Adedara S. Oduguwa - Chief Obafemi Awolowo: The Political Moses

CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO:

THE POLITICAL MOSES

ADEDARA S. ODUGUWA

Imagine that we had no visionary leaders like Awo, I wont stand before you today. My father had several children, they didnt have the opportunity I had because by the time I was born, Awo started free primary education who remembers Awo for the houses he builtDr. Tunde Bakare, Pastor and 2011 presidential running-mate of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (CPC), Nigeria.

... The chronicle review of a true humanists diary . . .

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Copyright 2012 Adedara S. Oduguwa.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

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ISBN: 978-1-4669-2947-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-2949-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-2948-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012907102

Trafford rev. 07/09/2012

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Contents

To my diamond, deputy maker, and father,

Chief Kofoworola Oduguwa

Chief Awolowo left an educational legacy that empowered a cross-section of people of Western Nigeria and still firmly remembered as the pillar for their development till today. From Primary schools built with very limited funds and high graded secondary schools to the first regional University of Ife now named after him, Babas vision of knowledge-driven future for his people was astounding. I benefited greatly from his vision and strongly hope that his principles and policies can be further advanced. Professor Paul Olomolaiye, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, University of the West of England, United Kingdom.

Imagine that we had no visionary leaders like Awo, I wont stand before you today. My father had several children, they didnt have the opportunity I had because by the time I was born, Awo started free primary education who remembers Awo for the houses he built Dr. Tunde Bakare, Pastor and 2011 presidential running-mate of

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (CPC), Nigeria.

Awolowo was as much a political colossus as he was an Enigma; with a robust popularity and personality that is yet to be equalled by another politician from Yoruba land. His capacity for work and dedication to the pursuit of service and improved quality of life for his people was legendary. Like all mortals, he had his faults but they were dimmed and nearly beclouded by his sheer goodness . Omooba Dr. Doyin Okupe, Politician, Former Adviser on Media and Publicity, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adedara Oduguwas Chief Obafemi AwolowoThe Political Moses brilliantly and succinctly presents an expository of a foremost Nigerian statesman who passionately spent the greater part of his lifetime struggling to bring order and meaning into the political terrain of Nigeria. It is a bold and laudable narration of the many struggles of a highly disciplined Nigerian who not only introduced Free Education and Free Medical Services (of which this writer is a beneficiary) but also stimulated socio-economic development across the Nigerian nation. Undoubtedly, the Chief Awolowo, like the biblical Moses, had a high calling. He came, he saw the sufferings of the people and was determined to lead them to the Promised Land but the same people denied him the opportunity by not casting their votes for him through the ballot box. The account of this political Moses as presented in this fine book appears simple but the challenges faced by the Late Chief were complex and daunting. The author is frank in stating the fact that Chief Awolowos leadership virtues have even been more popularised long after his death, than was the case while alive. To the readers the book has one important lesson to impart: those who aspire to become great leaders must not only have great vision; they should aim to shoot at a star. If they miss the targeted star, they would at least land on the moon. The book is a must read. Professor Patrick O. Yalokwu, Author, Fundamentals of Management, Nigeria.

What kind of book is this? A biography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo? No, not quite!... A eulogy? Yesa well documented write-up for a man he (Adedara) and many see as a man of vision, a man of great achievements and a role model. A book of precepts? Yes, lots of them to guide younger ones, in hard work, in politics and life generally. A person, I believe is truly great, by his actions, his victories in life, his struggles and the clean and dignified way he fought those battles. Finally, a truly great man also leaves behind him thoughts that continue to inspire, to guide and to produce good results. In all these, Chief Awolowo, the subject of this book, more qualifies to be called a great leader. And the young writer (Adedara Oduguwa) has in him the seeds of greatness as a writer, leader and an achiever. Professor B.A. Babalola, Dean, Students Affairs, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria.

In September 1951, I entered the University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) as an undergraduate. The Nigerian march towards independence in October 1 st 1960 happened before our very eyes. Obafemi Awolowo, born March 6, 1909 died on May 9, 1987 was a politician and a patriot. His father died in April 1920 when he was barely 11years old. He trained himself to study law (1944 to 1946) with funds provided by his wife whom he described as jewel of inestimable value. He attributed his successes in life to three things; the grace of God, a good wife and Spartan self-discipline.

Using the Action Group as a political instrument which he founded with seven men of like minds; he stepped into the Nigerian political arena in 1952 with a programme which made him a pace-setter in every area of governance. As premier of the western Region of Nigeria, he took revolutionary steps to Nigerianize and improves the Western Nigeria Civil Service (WNCS). He declared to achieve within five years a striking firsts in the history of Africa. Between 1954 and 1959, his government introduced the; first free primary education programme in Africa, first free medical service programme in Nigeria for children up to the ages of eighteen, first television station in Africa, first modern sports facility in Nigeria (Liberty Stadium); introduced and successfully implemented the first minimum-wage policy in Nigeria.

The Action Group years were really the most glorious years of Chief Awolowo politically. Subsequently, mounting opposition and intrigues not from the other political parties-NPC and NCNCbut from internal dissension within the party. Additionally, there was opposition from British officials who were to wind up the imperial lordship. This is obvious from the official records that have just become available from the Colonial Office in the public domain .Emeritus Professor Muyiwa Awe, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.