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From left: The late Chief Awolowo, Dr Azikiwe, Alhaji Balewa, Dr E. M. Endeley and Alhaji Bello at the constitutional conference in London before the Independence in 1960.
Nigerians are so obsessed with political title chasers that they continue to be their ass lickers without asking for their achievements and legacies to posterity?
A political title is not a legacy.
Who remembers the past Presidents of the Nigerian Senate; Dennis Osadebay (1960-1963
NCNC); Nwafor Orizu (1963–1966 NCNC) and Joseph Wayas (1979–1983 NPN)?
How many past senators and representatives do Nigerians remember?
The greatest Nigerian political philosopher, Chief Ọbáfẹ́mi Awólọ́wọ̀; GCFR ( 6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987), was the first Premier of the Western Region and one of the founding fathers of the independence of modern Nigeria. He never became the President or Prime Minister, but he achieved more than the Right Honourable Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; P.C. (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), who was Governor General of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966 and the Right Honourable, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; P.C.(December 1912 – 15 January 1966) who was the only Prime Minister of Nigeria.
In fact, no other President and Head of State has the outstanding legacies of the great Yoruba sage till date in the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations in the world.
He was the first African political office holder to introduce free primary education for all and free health care for children which he launched as the Premier of the Western Region; he established the first television service in Africa in 1959 and the most prolific author among political leaders in the world with over nine books on contemporary political leadership, democracy and good governance.
- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
