A Keynote Address delivered by Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN, at the Annual Dinner and Award of Excellence Ceremony of the University of Benin Alumni Association, Ondo State Branch, Held at BON Hotel, Ijapo Estate, Akure, on Saturday, 3rd May 2025.
Protocols
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to be honoured by the invitation to deliver a keynote address at this auspicious dinner and award of excellence ceremony of the University of Benin Alumni Association, Ondo State Branch. My association with, and the prominent roles I have been opportune to play, and still playing, at the University of Benin Alumni Association and the Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU), recently, renamed Association of Nigerian University Alumni (ANUA) makes it for me, always a delight to be invited to a function from these constituencies.
It was during my tenure as the Vice-President (West) of the University of Benin Alumni Association (2002 – 2006), that the University of Benin Alumni Association, Ondo State Branch was formerly inaugurated by Dr. Mike I. Okonofua, JP, the Alumni President, during the tenure of Ola Orimoloye, Esq (as he then was) as Chairman. The success of that inauguration was to be later recognized and rewarded when Ola Orimoloye, Esq and I, were conferred with the chieftaincy titles of High Chief Ogwasemipe of Owo Kingdom and High Chief Ogwatumise of Owo Kingdom, respectively on 14 November, 2006, by His Royal Majesty, Oba David V. Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, OFR, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom who was then the 6th Chancellor of the University of Benin and who requested the University’s Management to present three (3) Alums for chieftaincy titles. The third nominee was absent and was not so conferred. May the souls of His Royal Majesty, Oba David V. Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, OFR, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, and High Chief Ola Orimoloye, the Ogwasemipe of Owo Kingdom, and the souls of all faithful departed, continue to rest in peace, Amen.
I am very grateful to the Chairman, the Executive Committee, the Local Organizing Committee and indeed, the entire membership of the Branch for this invitation to share my thoughts on “The Role of Alumni Associations in Promoting Social Justice and Economic Development in a Democracy.”
The topic of our discussion in this august gathering can not be more apt, relevant, and compelling. It calls for introspection, soul searching, and self-evaluation, with the objective at refocusing, rebranding, and repositioning the Alumni Associations. Before going further, however, forgive me for skipping the usual ritual of definitions: that is hardly necessary and might even be condescending in such a collection of some of Nigeria’s brightest minds- alumni of the Greatest UNIBEN, and their much-respected guests and friends of the University of Benin! No, I will not bore you with an elaborate treatise on ‘democracy’, ‘social justice’ and ‘economic development’. We all know the meanings of those concepts. However, for the sake of completeness, I shall say a few words about them, with your kind permission.
Democracy
Probably the most famous definition of ‘democracy’ was espoused by the great American President, Abraham Lincoln, who described it, colloquially, as ‘the government of the people, by the people and for the people’. It is a system for selecting political and parliamentary leadership and representation through competitive, free, fair and credible elections based on universal adult suffrage.
In Nigeria, the voting age is eighteen (18) years. I had the honour and right to participate as a voter in what is known as the 2nd Republic in Nigeria and have continued to participate as a voter. I voted for the first time at the presidential elections held on 11 August 1979, having turned eighteen years on 27 July 1979. My voting centre was at the Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos. My father, Pa. Jeremiah Olu Oma Ahonaruogho, greatly admired Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), the presidential candidate of the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), and talked about voting for him. I was however, moved to vote for my father’s namesake, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo, SAN (6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987), the presidential candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the only legal practitioner amongst the five (5) presidential candidates. The others were Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN); Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri (the apostle of politics without bitterness), of the Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP), and Mallam Aminu Kano of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP). Alhaji Shehu Shagari won the election after the mathematical twelve two-thirds of nineteen States theory of Chief Richard Akinjide SAN at the Supreme Court of Nigeria! There was beauty in that election.
The five political parties that contested in the 1979 general elections in Nigeria were in 1982, joined by the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), led by Mr. Tunji Braithwaite having been registered by the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), making six political parties that contested in the 1983 general elections. I was the Student’s Leader of NAP in Bendel State and campaigned with Mr. (later Dr.) Tunji Braithwaite at the Urhokpota Hall, Ring Road, Benin City in the 1983 general elections.
