Headline

2023 Elections: Buhari Battles Violent Governors

Published

2 years ago

December 3, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It is no longer news that most state governors have become an impediment to smooth electioneering in their various states as they have blatantly denied opposition the free access to campaign for votes. While most of them are clandestinely perpetrating the restrictions, some are brazenly carrying out the policy of restriction with impunity.

Consequently, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has read the riot act against any form of violence or use of thugs and thuggery as the campaigns, which kicked off across the country on September 28, 2022 progress. But much as the riot act sustains, some governors have continued to perpetrate themselves as lord of the manor, not heeding to the calls of the Federal government or give obedience to the Peace Accord signed by the party leaders on September 29, 2022 under the supervision of former Head of State and Chairman, Peace Committee, Abdulsalam Abubakar.

Recall that barely two weeks after the signing of the Peace Accord in Abuja, the presidential campaign train of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was attacked by hoodlums in Kaduna, Kaduna State in total disregard to the accord..

Senator Shehu Sani, a former representative of Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly, who brought this to immediate attention, said the thugs invaded the rally venue with “swords and machetes”.

The attack was later confirmed by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on his Twitter page, saying. “I have just received emergency reports of attacks on @OfficialPDPNig supporters by thugs sponsored to scuttle the ongoing PDP campaign rally in Kaduna State. This is undemocratic and against the Peace Accord all parties signed up for just a few weeks ago.

“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call on all parties to call their supporters and members to order and to ensure that campaigns, just as with the elections themselves, are kept free, fair and safe,” Atiku, who has so far managed to rein him his supporters said.

Shortly after, supporters of the PDP in Zamfara State were attacked by thugs allegedly recruited by the ruling APC in the state, though the party, in their rebuttal, claimed that it was the opposition party that attacked its members.

The Zamfara Police command said one person was killed, while 18 others sustained injuries following a clash by two youth groups in the state suspected to be members of the PDP and APC.

Trouble started when the Governor Bello Matawalle-led administration denied the PDP access to campaign in the state, claiming that it had placed a ban on political campaign activities in the state, through an Executive Order on the basis of insecurity. It added that the ban was to forestall attacks by bandits hiding under political campaigns to cause mayhem.

The PDP said no Executive Order can override the Constitution of the country where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) derived its powers to lift ban on electioneering. The action of Zamfara State government was a replication of the Kaduna State government, which toed the same line.

It is also believed that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who had been at loggerheads with his party, the PDP, has also restricted campaigns of the PDP and other opposition parties in the state. Wike had made it clear that it is only those he allow to campaign that will campaign, making a veiled reference to his party presidential candidate, Atiku.

On November 9, 2022, barely three weeks after the Kaduna attack of October 17, another set hoodlums suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress attacked supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubarkar, during another campaign in Maiduguri, Borno, the home state of the APC vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima

It was reported that about 74 persons were injured and hospitalised while a good number of vehicles were vandalised. This attack was followed by the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ogun State, critical election materials including over 65,000 uncollected PVCs were destroyed in the fire.

The attacks got the Federal Government into action as Buhari’s National Security Adviser NSA, Babagana Monguno, declared that rogues, in whatever guise and position, who plan to disrupt the forthcoming elections will be dealt with.

During an emergency security meeting organised by INEC, with members of the inter-agency consultative committee on election security, Munguno lamented that in just one month at least 52 cases of electoral violence across 22 states in the country had been reported, saying the situation was a bad signal that must be dealt with decisively.

He said: “We are all aware of the fact that the president, as far as he is concerned, is committed to upholding and safeguarding democracy. This is what the people want.

“The president has also given his directive through me to all the operational intelligence and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the 2023 elections are held in an atmosphere void of any rancour.

“The president is extremely pleased with the results of the elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun and he wants a repeat of such performance – a manifestation of the people’s will triumphing over any obstacle that might dismantle the democracy we’re trying to protect.

“Now, I want to assure you that security agencies have been given clear-cut instructions to deal with any situation in which any rogue organisation or institution decides to embark on what we consider to be a fundamentally criminal undertaking.

“Any political party, including the party of the president, that wants to have a hand in violence, will face the consequences.

“Now, for those people who control these groups that have a tendency for unleashing violence, those people who have gangsters working for them, I want to send a very clear categorical and unequivocal warning, regardless of any party including the party of the president. For as long as you decide to scatter the election process, the law enforcement agencies will be uninhibited and equally visit you with the consequences of whatever actions you take.

