They called him a “progressive leader”, a democratic socialist who was at the centre of his policies” and more.
Even in death, the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains a major factor in Nigeria’s politics. That was the submission at the presentation of the book, Post-Independence Political Evolution of Western Nigeria (The Obafemi Awolowo Factor), by Pa Jacob Adebayo Mosanya in Lagos.
At a time heroes are not easy to come by, Pa Mosanya has reached into the repository of Nigeria’s political history to bring out a book, which is five-in-one. Spanning five decades, the book is essentially the recollections of the tumults events in the Awolowo’s years. It is meant to inspire the young and refocus the leaders, it was said.
What was meant to be the presentation of the 84-year-old’s historical compendium of a sort became a platform for political reflection for dignitaries led by the former Finance Minister, Chief Olu Falae.
History was revisited as they zeroed in on the role played by Nigeria’s past leaders in nation-building, saying Nigerians should emulate the exemplary qualities of the late sage. Hence, the spotlight was on the legacies, political exploits and travails of Awolowo, fondly called Awo by the populace.
Falae, who chaired the event, said the greatness of the nationalist is beyond question, urging leaders, particularly politicians, to draw inspiration from his legacies. He raised fear over the increase in the rate of corruption in the country. He called for national conference, saying it holds the key to resolving the crisis in the land.
He said: “We continue to celebrate him, not because we are fanatics, but because Awo has left shinning legacies that is difficult to rival. There is no debate on his greatness. To be like Awo, politicians must imbibe “the spirit of Awo” that is centred on people-friendly policies. He gave his personal house as surety for some local farmers he did not know to borrow money from the bank with. That, for me, summarises, his passion for the people. If we are not careful, corruption will sink Nigeria. Today, it is institutionalised. Pa Awolowo did not teach us that. We should return to a true federalism which is what Awolowo advocated for.”
While highlighting the achievements of Awo – from the free-education to establishing the first broadcasting station in Africa, the founder of Northern Friends of the Southsouth, Dr Suleiman Yerima, said Awo came before his time. He named former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the cause of the political predicament that the country is faced with, noting that his role in the 1979 presidential election as Military Administrator was unforgivable, in that he deprived Nigerians the opportunity of enjoying the dividends of democracy.
“Awo is one of the greatest African that the continent has ever produced. For Nigeria to be great again, we must be ready and willing to go back to those ideas that were espoused by Chief Awolowo that made it possible today that the average Yoruba man stands out among his peers, because of the opportunity he was given by Awo, who believed that to change the world, you must first change your environment. Just imagine where Nigeria would have been today had he been given a chance to rule.
“Here was a man who was the first African to bring television to the whole African continent, at a time most continents of the world were still not reached through the television. He was a man of ideas, who was determined to bring change to his nation, but was prevented by the personal ego of one man – General Olusegun Obasanjo. This is why Nigeria is the way it is now. Because of Obasanjo’s singular mistake in 1979, when he was not willing to declare the late sage winner, even though he won the election square and fair with the UPN.”
On her part, the sage’s daughter Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, said the leadership alone is not be blamed for the rot in society, noting that the bulk of the blame is on the electorate. According to her, her father was made a leader in the days when integrity and cardinal of leadership was so clear, hence, she called for a reawakening and political sagacity by Nigerians, saying they should reclaim their electoral power.
“We complain about Nigeria, that things are not going well, but we forget that 99 per cent of the faults are ours, those of us who are the electorate. In fact in the days of Chief Awolowo, people knew exactly the kind of leaders that they wanted and they insisted. That was the sagacity of the electorate in those days, my word to you is ‘take your power back’.”
Yinka Odumakin of the Afenifere Group described him as a great leader who believed in the unity of his race – the Yoruba.
The book reviewer, Akintola Ajayi, an engineer, who is a classmate of Mosanya, praised the author’s efforts, saying the book will speak for itself. He urged Nigerians go to beyond using the historical material to inform themselves to imbibing the qualities of the late sage.
Other guests were the Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Sola Ebiseni, who represented Governor Olusegun Mimiko; Jimi Agbaje; Chief Johnson Fagbamiye, Lisa of Oluji; Aare Kola Oyefesan; Awolowo’s grandson, Oluwole Awolowo and President, Ezedigbo in Southwest, Eze uche Dimgba.
