As family, friends, associates and well-wishers of His Excellency Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju mark the one year anniversary of his passing, it’s another time to reflect on the life and times of this colossus of a man.
For a man who lived to the fullest and achieved the pinnacle of his endeavours, his wisdom, guidance and unwavering support have left indelible marks on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Born on June 14, 1945 to the family of Benjamin Mbadinuju in Uli, Mbadinuju, who later came to be known in popular circles as “ODERA,” rose from humble beginnings and transversed to global reckoning. He had his early education variously at Uli and Irete in present day Imo state before fate beckoned on him to sojourn to America at a tender age for his university education. The young man who learnt how to play piano with white Anglican missionaries defied all odds to get admitted into the State University of New York to study political science was an example in the triumph of human destiny. At the university, the young Mbadinuju excelled in academics and sports to become a popular student within the campus.
His insatiable appetite for knowledge led him to his post-graduate studies at the prestigious Cornel University where he obtained his doctorate degree. After this feat as a young man, Mbadinuju took up tenure as lecturer rising to associate professorship at the State University of New York where he founded the Department of African Studies. All of his quest for knowledge would not be enumerated properly without mentioning how he followed his passion to Great Britain to obtain a degree in Law from the University of South Hampton and being called to the English bar, and subsequently qualifying to practice in Nigeria on completion of Nigerian Law School in Lagos.
The very essence of the Mbadinuju persona: his penchant for selfless service and humility that is the hallmark of his character saw him return to Nigeria at the onset of the second republic in 1979 to offer his wealth of knowledge in the service of his people. He first took up appointment at the Enugu News Agency where he midwifed media services to effective extents before joining the reputable TIMES Corporation where he rose to the rank of Editor in Charge of International Desk.
With his sterling qualities like a shining armor, it’s only a matter of time before then Vice President Alex Ekwueme conscripted him into the administration of President Shehu Shagari as Special Assistant to the Presidency. He justified the confidence reposed in him until the overthrow of that administration by a military junta. It’s instructive to note that Mbadinuju cut his teeth in public service during this period and left indelible footprints.
After the period of arrests and unrest that greeted the overthrow of Shagari’s administration, Mbadinuju went back to his first love, which was the propagation of the gospel of salvation and offering pro bono legal services to those in need. He formed CLASFON, a platform for Christian lawyers and the Full Gospel Business Men and saved many from perdition. His exemplary character made him a household name in Onitsha, the commercial nerve center of Eastern Nigeria and elsewhere in Nigeria.
As Nigeria prepared to return to civil democracy in 1998, Mbadinuju teamed up with other nationalists to form the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and became the governorship candidate of the party in the February 1999 elections where he triumphed against other notable candidates like Professor ABC Nwosu, Senator Joy Emordi and a host of others. His victory at the polls was another testament to ODERA’s date with destiny.
When Mbadinuju took over the reins of governance in Anambra state on 29th May, 1999, it’s a dysfunctional system replete with crime and disorder. His immediate priority was how to restore a semblance of sanity within the state and he proposed the Anambra State Vigilante Services Bill that was eventually passed by the House of Assembly and this was to help in no mean feat in riddling the state of criminals that operated without fear of the law. In another example, the settlement of the recurring orgy of violence between the communities of Aguleri and Umuleri that led to wanton destruction of lives and properties was vintage ODERA in action and this won him several accolades from national and international circles.
As governor of Anambra state, Mbadinuju administration’s development aspirations were severely hampered by the intransigences of a narrow-interest element within the state. These people made it their point of duties to derail the administration and Anambra people bore the brunts of their excesses. How these elements also targeted the integrity of Governor Mbadinuju by their dangerous conspiracy theories also revealed their clandestine intentions. In the end, ODERA did his best within the circumstances for his people and history has thus far been fair to his memories.
In the period between leaving office and his glorious passing to glory, ODERA dedicate his life to improving on his legacies. He authored several books including an account of his stewardship to Anambra people, “A Journey into the Past: Stewardship and Accountability;” a reflection that is worth a good read. As a deeply spiritual person, he also authored other collections on his christain faith and critiqued some aspects of the religion.
As we reflect on the profound impacts he had on our lives, we are filled with gratitude for the time we shared and the lessons in humility and selflessness he imparted. His legacies continue to inspire us each day, and his lively presence is deeply missed beyond words.
It’s surely well with the soul of Dr. Chinwoke Clement Mbadinuju!!!
Abonu, an award-winning journalist, is of the Chinwoke Mbadinuju Foundation
