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Prof. Udenta: A Life of Scholarship, Dissent and Activism
By Kingsley Chimobi
The name and person of Professor Udenta O. Udenta needs no introduction as it reverberates having carved a niche for himself as one of Africa’s leading scholars.
His bulky masculine body seems in tandem with with the huge intellectual depth and deposit he is endowed with. While he easily intimidates with this rare feature of his, perhaps his most poignant asset is his intellectual prowess. One, many say is rare. A leading scholar, activist and public intellectual in Africa, Udenta is the author of over 21 books, including several groundbreaking works on African literature and culture.
The highly cerebral writer has also served in a number of important public roles, including as a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and as a consultant to the World Bank, DFID, UNDP, EU Nigeria Mission, USAID, International Republican Institute (IRI), National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), Global Rights, Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), British Foreign Office Parliamentary Group, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and many others.
Born in Mgbowo, Enugu State, Nigeria, in 1963, Prof Udenta attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in African studies. He then went on to earn a PhD in comparative literature from the University of Pittsburgh.
After completing his PhD, Professor Udenta returned to Nigeria and joined the faculty of Abia State University. He quickly became a leading figure in the field of African literature as his work was widely acclaimed. In 1993, he published his groundbreaking book, “Revolutionary Aesthetics and the African Literary Process.” This book argued that African literature should be seen as a form of political and social activism, and it had a major impact on the development of African literary studies.
Professor Udenta’s work has always been characterized by its commitment to social justice and its willingness to challenge authority. In 1998, he was forced to leave his academic career due to his political activism. He had been a vocal critic of the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha and thus was arrested and detained several times. After Abacha’s death in 1998, Professor Udenta was released from prison and went on to play a leading role in the transition to democracy in Nigeria. He then became the pioneer national secretary of the now defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).
Characterized by its rigor, Udenta’s scholarship is known for its originality, and commitment to social justice. His work has made a significant contribution to our understanding of African literature and culture, and it has helped to shape the course of African history.
This is just as his activism, has been equally important. He has been a fearless advocate for democracy and human rights in Nigeria and played a key role in the fight against corruption and impunity. His work has helped to make Nigeria a more just and equitable society.
In the years since, Professor Udenta has continued to be a leading voice in African literature and public life. He has published several more books and served in a number of important public roles. He is currently the Director General of the African Writers Institute, and he is a Distinguished Fellow at the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought. Professor Udenta has been a tireless advocate for democracy and human rights. He is a true inspiration to us all.
In commemoration of his sixtieth birthday, a national dialogue with the theme: “Location of Intellection and Praxis in Human Subjectivity-The Nigerian Dilemma” is being organised in his honour at the Nigerian Airforce Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja tomorrow in Abuja. This will be followed by the public presentation of his 21 books to mark the 60th birthday celebration events.
Professor Udenta is a true Renaissance . He is a scholar, an activist, a public servant, and a gifted communicator. He is a force for good works and remains an inspiration to this and the coming genration. We can only wish him well
Happy 60th birthday, Professor Udenta!
Chimobi, a mentee of Prof Udenta, wrote in from Abuja.
A group of concerned citizens has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to sabotage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms on local refineries.
The group, Concerned Nigerians led by its National Coordinator Obinna Francis, claims to have uncovered a sinister plot to stop the supply of crude oil to domestic refineries.
According to Francis, the plot is being orchestrated by a cabal within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in collaboration with importers of fake petrol.
The group alleges that this cabal is seeking to undermine the government’s economic reforms, which have led to a significant reduction in fuel prices and a subsequent decrease in the cost of food items.
The concerned citizens believe that the plot is driven by a desire to return Nigeria to the era of petrol importation and the reintroduction of subsidies.
They argue that cutting off crude oil supply to domestic refineries would create a shortage of refined products, forcing the country to import fuel.
The group claims that the cabal has been manipulating officials in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to justify the planned refusal to supply crude oil to local refineries.
They also allege that the cabal has the support of individuals seeking regime change, who hope to capitalize on public anger and protests to bring down the government.
Francis added: “The members of the cabal, working through certain officials of NNPCL, have been manipulating their colleagues in the NUPRC, which has responsibility for overseeing the supply of crude oil to refineries in Nigeria.
“Their plot includes sabotaging exploration and distribution infrastructure to justify the planned refusal to cut off crude supplies. This unholy alliance has the support of individuals who have been angling for a regime change.
“Our suspicion is that while the NNPCL/NUPRC cabal pursue the monetary gains of truncating the steady supply of refined products, their political wing anticipates that a disruption in refining capacity would lead to petrol scarcity, drive fuel prices up and hike food prices with the attendant anger against the government of the day.
“They desire to weaponize such public anger into anti-government protests that would bring the administration down. We are concerned that if not stopped, this plot will undo all the gains that have been made in the implementation of economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and doom us all.
“We are further concerned that such a plot at this critical time of our economic evolution would plunge the country into an abyss from which it may never resurface.”
The concerned citizens are calling on President Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene and prevent the plot from being executed. They praised the president’s economic reforms, which have driven Nigeria towards energy sustainability and revived the oil industry.
The group warned that if the plot is not stopped, it would undo all the gains made by the government and plunge the country into economic chaos.
They urged the president to ensure that no one in NNPCL, NUPRC, or any other connected agency undermines the achievements recorded in the sector.
Actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has become a hot topic online after a video surfaced showing his emotional reaction on Monday, shortly after Mojisola Meranda resigned as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Earlier, SPEARNEWS reported that Ms Meranda announced her resignation during a plenary session.
Following her resignation, the impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was reinstated to his former position.
In a viral video, Mr Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the Assembly, was emotional over Ms Meranda’s resignation.
Dressed in a black native outfit, the 51-year-old attempted to deliver a farewell speech but was overcome with emotion and struggled to hold back tears.
At one point in the viral video, he found it difficult to continue speaking and requested that another lawmaker take the floor while he composed himself.
“Madam Speaker, can you allow others to speak first?” he asked.
Ms Meranda responded, “Have your seat,” prompting him to sit down, covering his face with one hand as he wiped away tears.
Seyi Lawal, an All Progressives Congress (APC) representative from Ikeja Constituency 1, was granted permission to speak in place of Mr Elliot, who has served in the House since April 2015.
Kano State government has made arrangements to feed 91,000 people in 91 designated centres during the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Programme.
Flagging off the feeding programme in m Fagge Local Government Area on Sunday evening, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the programme, Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam, said that that the initiative would run for 27 days.
He said that the programme was aimed at supporting vulnerable residents and would provide daily iftar meals to fasting Muslims, alleviating the challenges faced during Ramadan.
“Since the assumption of office, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, has institutionalised this initiative to support vulnerable residents by providing daily iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The programme, which is part of the state’s annual humanitarian efforts, aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by fasting Muslims during Ramadan.
“Recognising the needs of the state’s large population of Ramadan observers, the Kano State Government remains committed to ensuring that relief reaches those in need,” he explained.
Abdulsalam expressed satisfaction with the seamless commencement of the initiative.
He further urged the catering companies involved to ensure prompt and efficient delivery of meals to all feeding centers, in order to achieve the programme’s objectives.
Abdulsalam was accompanied by key officials, including the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, as well as his counterpart in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tijjani Auwal. (NAN)