Tuesday, December 31, 2019

USA Africa Dialogue Series - My Testimony

God of mercy, you showed me great mercies in the last decade(2010-2020).

Otherwise, how else would the son of a struggling rural widow like me make it to "World who's who" listing, "Who is who in Nigeria" listing and Professional Fellow of a prestigious Information Management Institute?

Almighty father, I am very grateful. 

I plead for more mercies now and in the decades ahead.

Thank you God of mercy.

Chidi Anthony Opara, FIIM
Umude Avuvu, Ikeduru,
Imo state, Nigeria.

01-01-2020.


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Chidi Anthony Opara is a "Life Time Achievement" Awardee, Registered Freight Forwarder, Professional Fellow Of Institute Of Information Managerment, Africa, Poet and Publisher of PublicInformationProjects



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Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Sv: Happy New Year

"Let us close the year in peace, not in war"-TF

Is this particular "war" not desirable?

CAO.

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Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Greetings from Ama Ata Aido, via Akwasi

WOW
Great thanks

On Tue, 31 Dec 2019 at 21:43, Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:

 

 

 

From: Akwasi Aidoo <akwasi.aidoo@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 11:44 AM
To: Akwasi Aidoo <akwasi.aidoo@gmail.com>
Cc: Prof Ama Ata Aidoo <aaaidoo77@gmail.com>
Subject: The Best of the Year & Beyond (from Ama Ata)

 

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

 

Whew!  2020 is on its way and arriving soon…. What a delight to welcome the New Year with a 20-20 vision (smile).

 

I woke up yesterday even more delighted when I received a gift of resonant year-end poem from my elder sister Ama Ata Aidoo, the iconic global novelist, poet, playwright and academic. She adopted me as her younger brother years after I first read her first book, The Dilemma of a Ghost (1965) – I couldn't stop re-reading the book year after year, and told her that (smile). She always calls me, Mo Nua Akwasi (A million thanks, Mo Nua Panyin Ama Ata!!!).

 

The poem that Ama Ata sent me yesterday spoke so many things to me, but I will mention only a few (for now):

 

*First, it highlights for me the benefits of hearing/listening to our inner self and the truth-bearing "spirit" in us.

 

*Second, it shows that memories of those we love can play a key role in replenishing our mental and emotional health.

 

*Third, it speaks to the unequalled gifts of nature to us.

 

*Fourth, it has a distinct sub-text of the imperative of courage in addressing the externally-imposed challenges we often have to address.

 

*Fifth, it brings home to me the fact that words matter as much as actions (and more than we often think).

 

*Sixth, that our shared humanity is the essence of who we really are (the Ubuntu idea).

 

Hence, overall, the poem highlights for me the values of human agency, gentle and compassionate wording, dignity, and togetherness – especially in these times market by hardened nativism, exclusion and discrimination parading as patriotism.

 

If you haven't read any of Ama Ata's many great books, then please include them in your 2020 annual resolution (and reading any of them will turn you away from becoming a passive "Resolutionary." LOL).

 

Here's the poem, which Ama Ata has very kindly permitted me to share with you all.  Enjoy! (followed by something you will enjoy as well).

 

AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION AT 8.30 ONE EVENING.

– For the Birds Outside my Window at 5 O'clock in the morning. (Or BIRDS III)

By Ama Ata Aidoo

…………………………………………..

 

If they should ask me

Again

What I miss most in this life,

I promise I shall 

Not fall apart again

Unsure of myself

Tiny tears 

Like sandy silver droplets on my eyelids.

 

 Like when Teacher chose me to answer 

The first question in our new class. 

Me opening my mouth 

To say the first thing in my mind that

they wanted to hear.

 

Sometimes it was even in a new classroom 

The aroma of new paint, new books and uniforms.

 

No.

Should they trigger me again,

I shall not betray me or you.

I shall plant my feet firmly on the ground

Legs and arms akimbo,

Demand they take the "most" out. 

Completely out.

 

My friends,

Here on this small planet,

What I miss is everyone and everything.

