By Uche Ndumele, ESQ.
Some Milestones Are Quiet, But Deeply Meaningful.
Every now and then, something happens that makes one pause—not merely to celebrate an achievement, but to reflect on the journey that made it possible.
I recently came across my author record in the eLibrary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, where my work, On State Responsibilities: A Collection of Articles, published in 2021, is catalogued.
For me, this is a deeply humbling moment.
The work represents a part of my continuing engagement with questions of international law, human rights, peace and security, democratic governance, and, more broadly, responsibility in the international community.
But beyond the work itself, seeing it catalogued in the library of a continental human rights court has reminded me of something I have always believed: no intellectual journey is truly solitary.
I have always regarded myself as a thinker. Interestingly, my academic journey did not begin with a university degree. It began much earlier, at the third secondary school I attended, where some of my teachers would tell me words to the effect of, “Uche, you are too good to be in this school.”
At the time, I could not have fully appreciated what those words meant. Looking back, however, I recognise them as some of the earliest affirmations of an intellectual capacity that would later become central to my life.
People such as my uncle, Chima Nwana, and my dear late Ifeoma Akueche (Ify) were among those who pushed and encouraged me in those formative years.
Ify, I miss you.
Then came my uncle, Bestman O. Umezurike (Dozy).
Meeting Dozy again after a long while changed something in me. What had been an emerging interest became a hot pursuit. He challenged me, pushed me and, quite literally, brought out the best in me. Some people do not merely encourage your potential; they help you discover the extent of it. Dozy was one of those people for me.
At Babcock University, that intellectual journey took on a new dimension. I encountered teachers and scholars whose influence remains part of my academic DNA, including Dr. Oluseyi Apampa, Prof. D. Odunaike, Dr. Emejuru, Prof. Isaac Agbade, the late Prof. Z.A.C. Olomojobi, and, most especially, Prof. M.O. Alabi.
Prof. Alabi had a particularly profound influence on me. He spurred my interest in understanding the workings of the international community and helped shape the direction of the intellectual questions that continue to occupy me today.
My experience at the ECOWAS Commission (DPK&RS) further expanded that horizon. There, I had the privilege of encountering people such as Maj Gen G. Okae, Brig Gen A.J. Bello and others whose experience and perspectives exposed me to the practical dimensions of regional peace, security and international affairs.
At the University of Buckingham, where I obtained my LLB and LLM with a specialisation in International Law, the journey became even more focused. I remain grateful to the scholars who contributed to that stage of my development, including Dr. Francis Grimal, who was my School Tutor, lecturer in Public International Law and Law of War, and later my supervisor; Prof. Jae Sunderam, particularly for his contribution to my specialisation; Prof. Susan Maria Edwards; and many others.
My experience at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) introduced me to another extraordinary community of scholars and practitioners. The intellectual exchanges and professional interactions I had there with people including Prof. O.B.C. Nwolise, Maj Gen B.A. Tsoho, Brig Gen S. Inuwa, Brig Gen O.L. Olokor, Col. T. Agbo, Maj Gen J.G.S. Hamakim, Col. Achodo, Brig Gen F. Eze and others enriched my understanding of the relationship between scholarship, national security and the international environment.
And then there are my course mates.
To my colleagues at Babcock University—particularly our section that came up with the concept of “Can’t Develop Nations”—and to my course mates at the University of Buckingham during my LLB and LLM, many of you contributed to this journey in ways you may never fully realise.
The conversations, debates, disagreements, friendships, questions and shared experiences all played their part.
Una do well o!
I must also acknowledge Ekanem Okon.
Her willingness to challenge my thoughts and criticise my ideas has, in its own way, helped me bring out the best in myself. I have learned that intellectual growth does not come only from people who agree with us or praise our ideas. Sometimes, the person who asks the uncomfortable question, challenges the argument or tells you that your reasoning needs another look is making an equally valuable contribution.
I am grateful for all of you.
To my teachers, professors, mentors, colleagues, course mates, friends and family; to those who encouraged me; to those who challenged me; to those who opened doors; and to those who simply believed that the work was worth pursuing—thank you.
Every academic journey is built, in one way or another, on the contributions of others.
So, while this achievement carries my name, it certainly does not belong to me alone.
Seeing my work represented in the eLibrary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is therefore not simply a moment of personal satisfaction. It is a reminder of where the journey began, of the many people who helped shape it, and of the responsibility that comes with continuing to think, write, question and contribute.
I remain deeply grateful.
The journey continues.
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights eLibrary
https://elibrary.african-court.org/Author/Home?author=%22Ndumele%2C+Uche+Young+S.%22
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