The 3rd Republic was short-lived.
I played an active part in the formation of the Liberal Convention Party, which was not registered by the General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), led military head of state. Two (2) political parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Congress (NRC) were later created and funded by the government.
Elections to the Office of Governor of the States of the Federation were held in January 1992, and elections into the Parliament were held on 4th June, 1992. The National Assembly in what is now known as the botched 3rd Republic in Nigeria was inaugurated in Abuja on 27th July, 1992. What was then left was the election to the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which suffered setbacks with several Politicians disqualified and banned from participating as candidates in the election for the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the two Political Parties, the SDP and the NRC.
Finally, the June 12, 1993, General Election took place, and the Presidential candidate of the SDP, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola’s victory at the polls was annulled by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. An Order of interim injunction was obtained to prevent the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Professor Humphrey Nwosu from continuing with the declaration of the results of the election and from declaring a winner.
The sustained agitation against the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election led to the ‘stepping aside’ of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and the hurried composition of the Interim National Government (ING) headed by Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan whose government was short-lived and was declared a nullity by the Honourable Justice Dolapo Akinsanya of the High Court of Justice of Lagos State. The ING was soon thereafter overthrown by General Sanni Abacha.
In an article written by me as the then Chairman, Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU), and published by The Nation newspaper, it was reported thus:
“Chairman of the Conference of Alumni Association of Nigeria Universities (CAANU), Chief Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare the late Chief Moshood Abiola winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Ahonaruogho, in a statement, said Jonathan deserves commendation for having the courage to honour the late Abiola 19 years after the election.
He said: “Now, what is needed is the official declaration by government of the result of that election and the official pronouncement of Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of that election (and not the presumed winner) and the declaration of Chief MKO Abiola as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, posthumously with the highest National honour, GCFR, while the Vice-President elect, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, be given the National honour, GCON.
“All the benefits due to the previous holders of the Offices of President and Vice-Presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be bestowed on Chief Abiola and Alhaji kingibe. This must be followed by an Executive Bill by Mr. President to the National Assembly declaring June 12 a public holiday in Nigeria, as MKO Abiola Democracy Day.
“It will do well for Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the opponent of Chief MKO Abiola in the 1993 elections to also accept the results of the election.
“The naming of any edifice in Chief MKO Abiola’s honour pales into insignificance to the above. It is not too late to getting it right.”
See:
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/49921-jonathan-%E2%80%98should-pronounce-abiola-president%E2%80%99.html
See also
JONATHAN SHOULD PRONOUNCE ABIOLA PRESIDENT – ‘GISTMANIA’ OF 12TH JUNE, 2012
https://www.gistmania.com/talk/topic,112861.0.html
http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/49921-jonathan-%E2%80%98should-pronounce-abiola-president%E2%80%99.html
I am happy that my intervention on behalf of the Alumni Association has since been made the order of the day. June 12, as against May 29, is now Democracy Day in Nigeria!
Our latest experiment in this regard is the current 4th Republic which was birthed on 29 May, 1999, based on the American model of a bicameral National Assembly as well as an Executive President and State Governors. They are produced in a 4 yearly electoral cycle.
Social Justice
This concept is slightly more nuanced. According to the United Nations, ‘social justice’ is “a fundamental principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence, both within and between nations. It is a framework based on equality, solidarity, human rights, and the inherent dignity of all individuals. Social justice aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or circumstance. Social Justice may be broadly understood as the fair and compassionate distribution of the fruits of economic growth. Another definition is that ‘it is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities (National Association of Social Workers).
A third opinion posits that social justice encompasses economic justice; it is the virtue which guides us in creating those organized human interactions we call institutions, which, in turn, when justly organized provide us with access to what is good for the person – both individually and in our associations with others. Social justice also imposes on each of us a personal responsibility to work with others to design and continually perfect our institutions as tools for personal and social development (Centre for Economic and Social Justice). The three core attributes of social justice – equal rights, equal opportunies, and equal treatment – are all encapsulated in its definition as “equal rights and equitable opportunities for all” (https://www.sdfoundation.org accessed on 21st April, 2025). It is the fair and equitable division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society (www.investopedia.com, accessed on 21st April, 2025).
