Didi Nwanneka Nwala is the first daughter of Prof. Timothy Uzodinma Nwala, a former National Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who also played a role in drafting the constitution of the G34, an organisation that became the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview, she talks about growing up, his impact on her life, society and more. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: How would you describe your father?
Didi Nwanneka Nwala: There are a lot of ways I would love to describe my father. My father is one who invests much of himself into whatever he sets his heart to do and his zeal is contagious. He is a man with a gift of the mind, has an unusual intellect, and a courageous heart which sometimes frightens those around him. He is deeply guided by his principles. He goes about whatever he sets his mind to do in no small measure. There is no limit to how much energy he would devote to any course to which he commits himself.
DT: As son of a notable Chief Priest of Ala, earth goddess, what qualities would you say he inherited from his father?
Nwala: I know that his father, my grand-father, was a chief priest. But I didn’t meet him to know what qualities he would have passed on to my father. From the little my father had told us, he was a well-respected man who was not just a chief priest, but also an advocate of justice and peace, and lived for his people. His popular name ‘Ehilegbu’, means that the day an innocent man will be executed, may he not be there. I think that is what my father took from him.
But my father let us know that he suffered many challenges in his revolt against being the successor to his father. He has also rejected an offer to be an Apostolic priest because of his preference to work within the social order.
DT: What attributes of your father would you say you have imbibed?
Nwala: The most important for me is his genuine heart for his people and his sacrifice to right the wrongs done. He has spent a great deal of his life fighting for others, starting from when he was a lecturer at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Many students spoke highly of how he revolutionised the way things were done in the system.
DT: Would regrets do you think he has?
Nwala: He cares a lot about his legacy. Anything that would tarnish his image, he seeks to correct no matter what it would cost him. However, the only regret I would imagine he would have from discussions with him growing up, is not taking a lot of opportunities he had to enter into full blown politics so as to be able to foster a lot more changes than he has done now.
DT: What do you usually talk about these days?
Nwala: My father has profound love for family. But his many quests take him away mentally and physically quite often. However, any opportunity to discuss with him and have him tell us stories of his past failures and triumphs are always great moments. Such as the role he played to initiate NYSC, how they laid the foundation for the Academic Union of Universities and led their first glorious strike. Also, how they laid the foundation for PDP’s constitution and many more, internationally and locally.
DT: How has being his daughter opened doors for you?
Nwala: When younger, yes. His name influenced how people accepted me or warmed up to me. This also placed a great responsibility on me to ensure I represent him well.
DT: Some people see your father more as a traditionalist than a Christian.
How do you see him?
Nwala: I have said earlier how profound my dad’s love for tradition is. He has always said that the laws were made for man and not man for the law. He holds Christianity in high regard, nonetheless.
DT: What challenges have you faced being a daughter of a famous man?
Nwala: Personally, I haven’t had challenges that I can remember. I am only letting my own decisions define my path in life. I carry on with a lot of great lessons I learned from him.
DT: If he had not become a philosopher, what other career would he have excelled at?
Nwala: It’s law. He loves fairness and has the zeal to fight for it.
DT: While you were growing up, what type of music appealed to him?
Nwala: Growing up I know my dad enjoyed listening to Lucky Dube
DT: What is his favourite food?
Nwala: His favourite meal is ‘swallow’. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t eat it as long as I can remember.
DT: How does he relax?
Nwala: I think reading would be a cliché. My dad is a body of knowledge. Aside reading he also enjoys watching football.
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