My Mother the Never-Lettered Genius,

My Father the Intrepid,

My Daughter, and she should know why…

Dear friends and other family,

Still around or passed on

Who says I can't even miss the unborn?

 

The sea whom I never tire of.

 

The small mountains and their atolls

The Great Lakes and their Rift Valleys

A square flat black rock 

Baking in a noon tropical sun

Washed by a cool singing stream 

 

Ow, and the wildest grapes sweet wizened sweet.

Then the rivers. the rivers, the rivers…

 

… and you all singing outside my window.

 

Finally, here's a link to the oldie, Auld Lang Syne (check out the old Scots-language lyrics): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mCWIsmSFN8

 

With Peace & Love,

 

Akwasi

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USA Africa Dialogue Series - Greetings from Ama Ata Aido, via Akwasi

 

 

 

From: Akwasi Aidoo <akwasi.aidoo@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 11:44 AM
To: Akwasi Aidoo <akwasi.aidoo@gmail.com>
Cc: Prof Ama Ata Aidoo <aaaidoo77@gmail.com>
Subject: The Best of the Year & Beyond (from Ama Ata)

 

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

 

Whew!  2020 is on its way and arriving soon…. What a delight to welcome the New Year with a 20-20 vision (smile).

 

I woke up yesterday even more delighted when I received a gift of resonant year-end poem from my elder sister Ama Ata Aidoo, the iconic global novelist, poet, playwright and academic. She adopted me as her younger brother years after I first read her first book, The Dilemma of a Ghost (1965) – I couldn't stop re-reading the book year after year, and told her that (smile). She always calls me, Mo Nua Akwasi (A million thanks, Mo Nua Panyin Ama Ata!!!).

 

The poem that Ama Ata sent me yesterday spoke so many things to me, but I will mention only a few (for now):

 

*First, it highlights for me the benefits of hearing/listening to our inner self and the truth-bearing "spirit" in us.

 

*Second, it shows that memories of those we love can play a key role in replenishing our mental and emotional health.

 

*Third, it speaks to the unequalled gifts of nature to us.

 

*Fourth, it has a distinct sub-text of the imperative of courage in addressing the externally-imposed challenges we often have to address.

 

*Fifth, it brings home to me the fact that words matter as much as actions (and more than we often think).

 

*Sixth, that our shared humanity is the essence of who we really are (the Ubuntu idea).

 

Hence, overall, the poem highlights for me the values of human agency, gentle and compassionate wording, dignity, and togetherness – especially in these times market by hardened nativism, exclusion and discrimination parading as patriotism.

 

If you haven't read any of Ama Ata's many great books, then please include them in your 2020 annual resolution (and reading any of them will turn you away from becoming a passive "Resolutionary." LOL).

 

Here's the poem, which Ama Ata has very kindly permitted me to share with you all.  Enjoy! (followed by something you will enjoy as well).

 

AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION AT 8.30 ONE EVENING.

– For the Birds Outside my Window at 5 O'clock in the morning. (Or BIRDS III)

By Ama Ata Aidoo

…………………………………………..

 

If they should ask me

Again

What I miss most in this life,

I promise I shall 

Not fall apart again

Unsure of myself

Tiny tears 

Like sandy silver droplets on my eyelids.

 

 Like when Teacher chose me to answer 

The first question in our new class. 

Me opening my mouth 

To say the first thing in my mind that

they wanted to hear.

 

Sometimes it was even in a new classroom 

The aroma of new paint, new books and uniforms.

 

No.

Should they trigger me again,

I shall not betray me or you.

I shall plant my feet firmly on the ground

Legs and arms akimbo,

Demand they take the "most" out. 

Completely out.

 

My friends,

Here on this small planet,

What I miss is everyone and everything.

My Mother the Never-Lettered Genius,

My Father the Intrepid,

My Daughter, and she should know why…

Dear friends and other family,

Still around or passed on

Who says I can't even miss the unborn?

 

The sea whom I never tire of.