Economic Development
This refers to programs, policies, or activities that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community (www.gov.bc.ca; accessed on 21st April, 2025). It is obvious, that what economic development means to a particular person depends on the community he or she lives in as each community has its own peculiar opportunities, challenges and priorities. Nigeria is no different. However though economic development priorities vary, the following are often its goals (www2.gov.bc.ca, supra):
• Creating more jobs and more job variety;
• Keeping businesses and getting new ones;
• A better quality of life;
• More people and businesses paying taxes;
• More productive use of property;
• Promoting your community’s assets;
• Making and selling more local products;
• Getting more skilled workers living in your community.
I will certainly not define an alumni association! Our UBAA Constitution has done that eloquently and comprehensively. Suffice it to say that the need for such associations is borne out of the difference which their members make – individually – in their chosen fields of endeavour based, of course, on the knowledge which they acquired from their alma mater. Once again, Greatest UNIBEN is no different.
Certainly not this esteemed Branch. In its over half a century of existence, (fifty-five years on 23rd November 2025), our Greatest UNIBEN has churned out possibly over three hundred and fifty thousand graduates, some of whom have become experts in diverse fields and vocations – from medicine, to law, to engineering, to accounting, to management, to entrepreneurship, political science, agriculture, and everything in between. Our members have deservedly carved a niche for themselves and made their mark in industry and scholarship. They have excelled and continue to excel and are often the standard-bearers and litmus tests of all that is great and good in morality, education and learning. This is a record for which this esteemed branch can be justifiably proud. We should be forgiven, therefore, for giving ourselves a collective pat on the back. But that is as far as it should go. We should not rest on our oars or sit on our laurels, basking in our individual (and even collective) glory.
No. That would be a mistake. Hence the topicality of the subject of this address. How do we, as a group, leverage on our collective strengths to make a positive impact and contribution to the perennial challenges which beset us as a nation: that of promoting social justice, economic development and deepening democracy? Couched in this way, our individual achievements suddenly seem inconsequential and insignificant. The old adage of the broom sweeping better than a broom-stick certainly comes to mind.
Talking of adages, another one – that charity begins at home – can not be more apt in terms of alumni impact and engagement. In other words, before looking at the big picture (the broader society) it is important to examine how alumni associations can contribute to the development of tertiary institutions. This might be something of a beaten track (and veering somewhat from the theme of this lecture), but I believe it is still important to remind ourselves that some of our core objectives vis-à-vis, our alma mater include the following: –
• Provision of financial support;
• Provision of technical support;
• Providing suggestions and recommendations;
• Supporting the development of infrastructural facilities;
• Investing in our institution’s research programmes;
• Supporting curriculum reform and development;
• Promoting accountability and transparency in our alma mater;
• Supporting student’s service and promoting their mentorship;
• Supporting effective implementation of our alma mater’s community programmes;
• Promoting overall equality education and projecting our alma mater’s programmes and image;
• Mediating in any disagreement between government and our alma mater.
To the extent that our alma mater is not an island, the convergence of the foregoing objectives with those of the larger society which is the theme of this paper becomes obvious – not just apparent. That being the case, the better we are at promoting and enhancing the above goals, the greater our capacity to do so in the larger society. Let us never forget that.
What Difference Can We Make?
This question is as loaded as they come – but it is not necessarily challenging nor intimidating. We are certainly not daunted by it, as we are equal to the task and fully up for the job. All it takes is for us to collectively focus on the identified areas of need in terms of the well-known definitions of democracy, social and economic development as I have outlined earlier. Looking at them, one at a time, the question is what our dear alumni, do as a group, or even individually, to:
• Deepen democracy;
• Enhance social justice; and
• Foster economic development in Nigeria- if not beyond?
Let me attempt some answers.
Deepening Democracy
The architecture or framework of democratic governance in Nigeria is firmly rooted in a system of political parties. They are the only constitutionally recognized means, foundation and bases (or vehicle) for achieving political power. This rules us (Alumni) out, obviously, for we are no more than a pressure group. This also disqualifies our members as individually, as the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize non-party or zero party candidate in any election- from local government to the Presidency.
