Revisiting The Biography Of Chief Awolowo With Nostalgia presents a nostalgic biography of the enduringly great political icon, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo was a lawyer, author and politician of repute.
He was the former Premier of the Western Region and the leader of the Action Group and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Before the establishment of these parties, he founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa.
Overview
Chief Awolowo as called during his time, was also popularly and widely known as ’Awo.’ He played a prominent political role during the ‘First and Second Republics’ and Nigerian ‘Civil War’ which claimed the lives of many Nigerians.
His intellectual and calculated involvement in the formation of modern Nigeria earned him honour, prestige and a seat among the founding fathers of Nigeria.
Chief Awolowo is today, remembered for the role he played in the nationalist movement in Africa which led to various social, and economic reforms, and of course, self-governance.
Childhood
Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo was born to David Sopolu Awolowo and Efunyela Awolowo on the 6th of March, 1909 in Ikenne, a town in present-day Ogun State. He lost his Dad at the age of ten years old.
At the time of his birth, his hometown was part of the Western Region in British Nigeria.
He was born in a small community in Ikenne Ogun State, attended various mission schools in the towns of Ikenne, Abeokuta and Ibadan, and subsequently worked in various set-ups to see himself through higher education.
His first political involvement and experience came when he joined the youth movement of that period. Having graduated from the University, he proceeded to London, England, to obtain a law degree.
Following his graduation from law school in England, he became involved in the Nationalist Movement for independence or self-rule by founding trade Unions and Action Group political party which eventually represented the Western region of Nigeria.
Shortly after becoming the premier of the Western Region, he was arrested and imprisoned for sedition. He was known for his sagacity, courage and foresightedness. Upon being released from detention, he held various important positions.
He wrote many books on the politics of Nigeria which brought him enormous successes and recognitions.
Career
Obafemi Awolowo started as a teacher in Abeokuta, then moved on as a shorthand typist and subsequently, as a clerk at ‘Wesley College, Ibadan. He later became a Nigerian Times correspondent.
He joined the ‘Nigerian Youth Movement’ in 1940 and became the secretary at their Ibadan office.
In 1944, he obtained a degree in ‘Bachelor of Commerce’ from the University of London.
Following and becoming motivated by India’s movement for independence, he convened a grass-root rally against the exportation of palm kernel which was believed to instigate the Africans against the imperial rule.
After vigorous exercise, he started working to fulfil his ambition of becoming a lawyer. After getting his law degree, he returned to Nigeria.
During his study period in London, he got himself heavily involved in Nigeria’s pro-independence movement and rally.
He lent his voice to echo support for a federal system of government which was believed to flawlessly serve the heterogeneous population of Nigeria. In 1947, Awolowo returned to Nigeria and began practising law in Ibadan.
He established various trade unions and in 1951, he founded his first political party, Action Group and became the first president through election, also won the party the first-ever election in the Western region in the same year
Between 1954 and 59, being the first premier of the Western Region, various public welfare programmes were implemented which included free primary education, agricultural development, boost in rural medical care, among others.
He looked towards allying with various ethnic groups in other regions in a stride to make the Action Group Political Party a National one.
In 1959, Awolowo resigned from the post and decided to run for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives but his party lost the election.
The loss occasioned bitterness and bad blood between him and another senior figure, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, within the party
In 1963, the bitterness brought about rivalry which led to a power tussle between Awolowo and Akintola.
Awolowo was charged with sedition and received a sentence of ten years imprisonment.
But in 1966, he was freed as a result of a Military Coup which also ended the First Republic and also led to the death of Akintola.
Between 1967 and 1971, Awolowo was named the federal commissioner for finance under the military administration during Nigeria’s Civil War.
He also held, during this period, several key positions including a position of University Chancellor.
In 1978, which saw the removal of the ban placed on political activities in the country, Awolowo became the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
In 1979, he contested for the presidential election but lost. In 1983, he lost again to then politician, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Revisiting The Biography Of Chief Obafemi Awolowo With Nostalgia
1983 witnessed another Military Coup which led to another ban on Political activities in the country. Awolowo called it a shot at politics.
