Awo’s centenary: Honour for an undying philosopher
By MUDIAGA AFFE
Published: Monday, 9 Mar 2009
culled from The Punch
(http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200903092223468)

The build-up to the Obafemi Awolowo centenary which held last Friday perfectly illustrates the influence the late Premier of the defunct Western Region still wields in the affairs of the country, especially in the South-West geo-political zone. MUDIAGA AFFE, who followed the events leading to Friday’s celebration in Ikenne, Ogun State, reports.
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Obafemi Awolowo



Even during his lifetime when he bestrode the political terrain like a Colossus, it was doubtful if the sleepy Ikenne town, Ogun State ever hosted such a huge crowd. The centenary in honour of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo held in his home town on Friday brought life back to the town which had produced one of Africa’s most revered political philosophers.

It was expected that the town would host such a crowd of eminent political gladiators especially in the South-West part of Nigeria. Awolowo brought colour to politics in the defunct Western Region the development of which has continued to be a reference point by those who clamour for good governance. Since he departed on May 9, 1987, the political family he left had struggled to maintain his legacy even with frictions that had wedged apart some of his most ardent followers.

In a way, it was a day members of the warring political groups who lay claims to being Awolowo’s disciples forgot their differences, albeit, temporarily in order to give their political hero his honour.

Of course, the uniform Ankara outfit chosen for the celebration was enough to show that it was not a day for members of the opposing camps of Afenifere to exhibit their differences.

Those following the politics of the zone especially in the last few months would readily say that the celebration that brought together the likes of former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; leaders of the two factions of the socio-political organisation, Afenifere, would expect that politics would be in the air.

But as it turned out, many of them were ready to tuck inside, the colour of division which had defined politics of the socio-political group in the last few years.

But then, issues surrounding the life and times of the late sage will continue to take the front burner in national discourse. Not just because he was the Premier of the defunct Western Region, but because decades after he left the scene, the policies and programmes he introduced in the Western Region still remain unprecedented.

Twice every year, events to mark his birth on March 6, and his demise on May 9, had served as constant reminders of his life and times to his numerous ardent followers.

Awolowo’s name in Nigeria is compared to the likes of Mahatma Gandhi of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and a host of others who are believed to have contributed immensely to the development of the countries through their innovative policies.

Born on March 6, 1909, Awolowo would have been 100 years if he were alive in 2009. But even at death, events have shown that he is even more popular at death.

There had been a build up to last Friday’s event. On January 29, at the, Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief H.I.D Awolowo, led her children, family members, friends, associates to commence the centenary celebration.

The event, which was chaired by former head of states, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, had in attendance the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; his Ogun State counterpart, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Olusola Obada; Chief Olusegun Awolowo, former Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

Others were Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Supo Shonibare, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfewa, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Prince Bola Ajibola, among others.

At that event, the clamour was for government at both the states and federal level, to revisit the policies and programmes of Awolowo while he was the Premier of the Western Region.

Fashola, who spoke at the event, said that the greatest honour that could be given to the late politician was to listen to his immortal words as he spoke from the grave.

Fashola stated that policies formulated by Awolowo in 1950s were still relevant in today’s governance, calling on leaders to share from them.

According to him, Awolowo’s policies on taxation was an idea the present administration in Lagos State believed in while his policy that cocoa windfall should be distributed to regional government then, was being used by the present state governments to get their shares of the oil windfall.

He stated that the greatest legacy of Awolowo was in his public works, adding that his foresight was extremely challenging.

Fashola had said, “Let us look at the Cocoa House, the first television in Africa, the Liberty Stadium, the University of Ife, various industrial estates, his policy on education and health. I personally share the optimism of the late sage. I personally owe him unquantifiable gratitude. His contribution goes beyond Lagos. He is greater in death than in life.

“As we are faced with the impact of a global recession in 2009, and how to manage our recent oil boom and the role of government as regards taxation, budget implementation, Awolowo had dealt with all of these issues over 50 years ago.”

