Chief Kanu Agabi: The Legal Icon, Mentor And Philanthropist -By Gozie Irogboli

Like many other Nigerians, I have always admired the person of Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN, CON, for obvious reasons. And I feel I will not just stop at that but write about this great man as I have done about others in the past, not just as a tribute to him but a way of motivating others especially the youths, who seem to be distracted by many frivolities these days, to aspire for true greatness that the lives of people like Chief Kanu Agabi exemplifies.  As I have always emphasized, in this era of declining ethical values and near-absence of mentors and genuine role models, I find it necessary always to point out to the youths to mirror the life of those who have achieved success and greatness by dint of hard work. Although, I have not had any personal encounter with the legal luminary beyond our association with University of Lagos Alumni Association, yet, what I learnt from his conduct is more than enough to write volumes about his sterling qualities and legacies.

Clearly, Chief Kanu Agabi needs no introduction given his pedigree and numerous accomplishments. Information about him is readily available in different media platforms and so I am not going to dwell much on that. We all know that he is a politician and legal icon with a flourishing legal career that span over fifty years. He is currently the Principal Partner at Kanu G. Agabi & Associates, a leading law firm in Nigeria. In 1997, he was elevated to the rank of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) in recognition of his contribution to the practice of law in Nigeria. He was a two-time minister of Justice and attorney-general of the Federation under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo government. He was also the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and adviser to the President on Ethics and Good Governance. He is a recipient of many awards among which is the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). He has served on the boards of many corporate entities, committees and government establishments where he brilliantly displayed his skills and administrative ingenuity.

Chief Agabi lives a principle-centered life. In politics, public service and in legal practice, he has always strived to do that which is legally defensible and ethically desirable, as scholars would put it. He is not just a lawyer, he is an activist, a firm believer in the rule of law and an advocate of justice and human dignity. He believes that if activism is not for the uplift of human dignity and justice then it is of no use.

Again, the legal luminary is a man of many parts. He is not just a legal icon: he is a leader, the traits he had acquired from his youth and which had distinguished him from others. As a leader, his focus has always been on the people. No doubt, he believes that leadership is about service to the people. He seems to be a firm believer of servant and ethical leadership.

Undoubtedly, personal achievements, titles and awards are not enough indices of greatness to him. What seems to matter most to him is the impact of his live on others. And that seems to be the reason for his love for advocacy and philanthropy, the things he has done with intense passion. He is extremely generous; giving not to receive applause but giving to those that cannot pay him back and that is what I regard as true philanthropy. In so many ways, he supports the needy and the vulnerable as a way of giving back to the society. He built schools and gives scholarship to indigent students. In addition, he is a mentor per excellence who believes that the youth should be properly guided and adequately equipped to face the challenges of the future. He has mentored many fledging lawyers that have excelled in legal practice.

But, despite his monumental accomplishments, Chief Kanu Agabi wears humility like a cloak of honor. He remains an archetype of a gentleman; he is down-to-earth, no airs, no hang-ups. His towering frame, genial smile and amiable disposition tend to endear him to people. His disposition confirms the saying that great men are always simple. Yet, despite his simplicity, he has the magisterial aura of a priest, the towering height of an athlete and the mien of a teacher and philosopher. When he speaks, he does like a sage; witty, reflective and pithy. His presence is ever awe-inspiring. At 79, he still looks strong and ebullient like a youth; the evidence of a healthy lifestyle, sound ethical values and positive attitude to life. He lives a life of happiness and contentment; a life unencumbered by worries or scandal.

Evidently, Chief Kanu Agabi understands that leadership is essentially about motivation and influence and not about self-glorification. This is clearly demonstrated in his role in the University of Lagos Alumni Association FCT chapter where I encountered him. As the patron of the association, his influence has been catalytic. I was part of the UNILAG Alumni meeting in FCT in its early stage and I knew how it used to be until Chief Agabi stepped in. He provided a permanent place for meetings as well as the sponsoring of entertainment at our monthly meetings. Today the number on the nominal roll is over 250 members from less 30 that it used to be then. The meeting is what everybody is looking forward to every month. Attendance and participation at meetings are warm and robust now. Interestingly, despite his numerous engagements and very busy schedules, the legal chief still finds time to hobnob with the alumni members, many of whom are young enough to be his children, not because the meeting holds in his house but because he feels he should. He did not in any way see the gathering in his residence as a disturbance. Rather, he says it is a privilege and a blessing for him to host the meeting. He sees it as a responsibility. And, we are all inspired by his presence, attributes and attitude.

I have noted elsewhere that most alumni associations in Nigeria are not meeting their corporate social responsibilities because of the lethargic attitude of members. This is because many see alumni association from different angles. Some see it as a place for retirees to kill boredom. Others see it as a place for job-seekers to hunt while some see it as a place to hobnob and network with others. And the commitment of members are of varying degrees. Like most teams, the success and sustenance of alumni associations depend on a very few committed individuals while the rest float on. Those who felt they have arrived and would not want to be pestered by the less fortunate members would keep off. And those who felt that they are still struggling and would not want to be despised by others would also stay away. But when the association is fortunate to have a generous and a committed mentor or sponsor, its fortune will turn around for good. And so it is with the University of Lagos Alumni Association FCT chapter with entry of Chief Kanu Agabi. His presence has been of immense blessing to the association as it is with other fora where he belongs.

Gozie Irogboli

(goziei@yahoo.com)

An economist, banker, a novelist and public policy analyst