“Those people who have a history of organising and controlling groups, please re-assess, re-evaluate. Hold your people and advise them that as long as they behave in a manner that suggests non-compliance with the election laws, they will be held accountable.

“Therefore, it is important to call the people under your control, those thugs, those bloodthirsty-trigger-happy, straining-at-the-leash, foaming-at-the-mouth, desperate to harm the election process — they will be brought to law. Already, intelligence agencies have been tracking these people; this I can guarantee you.

“Have a nice, quiet fireside chat with them and tell them to lay down whatever plans they have because whoever wins in any state, whichever party wins, has won. This is the intention of the president of this country. There will be no excuse whatsoever.

“So, if you think you can stretch security agencies, I think you’re making a mistake. You will be brought to book. If you think we have a history of not following through with whatever instructions given to us, I think this time you will be in for a real shocker.”

But like a heedless warning, the attacks persisted culminating in a fracas erupted in Gombe Stae, again as Atiku embarked on a presidential campaign. It was reported that no fewer than three persons sustained varying degrees of injury in the clash, which involved a local gang, Kalare Boys, and supporters of Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Three vehicles, a bus, a car and one Keke NAPEP, were reportedly damaged as they were ambushed along Pantami Stadium Road in the state.

Eyewitness account said that the Kalare boys, who were armed with cutlasses, swords, clubs and other weapons, pounced on innocent party supporters, who were on their way to their respective houses.

Again, the NSA rose to the occasion, warning politicians against the use of thugs to cause violence during the 2023 general elections.

This second phase of warning was issued at a ministerial media briefing organised by the presidential communications team at the State House in Abuja. He said promoters of violence during campaign rallies would face the full wrath of the law, adding that security operatives had been directed to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections.

“One thing I can assure you is, the president has given clear directives. The people’s will must prevail. What happened in Anambra or Osun and Ekiti is what we want to happen all over the country.

“Let the people choose their leaders. Whoever they want, then later, they can decide. But in the process of electing who governs them, we must be mindful of the fact that there are people who are hell-bent on forcing to do their bidding.

“It’s not even a function of numbers or a function of money. It’s a big problem. It’s a problem that’s also linked with the complexity of society because if you are really who you are, you don’t need to hire thugs.

“If you cannot restrain your thugs, the government will do that for you. And you will be called on the carpet and you will answer questions. We have a lot of politicians, and I’m not being specific about any politician or party. This virus has to be contained.

“I have given a clear warning that any politician who engages in any unpalatable activity – the use of thugs, and I know we have a lot of political thugs, straining at the leash, foaming at the mouth, desperate to bite and taste blood – we are going to apply everything within the powers of the government,” Munguno reeled out.

The NSA did not minced words in warning state governors using thugs to prevent opposition parties from mounting campaign materials in their domains that security agencies would soon descend on them. He also cautioned governors who present spurious excuses to deny opposition spaces for campaign. It is note worthy that states like Zamfara, Ebonyi, Rivers, Abia, Kaduna, Enugu and many more have at one time or another denied the opposition space for campaign, and accused of destroying campaign billboards and other materials.

Monguno, in his reaction on reports of state governors implementing policies that prevent the presence of opposition campaign materials in their states, described such governors as suffering from inferiority complex.

Sadly across the country, gathering of some opposition parties had been attacked by miscreants, said to be working for the state governments, especially in Rivers State, and in Kaduna, where a woman leader of the Labour Party (LP), Mrs. Victoria Chintex, was brutally murdered in her home by suspected assassins. Also, bill boards and campaign materials of opposition parties have been destroyed.

“So, those elements, who think they can deny other people the air to breathe, the political air to breathe, and reach out to the local community, they have another thing coming. These political elements should call the thugs, their capo regimes to order,” the NSA added.

There has also been skirmishes of attacks against opposition. The Labour Party political meeting has been attacked in Aninri, Awgu, Oji River, and Igboeze North local government areas all in Enugu State by niscreants believed to be political thugs. There were also incidents at Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, in the Igbo-Eze North local government area of state.

It is still not known what will become the election proper if the ‘violent’ governors continue this way. This is taking into cognizance what happened in Lagos State in 2019 when the ruling APC threatened and denied non indigenes and sympathizers of opposition parties from voting in the election. They disruption ongoing elections, and publicly burnt ballot papers and boxes in full glare of the daylight, and till date, no one has been brought to book.

