond owing to uncountable public functions as well as competitions he was engaged in, that at a point, he was chosen to represent Nigeria in one international singing competition that involved students of various tertiary institutions in the world.

         In the aforesaid competition, Uzo emerged as the overall best. In addition to the astonishing prizes attached to the award which included hundred thousand US dollars, a duplex in Lagos State and a Range Over Jeep, the organizer of the event – the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – issued him a scholarship to study his discipline in any university of his choice across the globe up to any level. But Uzo chose to remain in UNILAG so he would not be far from his beloved family.

         On receiving the incredible news, his mother Ugonma passed out due to overwhelming euphoria but regained her wellness after forty-eight hours in a hospital bed.

         Little did the poor widow know that, there was a greater day that lied ahead when her son was granted a scholarship by the Lagos State government.

        From that moment onwards, their family’s life changed overnight. Everything including food, clothes and adequate shelter became available. To assert the least, they never lacked again.

       The rest is history, please.

 

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri

_____________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador