By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM
The President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe has urged alumni associations in the country to mentor students and younger graduates on civic duty, leadership, and public service as a way of bridging the gap between classroom and country.
He gave the charge during the 119th National Executive Council (NEC) & 30th Biennial Convention of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association.(UNAA) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Barr Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who spoke on the topic "Ethical Leadership: The Strategic Role of Alumni in Strengthening Nigeria's Democracy," said Nigeria’s democracy will only grow stronger if young people are trained not just to pursue success, but to pursue it ethically.
This, he said, could be achieved through structured mentorship programs, leadership seminars, and internship opportunities to raise a generation that marries competence with conscience.
Osigwe, an alumnus of UNN, described ethical leadership as a style of leadership in which a leader consistently acts with integrity, fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, and makes decisions based on what is right and in the best interest of others, rather than personal gain.
According to him, ethical leadership involves leading by example, upholding moral and professional standards, being transparent, and accepting responsibility for one’s actions, especially in positions of authority or public trust.
"A leader who does not steal public funds but who is silent in the face of injustice is not ethical. A leader who possesses personal integrity but wields power without accountability is not ethical. A leader who excels professionally but abandons their civic responsibilities has only half-fulfilled their duty," he said.
Mazi Osigwe maintained that ethical leadership encompasses integrity, accountability, fairness and service.
He argued that the role of alumni in nation-building must go far beyond social gatherings, reunions, and networking events to promoting ethical leadership through personal example.
"The role of the Alumni in strengthening Nigeria's democracy must therefore be deliberate, structured, and sustained through these five key aspects:
Civic Education and Voter Mobilization, Mentorship and the Pipeline of Ethical Leaders, Policy Advocacy and Institutional Reform, Supporting the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence, and Combating Corruption.
"Ethical leadership in a constitutional democracy is obligatory for every person who holds public trust, hence should be upheld at all times."
The NBA President however appreciated UNAA for organising the event, which he believed would go a long way in addressing deficiencies in ethical leadership in the country.
"The motto of our prestigious institution is “To Restore the Dignity of Man.” Those words are not ornamental. They are a marching order to every Lion and Lioness. In a Nigeria where dignity is crushed daily by poverty, corruption, and injustice, restoring it is not someone else’s job. It is ours.
"The 30th Biennial Convention of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association should be remembered not merely as a gathering of great minds, but as the moment when the alumni of the University of Nigeria committed, with renewed vigour and collective purpose, to being the ethical leaders that Nigeria's democracy demands," he concluded.
Earlier at the meeting, Dr Sanusi Muhammed Kani emerged as the 14th National/Global President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA) for the next two years.
Kani succeeded Lady Doris Okoroh, PhD whose eventful four years administration came to an end on Saturday 2nd May 2026 in Uyo, having ascended that throne in Awka on Saturday April 30th, 2022 as the first female to pilot the affairs of all graduates of the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) under the auspices of its alumni association.
Dr Kani, a dedicated alumnus from UNAA Kano Branch, is the first northerner to take the mantle and was the immediate past Deputy National President of the association who will bring his wealth of experience and knowledge to bear for the overall good of the association.
He was elected alongside other officers at the 119th National Executive Council (NEC) and 30th Biennial Convention of UNAA held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Members of his National Working Committee are Prof Ansalem Onyimonyi (Deputy National President), Felix Tersoo Gbaeren (Zonal Vice President, North Central), Chaplain Chukwuemeka Menuba (Zonal Vice President, North West), Emeka Anyaoha Vincent Esq (Zonal Vice President, South East), Prof Etefia E. Ekanem (Zonal Vice President, South South), Gabriel Ojasanmi (Zonal Vice President, South West).
Others are Asso. Prof Chinedu Mbalisi (National Secretary), Comrade Pastor Chikezie Uchenna C. (National Asst Secretary), Uwandu Onyenakom (National Financial Secretary), Dr Ugochukwu Ihekaire (National Chief Whip), Maduba Chinedu Samuel Esq (National Legal Adviser), Magaji Salahudeen (National Auditor), Dr Anulika Aguiyi (National Treasurer), Obiajulu Ikechukwu (National Publicity Secretary), Lady Doris Okoroh PhD (Ex-Officio 1), Atankere John O. (National Ex-Officio 2), Dr Onyinye Onuoha (National Ex-Officio 3) and Dr Juliet Ezesinachi N. (National Ex-Officio 4).
Speaking after the inauguration which formed part of her valedictory speech, the outgone National President Dr Okoroh asked members of the UNN Alumni to give full, unalloyed and unflinching support to the new executive the same way they did to her.
While appreciating all that contributed immensely to the success of her administration, she urged the new executive to surpass her achievements for the overall good of the Alumni.
"I am particularly excited that through your faith in the National Executive officers, we have been able to update our Board of Trustees Membership which is now composed of very eminent Lions and Lionesses; Registered our Constitution and Seal with the Cooperate Affairs Commission after 37 years of abandonment, among other achievements which I shall enumerate in my handover note.
"I truly appreciate your sacrifices, commitment, love, and support. We very much appreciate your praises whenever we needed to be praised and also knocks when we needed to be criticized. I would also like to state here and now, my apologies to whomsoever that I might have offended knowingly or unknowingly in the course of discharging my duties as your national/global president and also have forgiven those who offended me knowingly or unknowingly. No hard feelings from me and members of our National Exco," she concluded.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Kani promised worthy Lions and Lionesses of all-inclusive governance that will take the alumni to greater heights.
He assured that his administration will incorporate shared commitment to excellence, service, and the continued advancement of the University of Nigeria.
The newest Global President further presented four-point agenda that will guide his administration to include Unity, Institutional Stability, and a Strong Branch Network; Creation of a Robust Alumni Data Bank; Establishing a Sustainable Crowdfunding Mechanism and Encouraging Sustainable Projects and Legacies.
"Our Association must stand united. We will actively promote reconciliation, inclusiveness, and mutual respect across all levels. Institutional stability will remain a cornerstone of our efforts, ensuring that our structures are strong, transparent, and effective.
"We will strengthen existing branches, establish new ones where necessary, and foster deeper collaboration between our home-based and diaspora branches," he said.
Dr Kani further announced the immediate formation of Reconciliation Committees at both the Zonal and National levels to strengthen trust and rebuild confidence in the leadership and structures of the Association.
Highlight of the event was the award of Alumni of High Achievement (ALOHA) to eleven alumni in recognition of their outstanding performances and unwavering dedication to the course of UNAA.
They are the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru PhD; Prof Francis Chukwuemeka Eze; Mogaji Salahudeen Qumardeen Adeniyi; Engr Sir Michael Onyekachukwu Nwabueze PhD; Mrs Ahunna Henrietta Alaribe-Ognonna; Lady Stella Nwachukwu, President UNAA Umudike Branch, Chairman National Welfare Committee and Chairperson, UNAA 2026 Electoral Committee; Chief Barr Godwin Iheonu Chinyere (KSC); Comrade Uche Obasi, philanthropist, industrialist and businessman; Chief Dr Obioma Cosmas Iwuagwu; Venerable Samuel Odinakachi Njoku, JP and Engr Anietie Ekpenyong.