“By the grace of Almighty, they (elections) will take place in an atmosphere bereft of intimidation and violence. We’ll try as much as possible to maintain that,” Munguno promised.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, speaking through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Dandaura Mustapha, on his part said no governor would be allowed to prevent opposition political parties from holding rallies in their states.

“Some try to manipulate the campaigns. Some even sponsor thugs to pursue the opposition, remove their billboards, remove their posters and destroy their offices. We are aware and we have full reports.

“Based on this, the IG has categorically directed all commissioners of police that on no account should any serving or sitting governor stop other political parties from conducting their campaigns in the nooks and crannies of their states.”

With the elections approaching with full speed, stakeholders are watching to see how much Buhari can subdue the recalcitrance of the violent governors.

Headline

Who Will Rescue Nigeria from Political Bandits?

Published

4 days ago

October 6, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Oxford Dictionary defines a bandit as a robber or outlaw belonging to a gang and typically operating in an isolated or lawless area. In a layman’s language, a bandit is a basically a robber, most of the times, heavily.

In many professional sectors, bandits have arisen in form of leaders, as a result of their high handedness, disrespect for constituted authorities, greed for power and disregards for humanity. Among the bandits of the Nigerian society are the political bandits. They are members of diverse political parties spread across the judiciary, legislature, executive, business environment and more. The banditry has created dissension across boards, affecting the main and opposition political parties, the Nigerian economy, the judiciary with the infamous conflicting judicial pronouncements and judgments, creating a typical musical staccato.

As a result, while the country battles the known bandits of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger among others, the people are unfortunately putting up with the rascality of the new kind of banditry, which shares public space with the populace, albeit politicians and public office holders. But while the shenanigans persist, the government and people keep a blind eye, pretending that all is well.

“It’s no longer news that the issues prevailing in the country today vis a vis political crisis, judicial rascality and the total economic downturn ravaging the nation, unleashing hunger among the populace is a direct invention of the government of the day.

“Firstly, to decimate the opposition parties so as to create a leeway for a smooth return to power in 2027 as well as impoverish the people, make them hopeless so as to feed them crumbs without questions. Of course, the constant phoney distribution of palliatives is a consequence of the self-made affliction,” an analyst told The Boss.

It would be recalled that the nation has experienced more than a far share of democratic brigandry and political banditry since the May 29, 2023 inauguration day pronouncement of ‘subsidy is gone’ by President Bola Tinubu. Apart from the economy hitting the rocks since then, the opposition parties have continually remained on each other’s neck in what political analysts have described as a deliberate ploy of the government in power to instigated crises across board, and propel the country towards a one party state under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leadership tussle has remained endemic, creating factions between those loyal to the Acting Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum and the the rest of the members, with an allegation that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has a superlative control of the leadership; a situation that has made it absolutely difficult for the opposition party to successfully play its opposition role.

“No matter what anybody says, it’s obvious that Wike is working for the APC, and at the same time maintains a strangle hold on the PDP for the very wrong reasons. It’s completely difficult for the PDP leadership as presently constituted to speak against the APC or even Wike himself. It is not by accident that Senator Dino Melaye, a vocal chieftain of the party, described it as a ‘dead party’. You know that New Nigeria’s People’s Party’s Rabiu Kwankwaso has echoed that line of thought,” a PDP stakeholder, who prefers anonymity said.

The crisis of leadership has also divided the Governors Forum under Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, causing the party to abandon Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, in his battles for the state structure against Wike.

While Bala Mohammed had earlier indicated that the forum was considering the return of the national chairmanship to the North-Central, describing the current leadership arrangement in the North-East as unconstitutional, a decision that was supported by Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke.

“My brother from the North-East is currently acting as the national chairman, which is a constitutional anomaly. According to our Constitution, any vacancy in a leadership position should be filled by the region from which it was originally created,” Bala said on Tuesday.

The Bauchi State governor explained that the North-Central region had been expecting the position and hinted that the forum was working with the chairman, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the broader party structure to return the chairmanship to the North-Central.

“We have discussed the issue and will work to ensure that the North-Central is given the opportunity to assume this responsibility,” he stated.

However, Governor Fintiri of Adamawa, in a sharp contrast to Bala’s stance, declared his strong support for Damagum’s leadership.

Fintiri noted that the North-East zone, which includes Bauchi, supports Damagum remaining as acting national chairman.

He referenced a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that restrains the NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Committee (NEC), PDP, INEC, and any affiliated bodies from removing, replacing, or nominating a new chairman outside of Damagum.