 

The small mountains and their atolls

The Great Lakes and their Rift Valleys

A square flat black rock 

Baking in a noon tropical sun

Washed by a cool singing stream 

 

Ow, and the wildest grapes sweet wizened sweet.

Then the rivers. the rivers, the rivers…

 

… and you all singing outside my window.

 

Finally, here's a link to the oldie, Auld Lang Syne (check out the old Scots-language lyrics): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mCWIsmSFN8

 

With Peace & Love,

 

Akwasi

USA Africa Dialogue Series - Poetic Thoughts

Eve of new year,
Resolutions resound
And rescind
On the twilight of new year.

Another eve of new year,
Another resound of resolutions,
Another rescind 
On the twilight of new year.

(C)Chidi Anthony Opara

#2019Poeticthoughts


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Chidi Anthony Opara is a "Life Time Achievement" Awardee, Registered Freight Forwarder, Professional Fellow Of Institute Of Information Managerment, Africa, Poet and Publisher of PublicInformationProjects



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USA Africa Dialogue Series - Hapi Nu Ya! (Poem)(Repost)

By Chidi Anthony Opara

I tiptoed near the gulag
This eve of new year.
The gulag
Gagged like a grave yard.

I stooped
And waited.

Midnight
Ungagged the gulag.
I grinned
At the gust of "hapi nu ya!"

(Poem presented as social service, all rights reserved.)


--
Chidi Anthony Opara is a "Life Time Achievement" Awardee, Registered Freight Forwarder, Professional Fellow Of Institute Of Information Managerment, Africa, Poet and Publisher of PublicInformationProjects



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Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Awo's reply declining membership of the 1986 Political Bureau

Obi Nwakanma,

I have a clean bill of health ( touch wood) - my heart beats like that of a horse, I have no debts, I don't owe you or anybody else any money, have enough in my bank account but wouldn't mind having more, don't like what's happening in Somalia, Irak, Yemen,  and I pray for peace and brotherhood among all men.  You,  your friends, the company that you keep, Nigeria, the music you like, play,  the theatre you like, what you read, say, think, believe, dream, want, do not want, is not my greatest concern. Really. I wish you a Happy New Year and as the bard said, "I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours."

On Tuesday, 31 December 2019 13:55:07 UTC+1, Rex Marinus wrote:
That's all you got Rabbi Cunnilingus of Swedenborg? 
Common, sir! You want to bring Biafra into this? I have asked you to supply proof that Biafra surrendered. You should (a) publish the surrender document, (b) Show in the publicly available video now luckily on youtube where either Effiong, or Gowon, or Obasanjo used the word, "surrender." My proof is that they very cautiously avoided the use of that word because the Biafrans did not come to Lagos to surrender. 

You keep talking about age, and making statements about starving me as a child. Be wary, sir, those kids you wanted to starve to death still have gunpowder in their souls and ingots in their eyes, and they may come hunting you, now that your old arthritic legs can no longer lift or run from where you hide in Sweden.  

From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Cornelius Hamelberg <cornelius...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2019 11:38 PM
To: USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Awo's reply declining membership of the 1986 Political Bureau
 

Baba Kadiri,


We've been here before, haven't we? We all remember ( it's all in the archives ) his earlier, steady, & oh so heady determination and failure to prove that at the end of the Biafra Civil War , Ojukwu / Biafra "did not surrender " –  as if the terms of the surrender  - Ojukwu's flight to voluntary/ involuntary  exile to the Ivory Coast and the very documented articles of surrender was not worth the ink that it was written with.

Loincloth? The urchin (little worm) was still in his nappies (if indeed the pickaninny had any) - he was barely twenty-eight (28) days old and crying either in joy  or most  probably still starving when the Biafra war came to an end.

My second week at Legon (January 1970) that was all we were talking about, everywhere on that campus…

The maniacal Igbophile is not fighting for truth, equality and justice, all he still wants is victory even at this very late date, the victory that was denied him and that's the reason for these endless, unsuccessful post-mortems in which he tries to resurrect the usual falsehoods.

You are waiting in vain for the toto-sucker caught on camera there, digging himself dancing kaka-debul and masquerading as a petty edition reincarnation of  Ziki his demi-god….

