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Chief Festus Sam Okotie-eboh: Nigeria`s Most Flamboyant Politician / What Is Wrong With This Picture Of Festus Okotie-eboh / The Truth About 1966 Gradually Coming Out.okotie Eboh Not Shot Either. (2) (3) (4)
Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by Input(m): 7:54pm On Feb 19, 2013 |
BY JULIUS OWEH The greatness of a nation is the collective product of the greatness of her citizens. Among the citizenry are people propelled by patriotic and nationalistic zeal to push the frontiers of development through industry and maximal use of their resources. It is a fitting tribute that the first generation of politicians neatly falls into that unique category. Unfortunately, the January 1966 coup cut short the towering dreams of such people. This was the golden era of political evolution of the country with the great Zik of Africa, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh and Chief Anthony Enahoro holding the political forte in Lagos and telling the British colonial masters that their brains were not smarter than those of Nigerians. Historians and political scientists would continue to pontificate on the achievements of these great men and the benefits or otherwise of military incursion into the politics of the nation. But one thing is clear. That the hand of development was taken aback and the nation is yet to recover from it despite what revisionist historians would say about that unfortunate military incursion. Thus last week, in the hallow chambers of the House of Representatives, the ghost of that January 1666 coup came to remind us that the nation is yet to fully recognise the patriotic service of one of the illustrious sons of the nation. I am talking about Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, the first Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Moving an emotion laden motion on the life and times of Okotie-Eboh, the member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Honourable Daniel Reyenieyu lamented that it was only Okotie-Eboh among the first generation of politicians that does not have an institution named after him. He, therefore, called on the federal government to name any of the federal universities after him. The motion was seconded by Honourable Idris Kutigi. Honourable Reyenieyu said that he would not want to believe that Okotie- Eboh was not so honoured because of his minority status. The honourable member said that Okotie-Eboh as the first Finance Minister was instrumental in the establishment of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and that the Nigerian pound was produced under his charge. Listen to his emotions: `Okotie-Eboh represented Warri Federal Constituency. In short he was my predecessor. Of all those that were killed during the coup, Okotie-Eboh is the only Nigerian that had not been immortalised. Okotie- Eboh had the opportunity to escape but refused to do that, instead he was repeatedly asking the security men “where is my boss, the prime minister“ before he was assassinated. Even the policeman who recovered the bodies of both the prime minister and the finance minister is still alive but very old.` The motion is a sad reminder to Nigerians that those who fought for justice and fair play today are victims of injustice and discrimination. The honourable member has stroke the embers of a very sad chapter of our history and it is now left for the present generation of leaders to do the right thing by naming one of the universities or international airports after this nation’s illustrious son. It would be recalled that the late Okotie-Eboh in establishing a secondary school in Sapele, Delta State named it Zik Academy after the first president of the nation. He had the opportunity to name it after himself but the nationalistic flavour would not allow him to do that. That is why the executive arm of government should listen to the resolution of the House of Representatives as regards giving due honour to Okotie-Eboh for he paid the supreme price for the nation. It is true that there is Okotie-Eboh Grammar School in Sapele, but that really diminishes the man`s stature as a towering national figure. It would not be out of place for the present Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to listen to the voice of reason coming from the House of Representatives. It is fitting tribute that Okonjo-Iweala is also from Delta State and it would not be asking too much of her to put her weight behind the motion of the honourable member. The Delta State House of Assembly should take further that legislative initiative by passing a similar resolution in the house and embark upon aggressive lobby at the federal level. Those who have institutions named after them and their pictures adorning our currency are not greater that the great Okotie-Eboh. Okotie-Eboh brought finenesse and style to politics in the 1950s and 1960s. He carved a niche for himself by his high style of debate in the House and his mode of dressing that caught the attention and imagination of the British press. His flowing wrapper with a personal aide carrying part of it was repudiation of the notion that a gentleman then was only known by wearing dark suits from Liverpool. But beyond that, his sense of patriotism and service was unequalled and there are still testimonies to that effect today. In honouring Okotie-Eboh, the present crop of politicians would realise that there is enormous joy in serving one`s fatherland. There is practically no justification for denying the first finance minister his place in history. The truth is that a sauce for the goose is also a sauce for the gander. The ball is in the court of the federal government. On the part of Delta State Government, apart from the legislative arm embarking on aggressive campaign to immortalize Okotie-Eboh, the government can also set the ball rolling. The Delta State government can name the state university or one of the colleges of education after him. Make no mistake about it; some people may now say that we are trying to localize a great leader. But what can we do since the federal government is not willing to honour one of our forebears. This argument can only make sense if the federal government in deed and in truth listens to the legislative pleas of Honourable Daniel Reyenieyu and truly treat Okotie-Eboh as the true hero and nationalist that he is. This is not time for ethnic sentiments. The man was a great leader in the league of Ahmadu Bello, the great Zik of Africa and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. If the trio are so honoured and revered, there is no reason in the whole wide world why the great Festus Okotie- Eboh should not be immortalized. |
Re: Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by Nobody: 7:55pm On Feb 19, 2013 |
NO! |
Re: Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by Input(m): 8:00pm On Feb 19, 2013 |
Source thepointernewsonline.com/?p=16348 |
Re: Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by Input(m): 8:02pm On Feb 19, 2013 |
0lumide: NO!How I wish I am a mod...ban is an understatement! |
Re: Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by homerac7: 11:43pm On Feb 19, 2013 |
isnt same Okotie-eboh the first popular corrupt public figure who got himself nickname of "10%"? i guess in another 40 years, Bode George and Maina people too will be pushing for their sons to get national recognition. Late Okotie-eboh will be happier if his family will stop fighting over his estate from stolen national wealth he abruptly left behind over 40 years ago. |
Re: Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by T9ksy(m): 1:01am On Feb 20, 2013 |
HELL,NO!!! |
Re: Immortalizing Late Chief Festus Okotie-eboh by astar2008(m): 11:41am On Feb 20, 2013 |
As far as i am aware he was one the Most Corrupt Ministers of the First Republic, as was partly the reason for the first Military coup in Nigeria. The Senators should have thought more carefully before raising this request. This clearly send out the wrong message which is "it is Ok to be Corrupt as you can expexct to be immortalized in Future". |
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