“The court’s ruling is clear, and we must respect it for the sake of our party and democracy,” Fintiri stated in a statement earlier issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou.

The Adamawa governor further praised Damagum’s leadership for rebuilding public confidence in the PDP following the party’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election, and he endorsed him to complete the tenure of the former chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, a situation many members of the party disagree with.

Fintiri also emphasised that the North-East, having delivered strong results for the PDP in the 2023 elections, deserves the national chairmanship more than other regions. The zone includes Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states, and Fintiri argued that their performance in the polls strengthens their claim to the chairmanship.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also declared his full support for the NWC under Damagum’s leadership, underscoring the growing division within the PDP Governors’ Forum over the party’s leadership crisis.

Makinde noted that, while internal disagreements are inevitable in any political party, the focus should remain on unity as the party prepares for critical elections.

The party also agreed to support Fubara in Rivers, resolving to hand over party structure to him against Wike’s quest to hold to the structure. But in response, Wike threatened to step fire in the states of the PDP Governors, who took the decision. But while Mohammed called his bluff, Makinde pleaded to be exempted, acknowledging alleged Wike’s superiority.

The dissension that has continued led to the party’s loss of the Edo State governorship election. They claimed it was rigged by the APC.

Demagum continues to argue that the party’s rules allow for some flexibility in leadership positions and pointed out that the deputy chairman from the North could naturally assume the chairmanship if it were vacated.

Also in the Labour Party, leadership crisis has continued to polarize the party, creating a faction supposedly chaired by deposed Chairman, Julius Abure, and another by the new caretaker Chairman, Esther Nenadi. The party’s crisis also resulted in the dismal performance of their candidate, Olumide Akpata, in the just concluded Edo State governorship election on September 20.

The political rascality has further transcended to the judiciary, where what appears to be judgment for the highest bidder, is in vogue.

This situation has been witnessed in Rivers State, where the several court judgments continue to flow from several courts in favour of anyone, who applies for it.

On September 30, the court barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the elections.

The judge, Peter Lifu, cited RSIEC’s non-compliance with its 2018 law concerning the voter register as a reason for the court’s decision to halt the elections

Many lawyers and judicial stakeholders have expressed their disagreement with the court order and stressed the importance of judicial independence.

They argued that the case underscored the unconstitutionality and undemocratic nature of caretaker committees managing local governments.

A lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, noted as follows:

“Section 1 of the 1999 Constitution makes the constitution supreme and binding on all persons and authorities, including Nigerian courts.

“Section 287(1) further stipulates that decisions of the Supreme Court must be enforced across Nigeria by all persons and courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court.

“Judgments of the Supreme Court, whether rightly or wrongly decided, cannot be questioned or ignored by any courts or individuals in Nigeria; they can only be criticised.”

Also toeing the line of political banditry in the nation is the recklessness that has been exhibited by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The body has been accused of also giving electoral victory to whomever expresses monetary and influential concern, especially the government of the day. The situation was further brought to light with the handling of the Edo State governorship election.

The situation of almost complete lawlessness that has pervaded the length and breadth of the nation’s political and economic sectors, have reduced the society to enclave enslaved by a group of individuals, who do not wish corporate existence, but selfish fulfillment of individual agenda.

In Rivers State, Governor Fubara appears to have called the bluff of the Bola Tinubu-led APC, the camp of Wike and all, who were bent on undermining his administration, but the question still stand, who will rescue Nigeria from political bandits as the situation is far from over.

Headline

Glo Splashes Millions of Naira on Partners at Luxurious Event in Lagos

Published

5 days ago

October 5, 2024

Eric

Globacom, Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital solutions services provider, on Thursday treated its business partners across the country to a luxurious ceremony in Lagos. The event was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.

At the event, Globacom honoured its top-performing partners that fulfilled all regional and national deliverable requirements with millions of naira in recognition of their outstanding work.

A total number of 71 partners were rewarded in two broad categories, with the winners receiving millions of naira in cash prizes. Category 1 comprised 22 Activation Award winners and 33 Divisional Recharge winners.

In Category 2, 16 partners were rewarded for outstanding performance at the national level. They included partners who performed excellently in Sponsored Data and Activation and those who won national awards in the Recharge category.

The event was held to “honour not just individual successes, but the collaborative spirit that drives innovation and growth”, according to a statement from Globacom. It added that each of the partners “continues to play crucial roles in Globacom’s mission to empower people and businesses, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in telecommunications”.