As Malcolm Little once put it to such miscreants: "They taught you little"

BTW, I have set Cassandra's Answer to song (Amponsah guitar)

 I'm in a bad mood and jiveass, I'm ready  

don't run away to Abidjan

and don't be sorry ….


On Monday, 30 December 2019 23:00:19 UTC+1, ogunlakaiye wrote:
In the Western Region, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa has been very active in seeing to it that ONLY NATIONALISTS AND PATRIOTS who are PRO-NATIONALISTS should enter the Western House of Assambly -- Excerpts from a Presidential address to the third Ibo State Assembly at Enugu on December 15, 1950; See, ZIK : Selected Speeches of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, p. 113. I hope that you, Obi Nwakanma, is aware that Awolowo was a member of Egbe Omo Oduduwa whose members Azikiwe, latently and indirectly described as Nationalists and Patriots. 
S. Kadiri



Från: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> för Rex Marinus <rexma...@hotmail.com>
Skickat: den 30 december 2019 03:06
Till: Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>; USAAfrica Dialogue <USAAfric...@googlegroups.com>
Ämne: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Awo's reply declining membership of the 1986 Political Bureau
 
Bolaji Aluko,
Awolowo and Bello were not naionalists, nor were they Nigerian nationalist leaders. They spoke and wrote about Nigeria, and ultimately acted out theior chosen parts. These are essentially the grounds on which we shall measure them. Noit by your revisionist proclmations. In fact, it will not be up to you and me. Their times will come when thgeir vis sufficient historicval distance on their lkiofe and work. So, iot does nlot matter to me what or how you choose to recreate an "undiminished" Awolowo. Balewa and Okpara were more of nationalist leaders  than Awolowo and Bello. Balewa because, in spite of his politics, he ultimately slowly began to grow into his own. Okpara because he was in the trenches of the anti-colonial nationalist agitation. The facts will detail the story. And this will not be based on revisions and myth-making. As for a "diminished Zik", only one ignorant of the very long view of history could call Azikiwe "diminished." Go through the archives of the 20th century, in all the most important theatres of that history as it relates to the black man, Azikiwe is present and properly preserved. Lilliputians only try, but they cannot pull the pull down the fostered images of such giants of immoderate proportions. Zik diminished? You wish!
Obi Nwakanma


From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2019 8:12 PM
To: USAAfrica Dialogue <USAAfric...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Awo's reply declining membership of the 1986 Political Bureau
 

IA:

I sm not an Awoist, and Obi Nwakanma proudly describes himself as a Zikist.  So, no Awoist identified a Zikist here...

As to the descriptions "post colonial" and "colonial invention", I have no idea what you mean, and don't intend to ask and then engage on another wild goose chase.


Bolaji Aluko


On Sun, Dec 29, 2019, 09:30 Ibrahim Abdullah <ibdu...@gmail.com> wrote:
It takes an Awoist to know a Zikist! The former is post-colonial; the latter a colonial invention to the core! 

Sent from my iPhone

On 29 Dec 2019, at 5:00 PM, Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com> wrote:



Salimonu Kadiri:

Obi Nwakanma is an incorrigible Zikist whose green literary and even alimentary bile rises to the top when he sees the name "Awo" written in any positive light, because every such word reminds him of a diminished Zik, in his warped imagination.  It must be a miserable way to live.

Zik, Awo and Ahmadu Bello - and to a lesser extent Balewa and Okpara - were the Founding Fathers of Nigeria.  They were Nationalists in their own different ways, based on their family upbringing, education, world awareness and understanding of the subgroups of Nigerians that looked to them for guidance.  They were all visionaries with different blurred lenses in their crystal balls.

Obi Nwakanma should be read and moved on upon.

And there you have it.  Season's greetings ojare!


