RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 2015: Present politicians and Awolowo's paradigm

Awolowo was a great leader of his people. That is not to say that he was all character strengths and no weaknesses. Was his service selfless? It apparently was not. He amassed a great fortune as an active politician of his day, premier of Western Nigeria, and federal commissioner of finance. He reaped the most material value from politics. He was one of Nigeria's richest men.
Squabbling over material spoils of the office of premier of the Western Region was a major reason for his disagreement with his successor as premier, and some of his associates. The "Western Crises" that followed, helped to plunge Nigeria into war. He saw the opportunities in that war. He took full advantage of them. He became more wealthy. His people became more wealthy too. Some of Awolowo's economic policy actions as the federal commissioner of finance are believed to have led to the adoption of the federal character policy of quotas in federal government appointments among others.
Awolowo returned law practice later in his life. Some of his clients were actually so unhappy with his advocacy for them and other legal services, that they proceeded against him in court for malpractice and recompense.
Was he a national leader? He would have been if he had been less blatantly ethnocentric. He famously said for example that he was Yoruba before he was a Nigerian. He was free to speak his mind from the abundance of his heart. How constructive and smart was that however, from an aspiring national politician in a multi-ethnic, fledgling country fused together by a colonial power? Words matter. He may have been a nation builder. He certainly was not a country builder. His non-ethnic fellow citizens knew that. That knowledge probably cost him the office of Nigeria's president he hope, prayed, and schemed for. He was indeed described as "the best president Nigeria never had". His followers fell for the flattery. More discerning Nigerians recognized the irony. Awolowo's mistakes sadly are being repeated by some of his followers today.
Was Awolowo a great man? For his people he was. Was he a divisive leader? He was even among his people. He hated dissent. He punished it severely. Should Nigeria have another leader cut from the same cloth? May be not if Nigeria is to become an inclusive, equal opportunity, and stable country that she needs to be.

oa
-----Original Message-----
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Segun Ogungbemi
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2014 4:16 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 2015: Present politicians and Awolowo's paradigm

"Will Nigeria ever produce leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo again?"
This is a million dollar question. Only Olodumare can tell. Pa. Awo has done his own bit but Nigerians frustrated his effort and gave him a portfolio that he did not deserve. Imagine someone called him "the best president Nigeria never had." As you rightly noted the Sage was called "the prophet of doom." Pa. Awo rendered a selfless service for his country and instead of praising him they libeled "a tribalist".
Whatever happens to this country we must hold our leaders accountable. They should realize that one day they will be brought to the alter of justice.
Pa. Awo lives on.

Segun Ogungbemi Ph.D
Professor of Philosophy
Adekunle Ajasin University
Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
Nigeria
Cellphone: 08033041371
08024670952

> On Sep 18, 2014, at 10:25 AM, "'kayode Ketefe' via USA Africa Dialogue Series" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> ? Will Nigeria ever produce leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo again?

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