Globacom shared with them its current and future projections to grow the company and maintain a win-win partnership with the business partners and promised to constantly take their interest and that of other stakeholders into account in all of its plans and projections.

“We are excited about the future, of our continued partnership in serving our customers, fulfilling their needs and helping them achieve their ambitions. We count on you all to be by our side all the way”, the company reiterated to the business partners.

Globacom, which recently clocked 21st, noted that it has grown from being a telecommunications service provider to becoming a Digital and Technology Company, leading the drive into Nigeria’s digital future. It promised to continue to explore unlimited opportunities to serve the customers by investing heavily in the latest tools and technologies.

The company recently unveiled My-G which gives subscribers more data value and more freedom to explore their passions. It has also reinvigorated the Glo Cafe app to give subscribers total control and access to entertainment, gaming, data solutions and other VAS services on their mobile devices. Glo also enhanced the Berekete tariff plan to give unparalleled juicy benefits to subscribers, ensuring that every new business innovation, product and service bring Glo customers one step closer to their goals.

However, the partners had a terrific time being entertained, so the event wasn’t just about business presentations and prizes. Lilian Yeri Danceworld, an all-female dance company with a lot of versatile dance movements, was available to entertain the guests.

Celebrated musician, Flavour, also brightened up the evening with great music, adding color to bring the celebration to a close. Several guests joined him on the dance floor to enjoy his songs and flow along with his captivating performance.

Headline

Charles Osuji: Canada Celebrates a Legal Wizard

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

From a very humble beginning in Imo State, South East Nigeria, Charles Osuji has not only found the golden fleece, but had nature give him a soft landing on posterity; the evidence of his prolific hard work.

Here’s the story of a man, who transcended boundaries and borders, challenges and huddles as well as barriers to take the legal profession by storm, hitting the highest echelon with panache in far away Calgary, Alberta in Canada. He graduated top of his class with honours from Imo State University in 2009, and called to the Nigerian bar from where he migrated to Canada. He was absorbed into the then Smith Law Office, where he had a successful articling before being admitted into the Alberta Bar in 2014. He became a partner in 2016, and moved to sole ownership in 2017.

Today, Canada celebrates a man of vision, impact, focus, determination and commitment to growth, just as Nigeria walks tall with pride at a total package of dignity, influence, affluence and candor exportable to the global world. His name is Dr. Charles Osuji, the Chief Executive Officer of one of Canada’s most thriving law firm, Osuji & Smith Lawyers. Osuji proved from day one to be a man, who knows what he wants, and it is no accident that he has achieved so much, and yet not rested on any oars. He sits comfortably as the owner of the largest black-owned law firm in Canada.

Osuji’s larger than life achievements have been encapsulated in what most authorities have said and written about him.

In a speech during the welcoming of The Boss Publisher, Chief Dele Momodu, in Calgary the week before, Barrister Juliet Omonigho, has this to say about Dr. Osuji

“Sir, let me tell you a bit about Dr. Charles Osuji; like Chief Dr. Momodu, he embarked on a journey fueled by vision and determination. Charles arrived in Canada and quickly rose through the ranks with sheer hard work, humility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In just a few short years, five years to be exact, he went from a young Nigerian boy in his twenties who, though graduated at the top of his class, seemed to have no prospects when he arrived in Canada, working three menial jobs to make ends meet, to finally getting an articling position after over 200 rejections! He bought the firm just three years after Articling and, in just five short years as managing partner, led it to become the largest black-owned law firm in Canada! His story is one of resilience, innovation, courage and the kind of tenacity that transforms dreams into reality.

“Osuji & Smith Lawyers, under Charles’ leadership, mirrors the journey of Ovation International. Both entities began with a vision, faced numerous challenges, achieved feats that had never been achieved before… and ultimately became symbols of success and excellence in their respective fields. Just as Chief Dr. Dele Momodu has become a beacon of pride for Africa in the global media landscape, Dr. Charles Osuji and his firm have become shining examples of what can be achieved by a young immigrant lawyer with no connections in Canada but through hard work and a commitment to uplifting others rise to national recognition in this country.

“Through the Foot in the Door Initiative, FIDI, an organization founded to empower internally trained lawyers Charles, our firm’s reach is international, giving incredible opportunities to internationally trained lawyers around the world to gain legal experience so they do not have to spend years writing hundreds of applications as he did before getting a foot in the door into a legal profession.

