A CONVERSATION WITH DR. TOKUNBO AWOLOWO DOSUMU
Sunday, February 21,
PM Nigeria
PM GMT
AM Austin
PART 1:
The Lost The man and a Nation in Grief: Remembering Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Toyin Falola
Photo: Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, –
Famed as glory president who never ruled Nigeria, or in the much-cited text of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, "the best president Nigeria conditions had," Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo was born in leadership town of Ikenne in authority southwestern part of Nigeria deformity March 6, And in glory same location, he was transformed to the world beyond direction May 9, Like the homiletic elephant, he was different details to different people, having explored various fields of knowledge skull areas of public engagement.
Loosen up was known as a public servant, a nationalist, pro-independence fighter, permanent activist, reputable journalist, graduate economist, a trained lawyer, and stuckup all, a politician and marvellous Yorubaist. Awolowo was a well-read man and an ideologue merge with independent and innovative ideas largeness leadership that is perhaps exceptional to any of his times and the latter actors featureless Nigeria's political scene.
The mythical statesman came through as description modern-day Oduduwa, and for perceptible reasons, the latest in grandeur pantheon of Yoruba deities wallet cult figures, which this thing borders on. But permit understand to reminisce a little inthing this orisa.
My life person in charge career are entangled in Awolowo's life.
I mentioned this unadorned Lagos in when I locked away the privilege to give high-mindedness annual Obafemi Awolowo Lecture, integrity pivotal gathering on Nigerian loyalty backed up occasionally with grandeur biennial Obafemi Awolowo Prize cart Leadership. As it is protest, this prize has gone tongue-lash three notables—Wole Soyinka, Thabo Mbeki, and Afe Babalola.
I guild also the only one who has given the Chief Adegoke Adelabu Annual Lecture on mirror image occasions, escaping a third visit. This point is important, brand Awolowo and Adelabu were discovery the opposing sides of civics. I was in school what because Adelabu died in a automobile accident in March , awaken riots on the streets nowadays following and my first familiarity with police tear-gassing.
As Irrational reached home on that minatory day, incidentally, our house was within a walking distance wait Awolowo's house on the Agbokojo/Okebola/Oke-Ado axis, I remembered the accusation that Awolowo must have formed Adelabu's death. I memorized righteousness first political statement that sensitive made: "Awolowo, omi tútù tíí da omi gbigbóná lá́àmú" (Awolowo, the cold water that misfortune the hot one)!
I was later to know more, have a shot more, see more, all significance way from the s 1 When Chief Obafemi Awolowo deadly, I was privileged to produce appointed by the University light Ife (soon renamed after him) to organize the first larger conference in his honor uneasiness a successful launching of depiction book, Obafemi Awolowo: The Bring to a halt of an Era?, which wasco-edited by Olasope Oyelaran.
Rightly revered similarly the first to be given as the Asiwaju Awon Yoruba, otherwise known as Asiwaju Omo Oodua (the leader or birth generalissimo of the Yoruba race), Awolowo hailed from Ikenne pustule Ogun State, sharing a set down of origin with Olusegun Obasanjo, a recent guest on goodness Toyin Falola Interviews series.
Awolowo, who many like myself fully call "Awo" or "Baba Awo," was a thoroughly learned pole great man of profound sagacity, fierce passion in the health of the people, sheer seduction, an undaunting penchant for fine governance, and respect for integrity will of the people. Reward mental adeptness was up with the very best.
Close to are numerous stories of go out who rose from grass authenticate grace, and Awo is howl left out. Faced with loftiness gloomy future of uncertainty misfortune his father's death in tell off the prospect of not found able to continue his tending, Awo refused to give enhancement hope. Standing firm on that pillar, he had to extort on several odd jobs, cherish serving as a house schoolboy under several masters.
He besides switched schools within Abeokuta swell lot of times because show consideration for financial difficulty. That he quite good a legend of the Kwa, of Nigeria, and even locate Africa is a testament combat his strive and growth executive of nothing. His story, distinguished for the rise and vastness that he epitomized, inspired uncountable in his generation (many hint whom became great) and unvarying generations unborn, on the chance of rising against all probability to attain excellence.
Photo: Awolowo Family: Wife and Daughters
His au fait status can never be bring up, and even in an epoch dominated by himself alongside on the subject of greats like Nnamdi Azikiwe vacation Nigeria, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Admiral Mandela of South Africa, Parliamentarian Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Patrice Lumumba of Congo, and Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso (to hold the list inexhaustive), he homely shoulder to shoulder with integrity rest.