However, this does not mean that we are religiously apolitical- even if the Constitution of our Alumni says so. Man is, by definition, a political animal, so the saying goes. Accordingly, beyond openly canvassing for votes on behalf of any candidate or political party in an election, be it local, state or national, we must consciously strive to sensitize our immediate and larger communities about the virtues and benefits of credible, free and fair elections, whose results reflect the popular will as expressed in the ballot-box and not through the courts. We have had enough of that and, even though as a senior lawyer, I can assure you it is against my personal interest to make this case, yet, make it I will because our national and collective interest is far more important. We simply cannot continue like this.
Democracy remains the best form of government ever evolved by man. History has proved this. Regrettably, a quarter of a century into our latest experiment in democratic governance, Nigeria is still groping in the dark and yet to find its feet in terms of the right democratic culture and ethos. Countless seminars, workshops (and even the odd Constitutional or National Conference) have failed to produce the right formula which will make the difference where it matters most: our hearts and minds. The less election petitions, the better. I must in this wise praise the courage of President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, GCON the only Vice President to become President, for a accepting the results of the 2015 presidential elections which remove a sitting president and without contestation in court! This deepened democracy and our politicians should not see politics as a do or die affair, but rather allow the electoral will of the people prevail. The political parties must be encouraged to allow internal democracy prevail so as to create less friction which robes good and quality candidates the opportunity of emerging in free and fair contests to emerge as flag bearers for elections.
The individual members of our alumni must, therefore, see the challenge of deepening democracy in our dear country as a bounden duty and a collective obligation to be pursued with messianic zeal. We have no option, as the alternative is to descend into the Hobbesian State, where life is nasty, brutish and short – and, there will be no winners as, we will all be the worse for it. We can ill-afford that. Therefore, even if it is merely playing the role of observers in elections, enlightening members of our immediate community on the need to cast their votes for candidates of their chosen and not to sell or buy votes or as witnesses in election-related litigation, we must rise to the challenge of defending democracy and promoting the observance of its ethos and best practices. It is a call to duty to which we must answer.
Enhancing Social Justice
The imperative of social justice is self-evident. Across the world, it is an ideal which everyone subscribes to. It is a cardinal objective of all the human rights codes worldwide – including Nigeria (contained in the Fourth Chapter of the Constitution as well as the African Charter and the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Accordingly, our challenge, as alumni, is to tax ourselves individually and, collectively, on how we can safeguard and promote the various prescriptions of the aforesaid Codes – the non-observance or breach of which invariably undermines or impedes the attainment of social justice.
More specifically, we should constantly be conscious of, alert and sensitive to, fair treatment of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability or socio-economic status. We must equally strive to eradicate – or, at least challenge – economic inequality, racial injustice, gender injustice, disability injustice and environmental injustice (https://www.sdfoundation.org – accessed on 25th April, 2025).
Given that social justice strives for fairness in relations between individuals in society and equal access to wealth, opportunities and social privileges, our mission as a group (and as individuals) in attaining this goal in Nigeria, must focus on the following identified principles, namely: Access to Resources, Equity, Participation, Diversity and Human Rights (www.corporatefinanceinstitute.com – accessed on 25th April, 2025),
We will better appreciate the difference which our alumni can make by saying a few words about these principles, as follows:
– Access to Resources: This refers to the extent to which different socio-economic group receive equal access to give everyone an equal start in life through such resources as healthcare, food, shelter, education and recreation.
– Equity: this refers to how individuals are given tools specific to their needs and socio-economic status in order to move towards similar outcomes. This should not be confused with equality where everyone is offered the same tools to move towards the same outcome. Therefore, things that are equal are not necessarily equitable due to the more advanced needs of some individuals and groups. Equity focused social justice policies can help to overcome systemic barriers.
– Participation: this refers to how everyone in a community is given a voice and opportunity to express their concerns and to have a role in decision-making that affects their livelihood and living standards. This is undermined (leading to social injustice) when a relatively small group of individuals make decisions for a large group while others are prevented from expressing themselves.
