Celebrating Chido Onumah at 60: A Life of Integrity and Truth

Today, we celebrate Chido Onumah as he reaches the milestone of 60 years. His life serves as a reminder of the saying ‘too good to be true,’ which he thoroughly defies through his steadfast nature that is both admirable and genuine.

Dr. Ike Okota, a confidant, once remarked about Chido in the office, stating, “If you cannot work with Chido, then take a look at yourself because you are the problem.” On his 55th birthday, I noted that although he might not wear his faith on his sleeve, his character reflects virtues that could make a saint proud — he is kind, humble, honest, and content with little — much to the dismay of any religious zealot.

Some individuals enter our lives, and we wish they hadn’t, while others make us wonder how we had lived without them. Dr. Chido Onumah definitely belongs to the latter group. He is one of those exceptional people who connect with you upon first meeting and leave you wishing you had known him sooner.

Having followed his work through his weekly column in The PUNCH for years, I finally met Chido in person in 2015 in Abuja. Selected for a national anti- corruption initiative, I was part of a team that included him as a vital member. Contrary to the aggressive and hurried persona his writings suggest, the man I encountered was calm, collected, and remarkably gentle.

Chido's soft-spoken nature stood out to me immediately. He chooses his words carefully, avoiding the waste of language, and displays a patience that is uncommon. He listens intensely, allowing others to finish their arguments regardless of how illogical they may seem. This ability to genuinely hear others, without interruption, is a rare trait found in many public thinkers and activists.

Our initial meeting laid the groundwork for a bond that transcends mere friendship; it is akin to brotherhood. Ever since that first encounter, we have communicated almost daily. As the Igbo often say about lasting relationships, one party generally maintains the connection. Chido is that key figure. If you don’t reach out, he will. Forget about him, and he will remember you. Regardless of age differences, he always finds the time to connect.

Having Chido as a friend means much more than companionship; he is a confidant, advisor, and dependable ally. His involvement does not just end with the friendship; he is someone who genuinely cares for your children, taking an active interest in their education and overall well-being. Few friends listen to your family struggles or personal difficulties without diminishing your experience. Chido not only listens but also provides constructive engagement, often drawing on his extensive network for viable solutions, starting with the right information. He embodies the Igbo saying, “Onye nwere madu ka onye nwere ego,” which translates to ‘he who has people is richer than he who has money.’

In his professional life, Chido is highly proficient in communication and information management. Although he initially studied Philosophy at the University of Calabar, he has emerged as one of the leading communications experts of his generation. Over a career spanning more than thirty years, he has engaged in journalism across three continents: Nigeria, Ghana, the United States, and India. His dedication to lifelong learning led him to earn a doctorate in Communications from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Concerned about the misrepresentation and underreporting of the South-East, Chido co-founded the Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI) in March 2022, publishers of Ikengaonline. This platform has evolved into a vital accountability-focused online news outlet in the region. Through Ikenga, he and his colleagues have fortified journalism in the South-East by emphasizing ethical standards, investigative thoroughness, and mentoring for aspiring reporters.

Chido has made his mark as a committed civil leader, quietly championing several causes. His activism commenced during his time at the University of Calabar and in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), motivated by radical, pro-democracy ideals. He was deeply engaged in the opposition against military dictatorship, especially during the aftermath of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections.

Among the courageous group of journalists who defied the Abacha regime at great personal peril, Chido worked as a reporter with The News and Tempo magazines, under the auspices of Bayo Onanuga. This tumultuous period tested the resolve of many in the media, yet Chido remained steadfast.

He never turned his back on journalism but shifted focus towards media and information literacy to elevate the role of journalism in encouraging accountability. He co-founded the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) and acts as its coordinator. Through AFRICMIL and the initiative Corruption Anonymous (CORA), he has positioned himself as a prominent advocate for whistleblower protection in Nigeria.

Despite Nigeria implementing a Whistleblower Policy almost a decade ago, Chido and his team have continually advocated for comprehensive federal legislation providing legal safeguards for whistleblowers. Collaborating with the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) and other civil society organizations, they have pursued stronger institutional protections for whistleblowers. His unwavering dedication has received international accolades, leading to his appointment as Chair of the Board of the Whistleblowing International Network (WIN).

With the establishment of democracy in 1999, Chido worked alongside President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as one of its founding staff members. Despite his critical stance towards government, he accepted the chance to contribute with his expertise in institution-building.

As Personal Assistant to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was then the EFCC chairman, Chido provided essential executive support during the Commission's formative stages. This was crucial during a time when the agency struggled with staffing and infrastructure issues, and Chido played a significant role in shaping its communications and policy direction. This time is often viewed as the EFCC’s peak period, marked by fervor and patriotic commitment.

Apart from activism, Chido is also an engaged public intellectual. He is a voracious reader and rigorous researcher, committed to exploring ideas critically and documenting facts scrupulously. His published works include influential titles such as We Are All Biafrans, Time to Reclaim Nigeria, Nigeria is Negotiable, Remaking Nigeria: Sixty Years, Sixty Voices, and Testimony to Courage: Essays in Honour of Dapo Olorunyomi (co-edited with Frederick Adetiba).

Chido’s capacity for literary accomplishments, given his demanding career, is astounding. His organizational skills are equally admirable; he meticulously documents everything. Unlike many who rely on memory, Chido keeps a record of insights while reading, watching documentaries, or attending lectures. He has made it known that this practice greatly benefits his writing. Spending a day observing his work habits is more insightful than reading volumes on the ‘habits of successful individuals.’

One of the most admirable facets of Chido’s character is his commitment to family. For an Igbo man, family encompasses a network of relations and obligations beyond the immediate household. Chido takes these responsibilities seriously. I have witnessed how he deftly balances professional engagements, activism, and writing, all while cherishing time with his family.

Geographical distances and time zones do not hinder him. From Nigeria, he keeps a keen eye on his children overseas, aiding them with their studies daily. Having lost his mother at a young age, he quickly took on responsibilities for his younger siblings — a connection that remains strong.

His commitment to his elderly father is equally genuine. Since our acquaintance began, he has never failed to visit and commemorate his father's birthday annually. That is the true essence of Chido.

When Chido introduced me to his wife, I teasingly suggested she should take care of my brother. She inquired why this sentiment was widespread and who would then look after her. I assured her with a smile that she was in the right hands, as caring for others comes naturally to Chido.

The remarkable realization about Chido is how he embodies goodness and authenticity simultaneously. In the office, Dr. Ike Okota once noted, “If you cannot work with Chido, then look at yourself because you are the problem.” On his 55th birthday, I emphasized that while he may not be overtly religious, his existence is the very definition of what would make a saint proud — possessing qualities of kindness, humility, honesty, and modest needs — a challenging feat for any evangelist.

With a bit of humor, I once told him that if I were a woman and he proposed, I would have to refuse. Stunned, he asked why. I told him it was simply because he is too good. Ultimately, as he turns 60, Chido's journey proves the oft- repeated phrase, 'too good to be true' while affirming, 'too good, yet so true.'

Happy Birthday, my brother, Chido!