Those of us placed in a position of leadership must be prepared to grasp the nettle if we unite in doing so, and if, in addition, we set a worthy example and a marat on pace in probity, unselfishness, and self-sacrifice, the people will follow, all too readily, in our footsteps.
– Chief Obafemi Awolowo
First and foremost, I will start with a big thank you to the organizers of this program for inviting me to talk on the legacy of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and South West’s journey to self-sufficiency.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was not just a foremost public intellectual and public visionary; he was Nigeria’s most prolific statesman as yet. Born on March 6, 1909 to a farmer in the pastoral town of Ikenne in Nigeria’s Western region, Chief Awolowo faced many daunting challenges but he rose from grass to grace to become the Premier of Western Region in 1954.
From the days of anti-colonial struggles to his leadership as premier of the western region and as commissioner of finance during the tumultuous era of the civil war, Chief Awolowo championed the noblest ideals that brought unprecedented development to the people. He was a leader who believed that Nigeria’s resources should be channeled into education and state-led infrastructure development.
Controversially, and at considerable expense, he introduced free primary education for all in the Western Region. To him, education is a tool for social, democratic and economic development and national integration. Till date, the free education program is widely acknowledged as the singular policy that placed the Yoruba nation may years above other regions in the country.
His administration built the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, which was the first of its kind in Africa; the WNTV, the first television station in Africa; constructed the first skyscraper in tropical Africa: the Cocoa House, among others. He also expanded electrification projects in the region using proceeds from the highly lucrative cocoa export industry.
In 1959, he resigned from his position as premier of Western region and went to represent his people at the federal assembly where he became leader of the official opposition. For his welfare policies, which included free education, and his left-leaning but superior politics, Chief Awolowo was very popular among the Yoruba in western Nigeria. He was however unpopular with the nation’s ruling party, the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).
As Federal Commissioner of Finance under the Military Government of General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Awolowo coined the name naira for Nigeria’s currency and astutely managed the country’s economy throughout the period of the Nigerian civil war. He was never quite able to function as effectively on the national stage as he did among his own Yoruba people but he continued to make significant inputs to the development of the nation. For his strong desire to extend his welfare policies to the entire country and effect a change at the centre, he decided to contest for elections at the national level. Although, he was denied the opportunity to realize his vision for Nigeria, he remains “one of the most cherished philosophers and political thinkers that Africa has ever produced” and was aptly described as the “the best president Nigeria never had.”
His involvement in politics at the centre notwithstanding, Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains a great leader who the entire South West of Nigeria, especially the Yoruba people, will forever be proud of.
THE CONCEPT OF LADERSHIP IN THE SOUTH WEST
“There are men, who, by their sympathetic attractions, carry nations with them and lead the activities of the human race.”
-Emerson, “Power: The conduct of the Life”
To the Yoruba people of South West, Nigeria ‘the glory of the moon is from heaven. Leaders are appointed by the gods to represent them (the gods) on earth. Hence power, whether political or economic, is greatly associated with ‘Ori’ (destiny) and no man can, by his own strong will or the will of others, change his destiny.
For the Yorubas therefore, whenever the need arises, God (Eledumare) will raise a leader from among them. This leader will either liberate the people or chart a victorious path for them: From Oduduwa, the progenitor of the race, to Oranmiyan who expanded the Yoruba territory, to Moremi Ajasoro, the strong woman who remains the symbol of liberty for the Yoruba people. In 1830, when the Fulani marauders appeared set to capture the Yorubaland after their conquest of Ilorin, Balogun Oderinlo, the great warrior from Ibadan emerged as an unexpected leader. He led the Yoruba army in the onslaught against the Fulanis and defeated them in the Eleduwa war. Since that time, the aggressive power of the Fulanis in Ilorin to wage war against the Yorubas has been broken.
Before Obafemi Awolowo, there was Herbert Macaulay in Lagos who stood firmly in support of Eleko, the king of Lagos against his planned dethronement by the British. During his time, Awolowo had many intellectual and political protégés, who continued with his welfare policies of free education, free health care and other developmental programmes. Today, the easiest way to be accepted by the people of South West Nigeria for any political post is to identify with Awoism and a promise to keep the legacy of the late sage alive.
Others who have emerged as leaders of the Yorubas and contributed to the development of the region are:
Chief Bola Ige, the Cicero of Esa-Oke who was one of Chief Awolowo’s protégés. He was assassinated in his home in Ibadan before he could actualize his dream for the Yoruba race.
Chief Abraham Adesanya, leader of Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba cultural group.
Aare Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, (MKO). The billionaire businessman who was made the Aare-Ona-Kakanfo, Generalissimo of the Yorubas by the Alaafin of Oyo. He contested and won the presidential election in 1992 but his election was annulled by the military. He fought to regain his mandate but he was arrested and detained by the military. He later died in detention under very suspicious circumstances.
JOURNEY TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The journey to self-sufficiency started years ago with Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s welfare policies.
Education
The South West has the highest number of educated men and women in different professions and with leadership qualities. These men and women are blessed with ideas, valour, economic and political acumen and also capable enough to take the region to greater heights.
Security
With the creation of a new security outfit code-named ‘Operation Amotekun’ by states in the South West, the region is better positioned to fight crime and face external aggression, especially from Fulani herdsmen.
Agriculture
There should be an agricultural revolution in the region through the creation of farm settlements in many hinterlands of the region, which will not only engender abundance but also made prosperity for all possible.
Economics
Infrastructure
Mineral Resources
Health
Rural integration
And lots more…
The DAWN project should be supported and funded so that it can come up with more development programmes for the region to develop at its own pace without hindrances or obstacle from the center or other regions.
Thank you.
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Being a paper presented by Barr. Tunji Bamishigbin, a respected thespian and lawyer, at the maiden edition of Freelanews Leadership Session on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 11a.m
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