PRESS STATEMENT: STOP THE INTELLECTUAL TYRANNY: CCSG-PSGEJ REBUKES CHIDI ODINKALU OVER UNWARRANTED ATTACK ON SENATOR JIMOH IBRAHIM’S UN APPOINTMENT
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The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice (CCSG-PSGEJ) has watched with concern the recent derogatory remarks by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu regarding the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In a statement signed today in Abuja by our National Coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, we find it necessary to set the record straight and caution against the growing trend of “intellectual elitism” that seeks to diminish the proven capacity of homegrown leaders.
Academic Pedigree vs. Social Media Criticism
Prof. Odinkalu’s description of this appointment as anything less than stellar is a blatant denial of academic reality. Senator Jimoh Ibrahim is not just a politician; he is a scholar of the highest order—a Doctor of Business from the University of Cambridge, an alumnus of the Oxford University and the London School of Economics (LSE).
“If a Cambridge doctorate and Oxford training are not enough to represent Nigeria at the UN, we wonder what Professor Odinkalu’s criteria are. Academic excellence is not a monopoly of the ‘professional critic’ class.”
Legislative and Global Experience
Before his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Senator Ibrahim served as the *Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Worldwide. His role as Interim President of the UN Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva (2023) proves he is already a familiar face in the halls of global diplomacy. He is not going to the UN to learn; he is going there to lead.
. The Bias of the “Perpetual Critic
We note that Prof. Odinkalu has carved a niche for himself as a perpetual critic of the Nigerian state. While we respect the right to dissent, we reject the attempt to use “Human Rights” as a shield to launch personal vendettas against successful Nigerians.
“Nigeria needs ‘Doers’ at the UN, not just ‘Talkers.’ Senator Ibrahim’s background in business, law, and international relations makes him the perfect bridge between Nigeria’s economic interests and global policy.”
Conclusion
The CCSG-PSGEJ calls on Prof. Odinkalu to embrace the spirit of national progress. We congratulate Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and urge him to ignore the “noise from the sidelines” as he prepares to represent the most populous black nation on the world stage.
Signed,
Comrade James Okoronkwo
National Coordinator, CCSG-PSGEJ