Fashola drew the attention of the audience to a speech on the Appropriation Ordinance given in the House of Representatives, Lagos on March 15, 1952 while discussing the budget, when Awolowo said, “On the revenue side, one outstanding feature of the government policy is reflected on that side of the budget. The policy of the government is totally dominated by extreme and unwarranted caution, conservatism and traditional street-beggar economy… A street-beggar sits alongside the road and waits for fortune to smile on him. He gets what he can from the passer-by, and thereafter, he tries to adjust his expenditure to his uncertain sources of income.”

According to Fashola, these words, uttered in 1952, are no less true today about how Nigerians have been reticent in managing vast oil resources for over nine years, and the country is now unsure of what will happen because the resources have dwindled.

In the same speech, he propounded the principle of “maximum social advantage” as what should guide the making and implementation of any budget.

In the same vein, Osotimehin, who represented President Umaru Yar’Adua, at the event also eulogised the free education programme of Awolowo, saying he was a beneficiary of the policy.

He said, “I was one of the first set of pupils who enjoyed free education in 1955. Today, I stand up ahead of others through Awolowo’s free education policy.

Reading the President’s speech, Osotimehin said Awolowo was a colossus, a democratic and visionary leader.

He said, “Awolowo was a precious gift to Nigeria. After his demise, we recognise that he stood up for the advancement of the people. He was known for his discipline. His policies were a benchmark for transformation even as the nation works towards sustainable economy. He had left an indelible foot prints.”

Also, Gowon, who was the chairman of the event, described Awolowo as an undisputed leader of the Yoruba race, adding, “Chief Awolowo was a leader no one can equal.”

Gowon said he learnt many things from the late politician including his free education policy.

On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, Soyinka, had led a group of discussants on the same Awolowo through the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation centenary lecture series, where he delivered a lecture titled, “Between Nationhood and Nation Space.”

According to Soyinka, when Awolowo referred to Nigeria as a mere ‘geographical expression, many people understood exactly what he meant, and agreed with his position, others declared that this choice of expression did give some serious food for thought and that it constituted a challenge to turn aspiration into reality while others simply went into a denial seizure.

Soyinka said, “To accept the possibility that the space designated Nigeria had not yet attained nation reality meant hard work, a determination of mind and energy. It implied the exertion of intelligence, the bond of collective desire and the ethics of inclusion. A nation is brought into being through the political – and inclusive - will of its citizens, not through mere naming.”

After pondering exhaustively on the comments Awolowo made so many years ago, Soyinka concluded his lecture by saying, “Is Nigeria a nation today? My answer is: Not yet. Is Nigeria aspiring to be a nation? The answer: Unsure. Can it? Possibly! Should it? My answer to that is absolutely non-sentimental, purely technical and subjective: I prefer not to have to apply for yet another visa when I need to travel to Enugu or Borno.

“If it is any consolation – let us simply remember – we are not alone in this predicament. So, for now, we may continue to sleep, dream, open our eyes at dawn on the recurring vision of nationhood on the horizon, hopefully not receding, indeed, almost close to touch, requiring only the complete surrender of hegemonic dreams, the ethos of inclusivity, the recognition of religious privacy, community primacy, and the manifested will of the authentic landowners of – a designated nation space.”

One of the groups that have continued to prick the conscience of today’s leaders about the vision of Awolowo is the Afenifere Renewal Group.

ARG, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, noted that even when the massive industrial and infrastructural initiatives of Awolowo still dot the landscapes, although dilapidated, there are no new structures to justify the leap in revenue.

He said while some of the roads Awolowo built in 1955 are still motorable in some communities, many of the roads constructed in less than a year ago have been neatly washed away by rains.

Those who had spoken at the different events to mark the centenary had harped on the need for today’s leaders to emulate Awolowo.

There is no doubt that his policies and programmes still pose great challenges to the leaders at the various arms of government. Those who spoke at the different ends would wish the governments at various levels begin to use the development templates of the late Awolowo as their guiding principles.