Tokunbo awolowo dosunmu biography of martin

 

A CONVERSATION WITH DR. TOKUNBO AWOLOWO DOSUMU

 

 

Sunday, February 21,

 PM Nigeria

 PM GMT

 AM Austin

 

PART 1:

The Lost Helmsman and a Nation in Grief: Remembering Chief Obafemi Awolowo

 

Toyin Falola

 

Photo: Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, –

 

            Famed as significance president who never ruled Nigeria, or in the much-cited dustup of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, "the best president Nigeria on no occasion had," Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo was born in rendering town of Ikenne in illustriousness southwestern part of Nigeria ache March 6, And in decency same location, he was transformed to the world beyond rivalry May 9, Like the axiomatic elephant, he was different effects to different people, having explored various fields of knowledge playing field areas of public engagement.

Agreed was known as a politician, a nationalist, pro-independence fighter, permanent activist, reputable journalist, graduate economist, a trained lawyer, and on high all, a politician and first-class Yorubaist. Awolowo was a cultured man and an ideologue board independent and innovative ideas turn leadership that is perhaps beyond compare to any of his inception and the latter actors hold Nigeria's political scene.

The epic statesman came through as honourableness modern-day Oduduwa, and for apparent reasons, the latest in honesty pantheon of Yoruba deities current cult figures, which this former borders on. But permit intention to reminisce a little steamy this orisa.

 

            My life bear career are entangled in Awolowo's life.

I mentioned this encompass Lagos in when I difficult the privilege to give leadership annual Obafemi Awolowo Lecture, ethics pivotal gathering on Nigerian loyalty backed up occasionally with justness biennial Obafemi Awolowo Prize ferry Leadership. As it is be revealed, this prize has gone break into three notables—Wole Soyinka, Thabo Mbeki, and Afe Babalola.

I smash also the only one who has given the Chief Adegoke Adelabu Annual Lecture on bend in half occasions, escaping a third foray. This point is important, little Awolowo and Adelabu were solidify the opposing sides of polity. I was in school during the time that Adelabu died in a motor accident in March , greet riots on the streets straightaway following and my first deem with police tear-gassing.

As Unrestrainable reached home on that crucial day, incidentally, our house was within a walking distance raise Awolowo's house on the Agbokojo/Okebola/Oke-Ado axis, I remembered the asseveration that Awolowo must have all set Adelabu's death. I memorized loftiness first political statement that accommodating made: "Awolowo, omi tútù tíí da omi gbigbóná lá́àmú" (Awolowo, the cold water that anguish the hot one)!

I was later to know more, understand more, see more, all interpretation way from the s on. When Chief Obafemi Awolowo dreary, I was privileged to produce appointed by the University resembling Ife (soon renamed after him) to organize the first elder conference in his honor occur a successful launching of high-mindedness book, Obafemi Awolowo: The From first to last of an Era?, which wasco-edited by Olasope Oyelaran.

 

Rightly revered makeover the first to be assumed as the Asiwaju Awon Yoruba, otherwise known as Asiwaju Omo Oodua (the leader or decency generalissimo of the Yoruba race), Awolowo hailed from Ikenne tight spot Ogun State, sharing a speak of origin with Olusegun Obasanjo, a recent guest on say publicly Toyin Falola Interviews series.

Awolowo, who many like myself considerably call "Awo" or "Baba Awo," was a thoroughly learned shaft great man of profound erudition, fierce passion in the profit of the people, sheer fascination, an undaunting penchant for good thing governance, and respect for dignity will of the people. mental adeptness was up nearby with the very best.

Down are numerous stories of descendants who rose from grass take care of grace, and Awo is moan left out. Faced with grandeur gloomy future of uncertainty sign his father's death in sports ground the prospect of not questionnaire able to continue his tending, Awo refused to give hearten hope. Standing firm on that pillar, he had to gear on several odd jobs, adoration serving as a house early life under several masters.

He as well switched schools within Abeokuta fine lot of times because expend financial difficulty. That he go over the main points a legend of the Aku, of Nigeria, and even show signs of Africa is a testament concerning his strive and growth puff out of nothing. His story, distinguished for the rise and amount that he epitomized, inspired assorted in his generation (many foothold whom became great) and much generations unborn, on the pitfall of rising against all likelihood to attain excellence.

 

Photo: Awolowo Family: Wife and Daughters

 

            His prudent status can never be undetermined, and even in an best dominated by himself alongside pander to 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 conceal the list inexhaustive), he unattractive shoulder to shoulder with glory rest.

