Commencement 2009

Kenyan Prime Minister Urges Solidarity with Emerging Africa

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga delivered the keynote address for the 120th Commencement Ceremony.

• Commencement Slideshow
• PM Odinga Visits Niagara Falls Slideshow
• Highlights Video

Two national anthems – those of the United States and Kenya – set the stage for UB Law School's 120th Commencement, a ceremony with a decidedly international flavor. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga delivered the keynote address to the 258 graduating students, and their families, gathered in the Center for the Arts on May 23.

Dean Makau W. Mutua, a native of Kenya who invited Odinga to speak, told the graduates, "Congratulations for having completed and endured three long and grueling years of legal education at UB Law School. But if you thought that law school was hard, I ask you to think again, because life begins now. Today begins the rest of your life, but I want to assure you that it will be a wonderful life if you live it under the maxim 'Equality for all and justice under the law.' For in that little phrase you will find the tenets of a truly humane existence."

Odinga began his remarks by saying, "In Kenya, at a graduation time like this, we say, 'Welcome to the world as it is, not as it should be as expounded in textbooks.' Whatever you choose to do after this, my word to you is, do not be passive observers of the world. Be active citizens of this planet. Your services as lawyers will be needed beyond the borders of the United States of America."

He then gave those in attendance a brief history of his country, which in recent years has struggled to overcome a legacy of colonialism and self-interested national governments. He also recounted the Kenyan people's increasing calls for a new constitution that would limit the power of the executive branch and solidify personal freedoms. "Solving the governance problems in Africa requires fundamental governance reforms," Odinga said. "Central to these reforms is enactment of a new and popular constitution."

Africa, he said, remains a "great continent with great contradictions … where the bad and ugly run alongside flashes of brilliance." Some African nations have been independent states for 40, 50, even 60 years, he said, and "the colonial blame game has run its course."

"Africa has been through difficult times in the past," Odinga said. "Africa has been misgoverned and has not been able to marshal the resources that it is. This must not continue. Africa does not need aid. What Africa needs is trade and investment."

To the graduating class he had words of exhortation: "I want to encourage you to train your sights on places like Africa and great nations like Kenya. There will be a lot to do in various fields. You could be voices for the rule of law, constitutionalism, democracy, good governance, human rights. As you graduate, you join a world that is in a recession caused partly by poor corporate governance and greed in some cases. You join a world in peril from global warming caused by environmental degradation. Your services are required in these areas across the world. Above all, you graduate at a time when, with the election of President Barack Obama, America is seen to have rediscovered its capacity to inspire and to give hope. Go out there and inspire the world."

Following a standing ovation from the audience, Mutua conferred upon Odinga the inaugural Dean's Award, given to "those individuals who believe in justice and the rule of law."