Bolaji Aluko


On Sun, Dec 29, 2019, 07:59 Salimonu Kadiri <ogunl...@hotmail.com> wrote:
​Dear Obi Nwakanma,
​Contrary to your opinion that Awolowo was not a visionary, he stated already in his 1947 book, Path to Nigerian Freedom, why he objected, along with other reasons, to self-government as at that time thus, "The existence of a microscopic literary class would lead to exploitation of the great majority of illiterates by the intelligentsia.'' Every institution of governance in Nigeria today are manned by few educated class like you, but the results of their administration hitherto are as Awolowo foresaw it 72 years ago. 

​Already in 1941, Awolowo warned, "Nigeria under a unitary constitution might be dominated by those, whatever their number, who owed greater allegiance to ethnic affinity than  to PRINCIPLES and IDEALS." "As for between the various ethnic groups," Awolowo argued, "there were differing standards of civilisation as well as uneven stages in the adoption of Western education and the emulation of western civilisation. A unitary constitution with only one central government would only result in frustration to the much pushful and more dynamic ethnic groups, whereas a division of the country into regions along ethnic lines would enable each linguistic group not only to develop its own peculiar culture and institutions but to move forward at its own pace without being unnecessarily pushed or annoyingly slowed down by the others." The NCNC led by Nnamdi Azikiwe pushed for Unitary form of government in Nigeria but did not succeed until a coup within a coup of 15 January 1966 catapulted Major General Johnson Thompson Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi into power. Awolowo was still in prison in Calabar on May 24, 1966, when Ironsi in Decree No.34 abolished the Regions and proclaimed Unitary government. The West African Pilot of the following day published a large cartoon of a cock crowing one Nigeria. Remarkably, cock was the symbol of the NCNC and West African Pilot was owned by Nnamdi Azikiwe former leader of the NCNC that had advocated Unitary form of government for Nigeria. Awolowo's vision about the ill-effects of a Unitary constitution for Nigeria already in 1941 which was forced on the country through a one-man constitutional review commission, Francis Nwokedi, in 1966 is what Nigerians, mostly from the South, are battling to expunge from the constitution till date.

​Knowing fully well that the Ohaneze Ndigbo conferred the traditional title of Ogugua Ndigbo on General Ibrahim Babangida for buttering Igbo bread, it is not surprising that Obi Nwakanma is emotionally offended by Awolowo's letter to Babangida. A proper understanding of Awolowo's letter to Babangida can be derived from the letter written to General Aguiyi Ironsi on 28 March 1966, in which he asked for pardon and release from prison for himself and his colleagues who had been incarcerated since 29 May 1962. In that letter to Ironsi Awolowo disclosed that the then Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, in October 1963, approached him that if he could form an all-embracing new Yoruba party with Akintola that would go into alliance with NPC, he would be released from prison before the end of that year. Awolowo wrote that if he had prized his personal freedom above the unity of Nigeria, he would have been set free in 1963. Further on 20 December 1965, the same Adetokunbo led a delegation of peace maker, said to have the blessing of the Prime Minister, Balewa, to meet him in Calabar Prison, that he would be released from jail if he accepted to join the federal government but he rejected it.  In item 3b of the letter, Awolowo revealed, "On two different occasions I was offered, first the post of Deputy Prime Minister (before May 1962), and second that of Deputy Governor-General (in August 1962), if I would agree to fold up the opposition and join in a National Government. I declined the two offers because they were designed exclusively to gratify my self-interest, with no thought of fostering any political moral principle which could benefit the people of Nigeria." Alluding to his conscience, Awolowo wrote, "I felt and still feel that a truly public-spirited person should accept public office not for what he can get for himself - such as the profit and glamour of office - but for the opportunity which it offers him of serving his people to the best of his ability, by promoting their welfare and happiness. To me, the two afore-mentioned posts were sinecures, and were intended to immobilise my talents and stultify the role of watch-dog which the people of Nigeria looked upon me to play on their behalf, at that juncture in our political evolution." The invitation of Babangida to Awolowo to join his political bureau was intended as beckoning to him to come and chop and close his mouth but Awolowo declined, saying he was not in need of stomach infrastructure. Since 1959 Federal elections, there are set of people in Nigeria who would rather join or serve any government in power for selfish reasons. Awolowo was not a person like that but this may be difficult for crayfish heads or Professor Isi-Ewu to figure out.
S.Kadiri     