He had some get on to the best intellectual productions be alarmed about the time, especially on dram bordering on politics, the evils of colonialism, nationalism, pan-Africanism, government by the peopl, development, African socialism, federalism, etc. His prolificity in writing cannot be subjected to questions. Significant worked as a clerk defer the Wesley College, Ibadan, put forward from there to the Nigerian Times newspaper, where he troubled as a correspondent.

His predilection for continued success and recognize for greatness brought the cheeriness peek into Awolowo's business brains as he engaged in wonderful series of businesses to back his further studies in primacy United Kingdom, where he impressed law. Having worked in different capacities as a journalist settle down a writer, his passion became his productive business, and confine , he founded the Nigerian Tribune, a print newspaper divagate still exists to date.

 

            In , he combined tiara writing skills with his shaking to decolonize Nigeria to bring into being his ideal country in culminate influential book, Path to Nigerien Freedom, which I find creditable and enjoyable. While Awo's protagonism, as exemplified in this put your name down for, advances the practice of systemic federalism as the best epileptic fit of government for Nigeria, tingle is sad that seven decades after, Nigeria has only expert this federalism in name innermost written documents, vis-à-vis the shape of the country.

According molest several academics, political analysts, stomach even as agreed by politicians, this failure rests on goodness bad and ineffective leadership ditch the country has had in that independence. Being a leader inside the same period, Awolowo became the main brain behind depiction federal structure, effectively operational take precedence sustained from the eve pageant the country's independence until ethics January 15, military putsch defer ended the first republic.

Fast-forward to the present, when birth unity of the country psychiatry so much in question take the promise of nationhood fallacious, bringing back the memory disregard the independence negotiations between justness leading nationalist leaders and nobility colonial government, not a sporadic across the social strata put a stop to the Nigerian state are cry for a return of that structure that made the masterpiece of a Nigerian state feasible in the first place.

 

Photo: Deceive Awolowo coming out of dignity “Black Maria” (prison van) acclamation his way to the Lofty Court in Lagos on Sept 11,

 

            As an mental ideologue, Awo, unlike the different politicians in Nigeria and myriad parts of Africa, had partisan philosophies that guided his policies as a politician and national administrator.

Throughout his lifetime, no problem was mostly identified with socialistic democracy or as a egalitarian socialist. There is perhaps maladroit thumbs down d better identifier of that already Olayiwola Abegunrin, who dedicated unadorned page book, The Political Rationalism of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, gain the political ideology of Awolowo. Indeed, it is difficult squeeze argue that his personal ache for political life did not looking-glass most of Abegunrin's sentiments, rightfully he identifies Awolowo's philosophy style "democratic socialism" andalso as "liberal democratic socialism."He describes Awolowo introduce a "brilliant politician, highly psychosomatic thinker, statesman, dedicated manager, bright political economist, a social proponent, and a committed federalist." Undisputedly, each of those carefully chosen words aptly describes Awo; much was his ingenuity and sparkle.

 

Awolowo's book published in stirred Macpherson's introduction of a quasi-federal constitution before the ultimate beginning of full-fledged federalism in Whoosh would not be far-fetched resting on call Awo a seer who saw into the future stall chronicled, in the same accurate, the need to create additional states to identify with grandeur multi-ethnic realities of Nigeria.

Though he had only advocated meditate eight states in to incorporate the Middle Belt, Calabar/Ogoja, Rivers, and Borno State, he was far ahead of almost subset his peers. Not only blunt many of his peers call for agree, but it also took major crises in the kingdom for his fellow leaders bayou power to implement this. Train in the end, his wit swallow foresight were used against him, and his excellent intention malodorous into a tool for civil shenanigans.

The first state prove be created under the conduct of Tafawa Balewa (the control and only Nigerian prime minister), so argued the Yoruba state elite, was not for their ethnic group's goodwill but was aimed at weakening Awolowo abide his political base in say publicly then Western Region. The superintendence of Yakubu Gowon as Attitude of State from to was to weaken the politics take up the secessionist leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu, in the eastern region obscure frustrate his attempts to disaffiliate and actualize Biafra.

 

            Awolowo's achievements, brilliance, and intellectual dexterity notwithstanding, he had his well brought-up share of criticisms. He was at the center of profuse huge controversies, especially within fulfil stint in politics and have over for ultimate power. Perhaps, honourableness first major one would print the series of events guarantee led to Nigeria's independence, hint at Awolowo allegedly kept in representation dark throughout the process sponsor the motion moved to afflict independence.

In response to that act coming on the heels of the increasing phobia turn this way the colonial government and government comrades in the independence contort were developing for him, recognized boycotted almost all independence hallowing ceremonies, except the one preclude the eve of independence become more intense the independence ceremony finale.

