03/09/2026
Dear Compatriots,
It always seems impossible until it’s done — Nelson Mandela
That quote has stayed with me through August, a month that tested exactly that belief.
It is that time of the month when dumps are made, a time to pause and reflect on the experiences that shaped the past 31 days. For me, August carried life’s familiar signature of highs and lows. But then again, what is life without them?
Two experiences stand out as worthy of reflection.
The first was the culmination of my journey as a law undergraduate at the University of Maiduguri on the 10th of August. I imagined the atmosphere would feel different, that I’d feel an overwhelming sense of relief on reaching such a milestone. Surprisingly, I didn’t. Instead, I came to a deeper understanding of the saying that the journey often matters just as much as the destination. There’s more I could say about my time in Maiduguri, but perhaps that’s a story for another day.
My second defining experience was my participation in Cohort XX of the ECN Programme on Politeracy and Governance. Though relatively short, running from the 3rd of July to the 30th of August, it kept me fully engaged throughout.
Among the many lectures, a few stayed with me. The lecture on Candidate Manifesto and Declaration gave me a proper understanding of the approach to making declarations, when to make one, where to make it, and how to adapt your language to the understanding and concerns of your intended audience. I left that lecture feeling handed the perfect guidebook for putting together and publicising a successful political manifesto.
The lecture on the 4th Estate in a democracy brought home a saying that had always been familiar to me: the media is the fourth estate of the political realm. It reinforced the need for the independence of the media as contained in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Without that independence, there seems no way for the media to truly live up to being the guardians of democracy and defenders of public interest.
Now, all of this would only amount to an effort in futility without judicial independence and accountability, as one of our introductory lectures — The Judiciary and Its Impact on Governance — made clear. It told the story of Otuoke, a community in Bayelsa state that, through an FOI (Freedom of Information Information) filing and a petition, recovered ₦87 million meant for the renovation of classroom blocks but was on its way to being siphoned off due to weak oversight institutions.
My journey to leadership in this cohort wasn’t a straight line. I was first appointed Chairman of the party’s Assignment Committee, before being elected Vice-Chairman of my party — a role that pulled me into late-night calls and conversations with people I’d never have met otherwise. Later in the programme, I was elected President of the Cohort, an honour whose process I’ll always remember: not just the votes cast, but the trust extended to me by people far more experienced and accomplished than I had grown used to leading.
This reshaped how I see leadership. I now know I don’t have to be the oldest or smartest person in the room to direct the order of things as a leader. The ability to harness the individual strength of each member toward our collective benefit is the true hallmark of a great leader. These are lessons I will carry forward and continue to refine as I navigate my journey as President of the Cohort, my professional career as a budding Lawyer, and my overall civic responsibility as a citizen and community leader.
My sincere appreciation goes to the Electoral College, its Executive Director Mr. Kunle Lawal, and the entire team, for building a programme this impactful and making it free.
Programmes like this matter because it’s no longer enough to call out public office holders on social media. We must watch closely, act proactively, and hold power accountable through the legitimate channels the Constitution provides.
Just as the ED said in his final lecture, in order to craft the Nigeria of our dreams, you need at least 40 Kunles in the Senate. As an individual, I will endeavour to be a devoted preacher of civic responsibility to my audiences.
As President of this Cohort, I intend to put these lessons to work, staying accessible to members, championing the ideas that came out of our lectures and debates, and pushing for this cohort’s impact to outlive the programme itself. The torch doesn’t go out when the certificates are handed out; it’s only just been lit.
Here’s to growth, service, and the possibilities ahead.
Glad Ifechukwu Eze,
President ECN Cohort XX.
3rd, September,2026.