“As a director of the program, we get contacted by lawyers from around the world about the opportunity to be part of the initiative, and we say yes, which gives them the confidence to move to Canada to pursue their legal careers. The impact of the FIDI innovation is truly global.

“Our firm is so successful because Charles has assembled an incredible team of legal minds producing first-class work and the most dedicated and brilliant administrative staff. And collectively, we are all determined and dedicated to giving back. We are a full-service law firm with a diverse staff that speaks over 31 languages; by the way, Chief Momodu, we know you are a linguist who speaks several languages. Our ages range from twenties to seventies, and we serve a diverse Canada.

“As a result of Charles’ leadership, Nigeria is uplifting others regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality. Over 200 FIDI students from different races have passed through our doors. Osuji & Smith has won landmark cases that established precedents, especially in employment law.

“Our firm has won over 105 awards across Canada, and Charles was recognized as one of Canada’s 25 most influential lawyers at age 35.

“Chief Dr. Momodu, you have led the way, setting an incredible example for a person like Dr. Charles Osuji—to rise to remarkable heights while keeping your focus on a larger mission: showcasing excellence, rewriting narratives, and creating opportunities for others. Your story continues to impact us even in the diaspora. It reminds us that with vision, determination, and the courage to stand for something greater than ourselves, there are no limits to what we can achieve.”

For a gentleman, who moved to Canada in 2011, it is quite impressive how he has climbed the ladders of success, and settled at the very height of greatness.

OF CHARLES OSUJI AND OSUJI & SMITH LAWYERS

By the age of 30, Charles Osuji, an internationally trained lawyer from Nigeria, bought a 37-year-old firm wherein he had served as an articling student not long before. Today, Osuji & Smith is a thriving small-sized firm that offers multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives to its client base. The firm’s diverse staff includes lawyers who are educated or trained abroad, as well as individuals who can speak English, Igbo, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. Professionals at Osuji & Smith can bring their diverse legal, financial and lived experiences to the table, which is what sets the firm apart from others.

Charles Osuji acts as a role model for young professionals and as a mentor to the associate lawyers, articling students and legal assistants at the firm. For these reasons, Three Best Rated has consistently named Osuji & Smith, beginning in 2017, as one of the top-rated employment and business firms in Calgary.

Also on the endless list of those, who have one or two things to say about Osuji is the site LEXPERT Business of Law, who wrote in 2021 as follows:

In 2011, Charles Osuji uprooted himself — and his developing legal career — to move to Calgary from Nigeria. An internationally trained lawyer, he came to Canada knowing he’d have to become re-accredited and develop a new network of personal and professional colleagues — but Osuji wasn’t daunted by these challenges. He joined what is now Osuji & Smith Lawyers in 2013 as an articling student, was called to the Alberta Bar in 2014, became partner at the firm in 2016 and then, at the age of 31, made another bold move: he became sole owner of the firm. At an age when most lawyers are still preoccupied with learning their craft, Osuji stands at the helm of a thriving and fast rising small-sized law firm as managing partner and CEO.

Osuji was recently named one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers; was recognized in both Canada and Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 Award categoryies; won the Immigrant of Distinction — Achievement Under 35 Award from Immigrant Services Calgary; was recently recognized, and voted by his fellow lawyers across Canada, in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2022, for his outstanding professional excellence in private practice; and was a nominee for the Canadian Bar Association’s 2020 Douglas Miller Rising Star Award.

Osuji & Smith covers a number of areas of law including personal injury, immigration, civil litigation, business, wills and estate, real estate, family, and employment and labour. Clients, which represent a cross-section of Alberta businesses and individuals, benefit from the firm’s multi-generational and multi-cultural perspectives, and Osuji’s willingness to provide these different perspectives sets his firm apart in the Calgary market. He strives to bring an entrepreneurial, multi-cultural and holistic approach to the practice of law.

Osuji is dedicated to providing mentoring and leadership for his staff and is also “a volunteer extraordinaire.” He plays piano at his church, provides pro bono work such as with E-Fry and legal clinics and is a mentor for other newcomer professionals through the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Counsel, where he participates in workshops and panel conversations as well as serves on the Board of Directors and as Secretary.

Despite his fast and furious rise in the Canadian legal community, Osuji remains humble, genuine and kind. His unique combination of high intellect, tireless work ethic and business acumen fuels this rising star, but Osuji remains grounded by his role as a model citizen for all young professionals.

A multi-award-winning lawyer across divides, Charles Osuji remains undaunted, churning out firsts after first.