By Michael Oche
The first time I met Chief Ezenwa Nwagwu was at Dr. Chima Amadi’s office somewhere around Wuse 2, about eleven years ago. I was a budding journalist then, still trying to find my footing. He was already a well-respected student, political, and civil society leader. That meeting was more of a chance encounter.
As a young journalist, I had met a few “big men,” but there was something distinct about his personality. Till this day, I can’t tell why he took interest in me. While I was discussing with Dr. Amadi, he suddenly turned to me and asked, “Oche, as a journalist, what book are you currently reading?” Perhaps the surprise on my face gave me away because he quickly followed up with, “So, what was the last book you read?”
That simple exchange marked the beginning of a relationship that has endured—one built on respect, mentorship, and shared passion for the nation. You can never leave a meeting or phone conversation with Oga Eze without enriching your perspective on delicate issues of nation-building. His ability to simplify complex matters is what truly sets him apart.
It is no surprise he remains one of the most sought-after voices within Nigeria’s civil society movement. A critical thinker with a sharp, independent mind, his perspective on issues always stands out.
My biggest surprise about him came a few years ago. I was in his office when someone asked if he would ever consider a political appointment. His answer stunned me. He said if he ever had to pick one, it would be at the National Orientation Agency. That is how deeply committed he is to citizens’ education, especially around Nigeria’s democracy.
Since that chance meeting at Dr. Amadi’s office, I have never missed an opportunity to read a good book each month. That’s how much his influence shaped me. Everything he said that day inspired me to keep building my personal capacity. Years later, when I had the privilege of working more closely with him, I saw firsthand how deeply he detests ignorance. He always insists on speaking from a place of knowledge and understanding.
I have seen Chief Eze spend his personal money, running into millions of naira, on citizens’ and voters’ education. While I understand his activism, I still cannot fully comprehend why, in today’s Nigeria where many seek personal gain, someone would continue to invest personal resources in public enlightenment. But that’s how passionate he is about Nigeria’s growth. Few people today give so much of themselves to the service of their country.
I may not know what makes him happy – after all, he often wears a serious face – but I certainly know what makes Chief Eze angry: ignorance of citizens, and deliberate attempts by the political class to undermine public institutions. Too often, I have heard him say, “The tragedy of public commentary in Nigeria is ignorance parading as authority.”
It was from him that I first heard the phrase, “We are not an association of critics. We commend when we have to, and condemn when necessary.”
He is also known for his impatience with procrastination, one of the few areas where we often clash. Sometimes I prefer to work at my own pace, then he calls and says, “Oche, this is important.” Through him, I have learned to work under pressure and to prioritize what truly matters.
Chief Eze delights in creating opportunities for others to thrive, irrespective of tribe or religion. He speaks Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo fluently, and has travelled across all 36 states of Nigeria, educating citizens on democracy and elections. His physical agility, intellectual alacrity, and social dexterity are unmatched. He would often say to me, “Oche, don’t be afraid to stand alone.”
Sometimes he calls to seek my opinion on issues, and I am always struck by his humility. He is older, more experienced, and yet genuinely open to learning. That’s just who he is—simple, open, and unpretentious.
Since that first meeting many years ago, I have come to associate closely with Oga Eze. He has been a pillar of support and a constant source of inspiration. Forthright and honest, he can disagree without malice and hardly holds grudges.
One lesson that has stayed with me came from him: “Always put a price on your value, or people will take advantage of it.”
Chief Eze is one of the most credible faces of election monitoring in Nigeria, almost synonymous with it. No serious media house covers elections without seeking his perspective on their credibility. He served as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference on the platform of Civil Society Organisations and played a pivotal role in the success of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room during the 2015 general elections.
In the realm of elections, he possesses the kind of expertise only a professor of practice could claim.
Chief Eze is a deep thinker, a patriot, and a man who has dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria. To many of us, he is a mentor, a teacher, and a boss.
Happy birthday, sir. Here’s to many more years of wisdom, strength, and service to our nation.