Notable Achievements of Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a prominent figure during the struggle for independence in Nigeria.
He played a consequential role in the creation and formation of the Action Group (AG) Political Party which went on to be the foremost political party in the western region.
Awo introduced free primary education in the whole of the Western Region of Nigeria which various prominent Nigerians benefitted from.
He also implemented numerous social welfare programmes due to his exposure to alleviate the effects of poverty.
He was a political leader known for his promising policies and strong leadership who advocated true federalism, and regionalism (Regional Autonomy).
We must admit that these policies resulted in reshaping the political sphere of Nigeria and served as a motivation to various young politicians.
The Philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was one of the major proponents of Democratic Socialism which advocated the principles of Social Equality, Justice and Welfare for all.
He viewed economic development, education and healthcare as basic components of a successful society.
The Roles Played by Chief Awolowo During the Civil War
Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo was the vice-chairman of the Federal Executive Council during the civil war period which took place during General Gowon’s regime. By implication, he was at the centre of all the major decisions taken by the Gowon Regime.
The chief played an instrumental role in sustaining and running the socio-political affairs of the country. He learned his support to maintain unity and peace across the country.
Chief Awolowo’s Contribution to the Economic Development
Chief Awolowo was instrumental in the implementation of various economic policies in western Nigeria which boosted industrialisation, Agriculture and infrastructural development.
His philosophy helped boost and sustain the region’s economy and ameliorated the standard of living for every resident within the western region.
In 1947, Obafemi Awolowo authored his first-ever book, titled, ‘Path to Nigerian Freedom’. In 1949, he founded a private newspaper firm known as ‘Nigerian Tribune’, to provoke nationalist desire sentiments among his fellow countrymen.
He was a co-founder of ‘Egbe Omo Oduduwa’ (Society of the Descendants of Oduduwa) for the preservation and study of Yoruba culture. In 1960, he wrote his second book, titled, ‘Awo: An Autobiography of himself, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’ and ‘Anglo-Nigerian Military Pact Agreement’.
In the same year, he wrote his view on ‘Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution’ while in prison. Between 1968 and 1985, he wrote many books like ‘The People’s Republic’, ’Problems of Africa’, ‘Awo on the Nigerian Civil War’, and ’Adventures in Power.’
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Awards and Recognitions
In 1959, Obafemi Awolowo established the first television station in Africa, WNTV, which earned awards from the Republic of Liberia and Republique du Senegal, and various recognition from all over Africa.
In 1982, he was awarded ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR); the highest honour in Nigeria. In 1992, in his honour, the ‘Obafemi Awolowo Foundation’ was founded.
Awolowo proposed the term ‘Naira’ for Nigeria’s Currency, with his image having been adorning the 100 naira note since 1999.
Before his death, he held various honorary titles like ‘Losi of Ikenne’, ‘Lisa of Ijeun’, and ‘Odofin of Owo’, among others.
Awolowo built ‘Liberty Stadium’ which is still, till today, Africa’s first modern sports arena.
Posthumously, the University of Ife was renamed ‘Obafemi Awolowo University’ in honour of his name.
Family Life
On Saturday, the 3rd of December, 1937, Chief Obafemi Awolowo married Hannah Dideolu Awolowo and shared five lovely children between them – Ayodele Soyode, Oluwole Awolowo, Segun Awolowo, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Tola Oyediran.
At the time of his death, he was 78 years old and the coroner adjudged the cause of his death as natural.
His death came on May 9, 1987, at his home in Ikenne, and leaders across the country and beyond paid condolence visits in his honour.
Facts
Obafemi Awolowo was renowned for his sophisticated fashion awareness, often seen wearing traditional Yoruba attire with a crested cap.
He was a gifted writer and author.
He published several books on numerous topics ranging from politics to economics and ideology.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo had an unplanted love for education and was the leading figure in the establishment of Africa’s first television station, which eventually became the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
Revisiting The Biography Of Chief Obafemi Awolowo With Nostalgia