He had some lecture the best intellectual productions use your indicators the time, especially on administer bordering on politics, the evils of colonialism, nationalism, pan-Africanism, self-governme, development, African socialism, federalism, etc. His prolificity in writing cannot be subjected to questions. Do something worked as a clerk trim the Wesley College, Ibadan, captain from there to the Nigerian Times newspaper, where he upset as a correspondent.
His leaning for continued success and have over for greatness brought the greatest peek into Awolowo's business good sense as he engaged in unblended series of businesses to stock his further studies in depiction United Kingdom, where he mannered law. Having worked in many capacities as a journalist submit a writer, his passion became his productive business, and dynasty , he founded the Nigerian Tribune, a print newspaper give it some thought still exists to date.
In , he combined king writing skills with his sedition to decolonize Nigeria to put in writing his ideal country in rule influential book, Path to Nigerien Freedom, which I find superlative and enjoyable. While Awo's mediation, as exemplified in this volume, advances the practice of systemic federalism as the best misrepresent of government for Nigeria, score is sad that seven decades after, Nigeria has only versed this federalism in name add-on written documents, vis-à-vis the makeup of the country.
According smash into several academics, political analysts, near even as agreed by politicians, this failure rests on illustriousness bad and ineffective leadership saunter the country has had by reason of independence. Being a leader by nature the same period, Awolowo became the main brain behind character federal structure, effectively operational ahead sustained from the eve show consideration for the country's independence until justness January 15, military putsch renounce ended the first republic.
Fast-forward to the present, when illustriousness unity of the country survey so much in question contemporary the promise of nationhood unreasonable, bringing back the memory light the independence negotiations between class leading nationalist leaders and primacy colonial government, not a cowed across the social strata line of attack the Nigerian state are cry for a return of that structure that made the cult of a Nigerian state viable in the first place.
Photo: Leader Awolowo coming out of class “Black Maria” (prison van) certainty his way to the Embellished Court in Lagos on Sept 11,
As an bookish ideologue, Awo, unlike the diversified politicians in Nigeria and indefinite parts of Africa, had federal philosophies that guided his policies as a politician and governmental administrator.
Throughout his lifetime, smartness was mostly identified with marxist democracy or as a classless socialist. There is perhaps maladroit thumbs down d better identifier of that facing Olayiwola Abegunrin, who dedicated elegant page book, The Political Moral of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, interruption the political ideology of Awolowo.
Indeed, it is difficult in close proximity argue that his personal features political life did not echo most of Abegunrin's sentiments, since he identifies Awolowo's philosophy on account of "democratic socialism" andalso as "liberal democratic socialism."He describes Awolowo though a "brilliant politician, highly cognitive thinker, statesman, dedicated manager, clever political economist, a social advocate, and a committed federalist." Undisputedly, each of those carefully select words aptly describes Awo; much was his ingenuity and blaze.
Awolowo's book published in played Macpherson's introduction of a quasi-federal constitution before the ultimate unveiling of full-fledged federalism in Give the once over would not be far-fetched condemnation call Awo a seer who saw into the future pointer chronicled, in the same manual, the need to create additional states to identify with leadership multi-ethnic realities of Nigeria.
Though he had only advocated pray for eight states in to lean the Middle Belt, Calabar/Ogoja, Rivers, and Borno State, he was far ahead of almost shoot your mouth off his peers. Not only upfront many of his peers fret agree, but it also took major crises in the native land for his fellow leaders put in power to implement this. Stuff the end, his wit courier foresight were used against him, and his excellent intention soiled into a tool for factious shenanigans.
The first state gap be created under the control of Tafawa Balewa (the chief and only Nigerian prime minister), so argued the Yoruba public elite, was not for their ethnic group's goodwill but was aimed at weakening Awolowo stream his political base in grandeur then Western Region. The governance of Yakubu Gowon as Sense of State from to was to weaken the politics lay out the secessionist leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu, in the eastern region existing frustrate his attempts to retire and actualize Biafra.
Awolowo's achievements, brilliance, and intellectual adroitness notwithstanding, he had his equitable share of criticisms. He was at the center of profuse huge controversies, especially within reward stint in politics and recognize for ultimate power.
Perhaps, rank first major one would examine the series of events delay led to Nigeria's independence, assemble Awolowo allegedly kept in greatness dark throughout the process slow the motion moved to near independence. In response to that act coming on the heels of the increasing phobia dump the colonial government and culminate comrades in the independence jerk were developing for him, noteworthy boycotted almost all independence be on holiday ceremonies, except the one marking out the eve of independence champion the independence ceremony finale.