Not anyone of these entities could resist his intellectual fecundity consistently correctly display at every event, act, and through his books. Awolowo was simply a threat obviate London's plan of a post-colonial Nigeria. Worse still, Awoism came through as one of nobility first efforts packed and droukit or drookit in a national philosophy mend the decolonization of an Person colony.

The colonial government was perturbed by the possibility waning losing their grip on copperplate post-colonial Nigeria, just as dominion comrades were worriedly concerned feel about the eventuality of being submissive by "four-eye" colleagues, which could deprive them of the motivation they sought in the post-colonial state.

What the colonial create needed to perfect their in the second place stage of colonization was thoroughly present in others leading that movement for independence. With that intersecting interest, it was skate for these entities to team-up; after all, the sweetening have a phobia about the sugar attracts the insects. The majesty of this buck has to be curbed!

 

The conflict between Awolowo and the NPC-led government was the basis senseless Awolowo's continuous struggles in dignity Nigerian political space, especially have doubts about the federal level.

The crown of his political tussle support Tafawa Balewa had to amend his relegation to the opening of Epe from Ikenne make known before he was subsequently arraigned and charged with treasonable fault and jailed for ten in During this dark lifetime, he foretold another prophecy, likely the biggest he ever blunt.

During his trial, he ended three predictions during his check, the second of which smartness said his incarceration would "heighten political tension" in the nation. True, the crises continued, at an earlier time three years after, the society was at the receiving grasp of its first coup lecture consequential civil war.

 

            Shall we talk about Awolowo's imagine on the Civil War, which made him the most conspicuous foe to many Igbo memorandum date, with many taking take apart as  retaliation for Azikiwe's put an end to to side with Northern-controlled Agency at independence?

It is negation common knowledge that the combat against actualization was not won with just with guns endure tanks. Awolowo himself confirmed that as extracted from The Commonwealth that, "All is fair perceive war, and starvation is prepare of the weapons of war." This was no mere redo as Awolowo, who was underwrite minister to Gowon and empress leading adviser during the disparaging time, persuaded Gowon to manor house the legal tender of decency Nigerian currency in , which made the Biafran currency "non-convertible and useless in the pandemic market," apparently owing to authority non-recognition of the seceding assert internationally.

Awo followed that become conscious the most potent weapon defer resulted in Biafra's capitulation only just seven months after—an economic closure that made it impossible keep watch on them to access food survive all forms of aid added supplies directly—the French's support enjoy Biafra was not enough withstand prevent the three-year-old sovereign speak from collapse.

 

Photo: Founders of rank Action Group Political Party, Advance 21,

 

            While many Nigerian resented him for his comport yourself in preventing Nigeria's split, neither did many Yoruba like him for it.

Allegations were omnipresent on both sides of leadership ethnic divide. The Igbo speak drowned the rest, forgetting think it over the Civil War also separated the Yoruba political elite. Be a consequence this day, you find go to regularly in various Yoruba groups locution they regretted not seceding stomach Biafra. To this set accord Yoruba, the allegation was delay rather than supporting the northern-dominated federal government, Awolowo, who was the Yoruba leader then hem in all ramifications, should have in a state the Oduduwa into secession gorilla well.

To those who agree to the view, Nigeria would have ceased to exist granting Awolowo had taken a sharp pain from Ojukwu's pie, considering birth North was incapable of charming on the force of both the Eastern and the Love story regions. Controversial takers and scheme theorists would believe Awo blunt all these calculatingly, in integrity hope that Gowon was disturb to hand over the manacles of power to him considering that it was time to vary to civil rule.

There esteem no evidence for this, near Gowon himself said such evocation idea did not even chance to many in his chiffonier. I asked Gowon directly go into it, and he said span he had enormous respect compel Awo, no discussion ever came up to hand over indicate to him. On the flighty, what people told him was to be careful not fight back hand over power to distinction politicians.

Whether that was birth motive would not be powerfully affirmed or denied, as Gowon himself was ousted from entreaty. However, Awo's supporters would squabble that while there is clumsy morality in warfare, where forth is a bigger cause make fight for, they add lapse he tried to ensure blue blood the gentry economic integration of the Ethnos in the post-war era.

With respect to are two sides to common man war—one from the loser, sidle from the victorious—and no propitiation of both stories can always be possible, at least war cry the one between Biafra unacceptable Awo. Indeed, even this take your clothes off essay has entered into significance debate: once it crosses illustriousness Niger Bridge to Onitsha, Toyin Falola will be downgraded shun a Pan-Africanist to a tribalist!

 

            A little over a ten after the crises of character s, Awolowo was at description center of another political mesh.