Från: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> för Rex Marinus <rexma...@hotmail.com>
Skickat: den 28 december 2019 22:39
Till: Tunji Olaopa <tolao...@gmail.com>; USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>
Ämne: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Awo's reply declining membership of the 1986 Political Bureau
 
Dear Tunji Olaopa:
Awolowo did not see any further than the political realities and conditions in Nigeria of which he was a key architect from 1947. He was no visionary, and did not possess a god-like capacity to see a future. He was no futurologist, nor did he possess any more than at best, an above average intelligence! At this stage in our intellectual history, it is important to stop all the pointless, really mediocre, low-level kinds of myth-making we call 'history.' Nigerian history is properly documented in the places where archives are properly preserved and not manipulated. We do not have "three founding fathers" for instance in Nigeria. If there were any founders and movers for modern Nigeria, they were those who with Azikiwe belonged to the Nationalist party and the nationalist movement. Neither Awolowo nor Bello supported the Nationalist movement or the very basis of a Nigerian nationalist anti-colonialism.   We can tell who did what from 1937-1947. From 1947-1957. From 1957-1967. From 1967-1977. From 1977-1987, and so on. We can already harvest from the End of Empire documents already publicly available to us the work, state, and place of each of these historical figures in the formation and deformation of Nigeria. The constant attempts to apotheosize Awolowo beyond his weight is a very laughable, repetitive, but by now exhausted ploy. And to ascribe some kind of immanent insight in this terrifyingly mediocre letter he wrote to Babangida is the height of intellectual infamy. Any elementary rhetorical analysis of this letter will basically show exactly what Awo was saying to Babangida: "Sorry, sir, but Fuck Nigeria and Nigerians! I'm not interested." That's basically the sum of Awo's letter.  Now, you want to ascribe some high intelligence to it? Get real sir!
Obi Nwakanma


From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com <usaafric...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Tunji Olaopa <tolao...@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2019 10:35 AM
To: USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafric...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Awo's reply declining membership of the 1986 Political Bureau
 
Reading Papa Awo's letter declining to serve on IBB's Political Bureau in 1986 again, and with the clear declining fortune of the Nigeria Project, I woke up this morning wondering, did the sage saw something about the future that we are in that we were perhaps too blinded to see?

RESTORING GOVERNMENTAL AND SOCIAL ORDER - CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO

In 1986, former President Ibrahim Babangida had asked Pa Awolowo to provide input into charting a New Social Order for Nigeria via a National Debate. A couple of my bosom friends have over the last few days reminded me of the force and depth of Pa Awolowo reply:

"Dear Sir, I received your letter of February 28, 1986, and sincerely thank you for doing me the honour of inviting me to contribute to the National Political Debate. The purpose of the debate is to clarify our thoughts in our search for a new social order. It is, therefore, meet and proper that all those who have something to contribute should do so. I do fervently and will continue fervently to pray that I may be proved wrong. For something within me tells me, loud and clear, that we have embarked on a fruitless search. At the end of the day, when we imagine that the new order is here, we would be terribly disappointed. In other words, at the threshold of our New Social Order, we would see for ourselves that, as long as Nigerians remain what they are, nothing clean, principled, ethical, and idealistic can work with them. And Nigerians will remain what they are, unless the evils which now dominate their hearts, at all levels and in all sectors of our political, business and governmental activities are exorcised. But I venture to assert that they will not be exorcised, and indeed they will be firmly entrenched, unless God Himself imbues a vast majority of us with a revolutionary change of attitude to life and politics or, unless the dialectic processes which have been at work for some twenty years now, perforce, make us perceive the abominable filth that abounds in our society, to the end that an inexorable abhorrence of it will be quickened in our hearts and impel us to make drastic changes for the better. There is, of course, an alternative option open to us. To succumb to permanent social instability and chaos. On the premises, I beg to decline your invitation. I am yours truly, Obafemi Awolowo."

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