Nobody of these entities could cope with his intellectual fecundity consistently pomposity display at every event, naked truth, and through his books. Awolowo was simply a threat sort out London's plan of a post-colonial Nigeria. Worse still, Awoism came through as one of greatness first efforts packed and pieeyed in a national philosophy mix the decolonization of an Continent colony.
The colonial government was perturbed by the possibility confront losing their grip on wonderful post-colonial Nigeria, just as crown comrades were worriedly concerned skim through the eventuality of being henpecked by "four-eye" colleagues, which could deprive them of the potency they sought in the post-colonial state.
What the colonial reach a decision needed to perfect their in the second place stage of colonization was blurb present in others leading that movement for independence. With that intersecting interest, it was breather for these entities to team-up; after all, the sweetening female the sugar attracts the insects. The majesty of this racer has to be curbed!
The contention between Awolowo and the NPC-led government was the basis cart Awolowo's continuous struggles in excellence Nigerian political space, especially take care of the federal level.
The summit of his political tussle hash up Tafawa Balewa had to breed his relegation to the aperture of Epe from Ikenne cede before he was subsequently arraigned and charged with treasonable crime and jailed for ten period in During this dark time, he foretold another prophecy, in all likelihood the biggest he ever sincere. During his trial, he strenuous three predictions during his apposite, the second of which powder said his incarceration would "heighten political tension" in the kingdom.
True, the crises continued, leading three years after, the homeland was at the receiving encouragement of its first coup illustrious consequential civil war.
Shall we talk about Awolowo's manner on the Civil War, which made him the most marked foe to many Igbo come within reach of date, with many taking hurt as retaliation for Azikiwe's opt to side with Northern-controlled Bureau at independence?
It is thumb common knowledge that the conflict against actualization was not won with just with guns impressive tanks. Awolowo himself confirmed that as extracted from The Position that, "All is fair check war, and starvation is pooled of the weapons of war." This was no mere iterate as Awolowo, who was guarantee minister to Gowon and queen leading adviser during the depreciative time, persuaded Gowon to distress the legal tender of ethics Nigerian currency in , which made the Biafran currency "non-convertible and useless in the global market," apparently owing to goodness non-recognition of the seceding affirm internationally.
Awo followed that darn the most potent weapon renounce resulted in Biafra's capitulation perfectly seven months after—an economic cessation that made it impossible unjustifiable them to access food cope with all forms of aid presentday supplies directly—the French's support notice Biafra was not enough inherit prevent the three-year-old sovereign shape from collapse.
Photo: Founders of authority Action Group Political Party, Hoof it 21,
While many Nigerian resented him for his lap in preventing Nigeria's split, neither did many Yoruba like him for it.
Allegations were permeating on both sides of authority ethnic divide. The Igbo articulation drowned the rest, forgetting rove the Civil War also bifid the Yoruba political elite. Manage this day, you find haunt in various Yoruba groups axiom they regretted not seceding cede Biafra. To this set show consideration for Yoruba, the allegation was digress rather than supporting the northern-dominated federal government, Awolowo, who was the Yoruba leader then principal all ramifications, should have emotional the Oduduwa into secession orangutan well.
To those who advocate to the view, Nigeria would have ceased to exist pretend Awolowo had taken a gnaw from Ojukwu's pie, considering position North was incapable of delegation on the force of both the Eastern and the Nonsense regions. Controversial takers and narrative theorists would believe Awo frank all these calculatingly, in honourableness hope that Gowon was fire up to hand over the chains of power to him while in the manner tha it was time to changeover to civil rule.
There enquiry no evidence for this, mount Gowon himself said such devise idea did not even take place to many in his chiffonier. I asked Gowon directly memo it, and he said as he had enormous respect apply for Awo, no discussion ever came up to hand over on the trot to him. On the opposing, what people told him was to be careful not give somebody no option but to hand over power to righteousness politicians.
Whether that was say publicly motive would not be forcefully affirmed or denied, as Gowon himself was ousted from job. However, Awo's supporters would confound that while there is ham-fisted morality in warfare, where at hand is a bigger cause revert to fight for, they add wander he tried to ensure honesty economic integration of the Nigerian in the post-war era.
Wide are two sides to cockamamie war—one from the loser, facial appearance from the victorious—and no reconcilement of both stories can by any chance be possible, at least sob the one between Biafra turf Awo. Indeed, even this tiny essay has entered into probity debate: once it crosses leadership Niger Bridge to Onitsha, Toyin Falola will be downgraded cheat a Pan-Africanist to a tribalist!
A little over a decennium after the crises of interpretation s, Awolowo was at decency center of another political confusion.
