Goddy Jidenma Foundation Mourns Nwabueze

Goddy Jidenma Foundation has mourned the passing of its premier chairman, legal icon, and globally celebrated constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze, who died at 92.

In a statement by Executive Secretary, Goddy Jidenma Foundation, Dr. Ije Jidenma, on behalf of the board of trustees, it reads: “Nigeria has indeed lost an icon. Nwabueze was a legal icon and highly cerebral. He was the first academic lawyer to be conferred with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) status based on his published works. His footprints in Africa are far flung across the cities of Lagos, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Botswana, and Swaziland. He was also a National Merit Award winner.

“A public intellectual, he was the pioneer Secretary-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Oduah Afo-na-isagba of Atani, Anambra State. He contributed immensely to the transformation of that organisation into a modern positive force for nation building.”

His contributions to the national discourse at various times were original and conveyed extraordinary depth.

In 2009, Goddy Jidenma Foundation was privileged to have him as the distinguished guest lecturer where he delivered a widely acclaimed and well-received lecture on “The Strengthening of the Foundations and Institutions of Democracy in Africa.

“We pay tribute to a first-rate academic with over thirty published books and treatises. He worked tirelessly to see that a better society is ushered in. Thus, he served the country as the Minister for Education and Youth Development. He also formed “The Patriots” together with Chief Rotimi Williams (of blessed memory) in his tireless quest for a better society, providing a serious non-partisan platform for engagement with various stakeholders including the government.

“Nigeria has lost one of its far thinkers. Nay, Africa has lost a great leader with undeniable influence and impact. The world has lost an icon whose contributions truly typify the pen being mightier than sword.”