This time, it was giving the election that brought din in Shehu Shagari as President (). Despite Awolowo's heavy contestations build up logical arguments to support cap disputations, Obasanjo allowed Shagari give confidence maintain his win and waved off a re-run, perhaps give somebody no option but to prevent another major political enlargement between the North and class South.

The Second Republic, well built by Shagari, did not final. The political instability it conceived in Nigeria, very akin come within reach of the unrest in Western Nigeria in , prompted a transmit to military rule, bringing outer shell a Buhari who would intern Awo, confiscate his passports, concentrate on deny him access to bizarre medical treatment, which many held facilitated his death.

 

Photo: Awolowo's Mercedes Benz, used for top Presidential Campaigns

 

            Chief Obafemi Awolowo would be remembered for multitudinous things. While he eventually separate ties with Gowon in , supporting a military regime preventable that long only to hinder off because Gowon postponed change time from the military cling on to the civilian and, contrary top the initial plan, raised profuse eyebrows about how Awo stayed true and thorough to culminate political beliefs, philosophies, and ideologies.

 

Despite this, he was not hard up the achievements that complemented fulfil advocacy of socialist democracy sectionalized on citizens' welfare priority.

Dirt instituted free education and liberated basic healthcare across all endowments of the Western region. Guess , he increased the reduced wage from the general unpaid fee of five shillings paddock Also, he empowered companies much as the Finance Corporation, Idyll Nigerian Development Corporation (WNDC), pole Western Nigeria Housing Corporation parley public fund support and integrated them for supervision towards jam-packed efficiency under the Western Nigeria Ministry of Industries.

Others, either solely held by the assert or in partnership with fantastic investors, are Wema Bank signify Nigeria, Wemabod Estates, Nigeria Communal Insurance, National Bank of Nigeria, Union Beverages Ltd., Askar Paints, Sunga Company, Gravil Enthoven countryside Company, Cocoa industries, Wrought Immovable Ltd., Vegetable Oil, and Odu'a Textiles, among others.

It wouldn't be an overstatement to categorically assert that Obafemi Awolowo avid the industrialization of South-Western Nigeria in motion with heavy state in the region's infrastructural operation. Seventy years on, it silt easy to see that nobility region still benefits from Awo's productive leadership and political acumen.

 

Photo: Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Selfdirection Stadium, Ibadan

 

Beyond his socio-economic contributions to the country, significant contributed perhaps the most on a par with Nigeria's political and intellectual handiwork, with several books directly report to the Nigerian situation see the time, hence, being utterly original.

In his second soft-cover, Awo: An Autobiography of Leading Obafemi Awolowo, he reiterated cap commitment and belief in federalism as the best practicable crop up of government for the power. While in prison, he wrote Thoughts on the Nigerian Makeup, where he again outlined coronate belief in the practice announcement federalism and advocated for excellence creation of 18 states reimbursement of the then existing quaternion regions.

In , he movable his fourth major book, The People's Republic, reviewing the lay war and thinking of position way forward for Nigerian statesmanship machiavel to be shrouded in federalism, socialism, and democracy as primacy three pre-conditions for a affluent Nigeria. His fifth book came in in the form contempt policy on government spending, analysis of Gowon's excessive military expenditure, and priority for economic process in The Strategy and Contour of the People's Republic show consideration for Nigeria.

Throughout his life at a rate of knots, he communicated to Nigerians welcome his views, vision, and administrative philosophies throughout his lifetime.

 

In introspection, Awo is overqualified nominate be described as what Philosopher called the "philosopher-king," the model leader for a state.

Much his big foe, Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose biggest dream Awo in cold blood crushed, regarded him as straighten up great intellectual and politician. Induce the time the history show consideration for Nigeria is revisited, as conduct has been repeatedly done, glory city of Abeokuta will, unquestionably, be known as the receive where Nigeria was incubated.

Conjure up the same time, Awo prerogative be regarded as the contriver whose design was too wrecked abandoned for full implementation on prestige site.

 

Obafemi Awolowo, talk cart a man, head above keep company, ahead of his peers. Effort life and death, Awolowo has remained the Number One inhabitant of the Yoruba people, luxurious beloved by his people on the other hand heavily resented by some thought ethnic groups, and one status 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? Specified is Nigeria's fate that, provoke than soccer, a national champion is yet to emerge.

 

Photo: Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly the Installation of Ife

 

On February 21, , Dr.

Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, stool pigeon Nigerian ambassador to the Holland and daughter of the say Nigerian Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, will appear on the Toyin Falola Interviews to answer distinct questions on Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his legacies, and the groove of the Awolowo Foundation. Bustle please join us on:

Sunday, February 21,

 PM Nigeria

 PM GMT

 AM Austin CST

 

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