– Diversity: the recognition that certain groups encounter more barriers and inequities enable policymakers in government to expand opportunities for such marginalized and disadvantaged people. Implementing anti-discriminatory policies will tackle such practices rooted in race, gender, ethnicity, sex, age, etc.
– Human Rights: These have already been alluded to and they have rightly been described as fundamental to the notion of social justice and are interrelated to the extent that one cannot exist without the other.
The foregoing shows that our task as alumni is simply to ask ourselves how we can enhance social justice looking at it from any of the foregoing principle prisms. How, can we deepen access to resources, equity, participation, diversity and human rights? Looked at this way, it is obvious that we can make that difference on a very basic, individual level – in our homes, communities, localities, neighbourhoods, state and the country at large.
Needless to say, our education (which is what we have in common – from our alma mater) has uniquely equipped and positioned us to achieve this: to be change-makers and catalysts for achieving the good we all desire. Knowledge is power and education is light. Let us shine it on the world around us and be a beacon of hope of all that is just and good. We can be the change we seek. It starts with every one of us: the man (or woman) in the mirror. Let our knowledge be for service in keeping with the University of Benin, motto: “KNOWLEDGE FOR SERVICE”.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The strategies for achieving sustainable economic well-being were outlined earlier on. Suffice it to say that all we need to do is to commit to, imbibe, and apply them in our engagements, interactions, and exertions – especially in public spaces. As a reminder, we can make the desired impact on the economic front by creating more jobs, maintaining businesses and attracting new ones, creating better quality of life, getting more people and businesses to pay taxes, making more productive use of property, promoting communal assets, producing and selling more local products and ensuring that more skilled workers live within our communities. However, this list is by no means exhaustive.
Conclusion
We can achieve all of the foregoing as individuals (in our personal capacities) and collectively as alumni through proffering advice and counsel (even if unsolicited or gratuitous!) to policymakers and people in positions of authority and power – in government. Thankfully, many of us already occupy such positions, so it is not as difficult as it might seem. Indeed, I believe such engagements have been ongoing. No doubt, that will continue to be the case. It must not stop. Rather, it should be intensified. Ours is not just a talk-shop or a friendly society.
No. It is a group of like-minded people, bonded by something very profound and unique: education. In this society, we are special and privileged: we possess tertiary education. We must not take it for granted or behave as if we acquired it for our individual or personal benefits alone. Rather, we must deploy it to the greater good: the society at large. We must make our impact felt so that all can see that Greatest UNIBEN is a university with a difference, whose alumni stand out like a beacon in their desire and passion to transform their society; who are committed to making it a better place where social justice and economic development thrive and are the cornerstones of democracy that works for all.
The gathering at this dinner and award ceremony is a testament that the University of Benin, otherwise known as UNIBEST is impacting the nation positively.
I commend the awardees for their recognitions and awards and urge them to continue to do more for the benefit of the society and mankind.
It only remains for me to add that we must all enjoin our elected representatives at all levels to enhance their performances in office so as to deliver a just and more egalitarian society in which social justice and economic development thrives. Yes, we are in a democracy, but it must be a democracy that works for the greatest good for the greatest number! Policies of government must be tailored for the benefit of the people. We must hold government accountable. Reward sterling performances and shun those whose performances do not reflect the education acquired. We must not be over-patronizing of political office holders, otherwise, we are debarred from holding them to the highest standards expected from them.
Political office holders should not create walls that prevent them from accessing true and sincere advice and recommendations from the alumni, to whom they will return after the very temporary offices they now enjoy. True friendship rises beyond political offices, patronage, or no patronage.
God bless the University of Benin Alumni Association.
God bless the University of Benin.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Thank you all.
Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho SAN
Prince of Okpe Kingdom & High Chief Ogwatunmise of Owo Kingdom
Past President, University of Benin Alumni Association (UBAA)
Past Chairman, Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU)
Former Member, Governing Council, University of Benin
Former Member, Governing Council, Chrisland University
Member, Governing Council of the Sam Maris University
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Victory High School/College Alumni Association
Member, Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian University Alumni (ANUA)
Member, Board of Governors, Mayors Schools, Ikeja, Lagos
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Bar & Bench Forum
