Proposals for the federal government to honour and immortalize Late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairmen of National Electoral Commission (NEC), who conducted the June 12, 1993 election dominated an event organised in his honour on Tuesday.
The event, “Celebrating the Legacy of Professor Humphrey Nwobu Nwosu” being part of series of lined up activities before his final interment at his country home, Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State on Friday, 28th March, 2025; was organised by his family and friends at the Yar’Adua Center, Abuja.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN among other speakers, made a comprehensive advocate for the federal government government to honour Late Prof. Nwosu who presided over the most credible, freest, fair election in Nigeria.
He noted that the man who worn the election, Chief MKO Abiola and his Vice, Babagana Kingibe had been respectively been honoured with GCFR and GCON.
According to him, “My request is that he should be honored by Nigeria. The person who worn the election had been given Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), the Vice President had been given GCON. Prof should be given either Commander of the Federal Republic or Commander of Order of Nation. In addition, a national democratic or electoral institute like the Independent National Electoral Commission building should be named after him.
“I also think that an academic institution should be named after him because that was where he left to do the electoral work.”
Dr. Ojukwu who spoke on the family life of Late Prof. Nwosu, further canvassed that all the former Chairmen and National Commissioners who had worked in the electoral body should be honoured for working to shape Nigeria’s democracy.
He said: “I also want to say that, it had been said that nobody who had worked in the electoral management body had ever been honored or recognized in the past, we cannot continue like that as a nation.
“My proposal today is that every single former Chairman of INEC or serving Chairman of INEC and National Commissioners should be given national honours for that service.”
Talking about Prof. Nwosu’s family life, he noted that Prof. Nwosu was a good family man, very close to his wife, children and those who worked with him.
“Prof was a good family man. The night we got Justice Ikpeme’s judgement by 9 o’clock in the night we rushed to Prof’s house virtually weeping. While we were there, the wife was there too. She’s always there to give him all the supports he needed.
“He was very caring and wants the best for those around him. I remember what we used to say when I was at the University of Nigeria Nsukka that the University will pass through you and you’ll pass through the university. When you’re with Prof, he will pass through you and you will pass through him. The Secretary of INEC said that much because at the time we came to Abuja, we were the envy of civil servants in Abuja. We had our quarters.
“Prof would always keep appointment with you. I was either 29 years of age at time, very young man, look at a Professor and Chairman of NEC, Prof attended my wedding. He and his wife came all the way to my village in Mbaise. Prof was my mentor, he passed through me and I passed through him,” he narrated.
Dr. Ojukwu promised to keep the existing relationship with late Prof’s family, saying “My promise to the family is that I will continue to stay with you, I will continue to work with you, I will continue to give you my support in which ever way to your Children and grandchildren. Our bond will never be broken. Prof. rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Those in attendance who also spoke glowingly about Prof. Nwosu include the Chairman of the event, Prof. Attahiru Jega, former INEC Chairman; the Chairman, National Burial Committee, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, former Governor of Imo state; Prof. Jerry Gana; INEC Secretary, Mrs Rose Oriaran-Anthony; Prof. Tony Iredia; Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chimamanda Adichie (both joined virtually); Prof. Okey Ibeanu; Dr. Bukari Bello; among others.
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