Lessons From The Bwari Law School: The Value of Principled Engagement (Part 1), by Osita Chidoka

On the day I registered for the law school, two names above mine on the list was Senator Dino Melaye. We saw later in the day as we went from one office to the other to conclude the registration. As we resumed lecture the day after, Senator Dino and I sat beside each other without prior planning. Our engagement and friendship grew as we exchanged notes, bought books and shared insights daily.

Dino and I had known each other since about 2005 and more closely since 2007 when he was my brother’s colleague in the House of Representatives. We were both key members of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign in 2023. So, we know ourselves reasonably well.

The main issue. In 2023, I was made the panel chairman to conduct the PDP primaries for the National Assembly in Kogi State, and Dino, TJ Yusuf and my good friend Hon Aro were all contestants for the Senatorial seat of Kogi West. I gave all aspirants equal access and agreed on the ground rules.

After the primaries, there was a tie between Dino and TJ Yusuf. Pressure came from all over the country to “help” one candidate one way or the other. I ignored. I got the candidates to agree on the day of the primaries. I printed and signed new ballot papers and set the ball for the rerun between them. At the end of the exercise, TJ Yusuf won, and Dino lost.

None of the candidates in all the senatorial zones, bar one in Kogi Central, protested the results. The process was open, transparent and fair. And here at Law School, we sat beside each other freely and with no malice. The effect of principled engagement.

At law school, I came to know another Dino beyond the singing and flashy ones I saw on social media. He was as bold as he was thoughtful. He had a public carefree image that belies his deep organisational skill.

The Dino I came to know at Law School proved what I had always known: success is underpinned by rigour and hard work, no matter the field. He tried to get me the slides if I was not in class. We took private lessons  in his room, and ate in my room without inhibition.

As the Chairman of the Elders Council of the 2024 set the projects he embarked on, as part of our community development effort, were unprecedented. I found Dino’s meticulous adherence to time and commitments impressive.

Dino’s zest for life and support for the needy students were infectious. Beyond physical projects he organised the elders to provide funding for students interested in acquiring cerifications as arbitrators but could not afford it.

I found him remarkable, dependable, astute and intelligent.

Now, think of it: had I collected money, buckled under pressure or malevolently acted unfairly to deny him victory to be hailed as a “good politician” capable of “delivering”? What would have been our relationship?

In Nigeria, while shamelessness and stealing is a “virtue” for perceived successful politicians, I have elected and remain resolute that I will act with conscience, treat people with fairness and act in a manner that my classmates in Singapore or the US will not wonder what is wrong with the black man.

At the end of your career, Governor, Minister, President, CEO, Manager or just a boss and you cannot walk the streets freely and look at people who you dealt with in your rise with pride or confidence that you discharged your duty with integrity and fairness, then you have failed.

In my view, finding ourselves (Dino and I) together in a small space for close to a year was a remarkable lesson on principled engagement. I took the lesson.

Chief Osita Chidoka is a former Minister of Aviation and Road Safety Boss