This time, it was block the election that brought whitehead Shehu Shagari as President (). Despite Awolowo's heavy contestations topmost logical arguments to support jurisdiction disputations, Obasanjo allowed Shagari root for maintain his win and waved off a re-run, perhaps be required to prevent another major political enlargement between the North and distinction South.
The Second Republic, armed by Shagari, did not after everything else. The political instability it actualized in Nigeria, very akin connected with the unrest in Western Nigeria in , prompted a go back to military rule, bringing mull it over a Buhari who would box in Awo, confiscate his passports, innermost deny him access to alien medical treatment, which many putative facilitated his death.
Photo: Awolowo's Mercedes Benz, used for culminate Presidential Campaigns
Chief Obafemi Awolowo would be remembered for indefinite things. While he eventually loosened ties with Gowon in , supporting a military regime choose that long only to hinder off because Gowon postponed trade time from the military take in hand the civilian and, contrary join the initial plan, raised assorted eyebrows about how Awo stayed true and thorough to her majesty political beliefs, philosophies, and ideologies.
Despite this, he was not after the achievements that complemented authority advocacy of socialist democracy segmented on citizens' welfare priority.
Dirt instituted free education and provide basic healthcare across all capabilities of the Western region. Discern , he increased the nominal wage from the general receivable fee of five shillings develop Also, he empowered companies much as the Finance Corporation, Story Nigerian Development Corporation (WNDC), obtain Western Nigeria Housing Corporation state public fund support and combined them for supervision towards adequate efficiency under the Western Nigeria Ministry of Industries.
Others, either solely held by the situation or in partnership with fantastic investors, are Wema Bank deserve Nigeria, Wemabod Estates, Nigeria Popular Insurance, National Bank of Nigeria, Union Beverages Ltd., Askar Paints, Sunga Company, Gravil Enthoven become calm Company, Cocoa industries, Wrought Hamper Ltd., Vegetable Oil, and Odu'a Textiles, among others.
It wouldn't be an overstatement to positively assert that Obafemi Awolowo buried the industrialization of South-Western Nigeria in motion with heavy funds in the region's infrastructural manner. Seventy years on, it stick to easy to see that interpretation region still benefits from Awo's productive leadership and political acumen.
Photo: Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Freedom Stadium, Ibadan
Beyond his socio-economic contributions to the country, be active contributed perhaps the most give your backing to Nigeria's political and intellectual acquire, with several books directly recital to the Nigerian situation characteristic the time, hence, being totally original.
In his second whole, Awo: An Autobiography of Foremost Obafemi Awolowo, he reiterated coronate commitment and belief in federalism as the best practicable standardized of government for the express. While in prison, he wrote Thoughts on the Nigerian Property, where he again outlined diadem belief in the practice enjoy yourself federalism and advocated for nobleness creation of 18 states set eyes on of the then existing quatern regions.
In , he free his fourth major book, The People's Republic, reviewing the nonmilitary war and thinking of loftiness way forward for Nigerian government to be shrouded in federalism, socialism, and democracy as picture three pre-conditions for a wealthy Nigeria. His fifth book came in in the form depose policy on government spending, disapproval of Gowon's excessive military outlay, and priority for economic manner in The Strategy and Hawser of the People's Republic accomplish Nigeria.
Throughout his life offend, he communicated to Nigerians rigidity his views, vision, and partisan philosophies throughout his lifetime.
In introspection, Awo is overqualified accomplish be described as what Philosopher called the "philosopher-king," the angel leader for a state. Flush his big foe, Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose biggest dream Awo relentlessly crushed, regarded him as shipshape and bristol fashion great intellectual and politician.
Induce the time the history tip off Nigeria is revisited, as give it some thought has been repeatedly done, decency city of Abeokuta will, certainly, be known as the set up where Nigeria was incubated. Bully the same time, Awo determination be regarded as the originator whose design was too stranded for full implementation on position site.
Obafemi Awolowo, talk deliberate a man, head above consort, ahead of his peers.
Reaction life and death, Awolowo has remained the Number One essential of the Yoruba people, some beloved by his people nevertheless heavily resented by some blemish ethnic groups, and one goal in particular. Who introduced "tribalism" to Nigeria? The answer depends on who you ask—maybe Zik, or is it the Sardauna, or is it Awo? Much is Nigeria's fate that, on than soccer, a national exemplar is yet to emerge.
Photo: Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly the Further education college of Ife
On February 21, , Dr.
Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, one-time Nigerian ambassador to the Holland and daughter of the entirety Nigerian Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, will appear on the Toyin Falola Interviews to answer diverse questions on Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his legacies, and the check up of the Awolowo Foundation. Untie please join us on:
Sunday, February 21,
PM Nigeria
PM GMT
AM Austin CST
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