Page
6 Nigerian
Tribune, Tuesday, 9 June, 1987
Awo: The ultimate
honour
By CHRIS BIOSE
Implementing late
Chief Awolowo’s four cardinal programmes, nationwide, is the highest honour to
the memory of one who did so much to improve the life of his compatriots.
As if to atone for
their mistake in denying him the chance to occupy the highest political office
in the land as he well deserved, to enable him transform the country for the
benefit of the majority, and in appreciation of the invaluable services he
rendered with the limited opportunity he had while yet with us, Nigerians are
resolved to bestow adequate individual, group and national honours on the late
leader. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have thus offered useful suggestions
as to how best to honour our departed leader.
The Federal
Government responded positively and has participated fully in the funeral
arrangements spear-headed by some of the deceased’s lieutenants and the LOOBO
states. It also gladdens the heart that the federal government has named one of
the nation’s institutions of higher learning – UNIFE – after the great leader.
These are, indeed, heart-warming and spontaneous expressions of the highest regard
and the late leader’s family and disciples must feel most grateful.
Seen, however, from
the point of view of the under-privileged classes of the country, one can express
the view that these agreeably laudable actions so far taken are largely cosmetic
and symbolic insofar as they do not pertain to the root cause and key issues
which ranked high in the thinking of this political giant. As the head of state
himself correctly pointed out not very long ago, Chief Awolowo had been the
main issue in Nigerian politics for the past 35 years. The true test must be:
if Chief Awolowo were to reappear and requested to make a wish, would he start
talking of a funeral and names of schools and stadia? I trust not. Attractive
as this might be, there were certain things which Awo consistently advocated in
his life time, and for which people now openly express their admiration.
In this connection,
it is most interesting to find that a good number of highly-placed government
functionaries at both federal and state levels have publicly acknowledged the
wisdom of the four cardinal action programmes based on the late leader’s
socialist political strategy for the country’s development and this, I submit, is where our major interest must lie.
There seems to be a pervasive rediscovery of the rectitude of the socialist
policies for which he always fought.
If this is truly
so, and if one is not to be tempted to agree with those who see the unrestrained
outburst of expressions of admiration as hypocritical, then one should be
encouraged to humbly suggest that the best way to honour Awo is for the federal
authorities to act now to see that some core principles of the late leader’s
socialist programmes are translated into concrete action. It is my humble view
that the best way to honour a man is to do his wish. Let the authorities
implement at least one Awo Programme and name it as such. To give honour where
it is due, one must acknowledge with due appreciation the integrated rural
development programme of the federal administration. There is at present a
noticeable effort to improve access to the rural areas by a “massive programme
of rural road construction and rehabilitation”. This is commendable but roads
alone do not a civilization make.
Those who know the
late leader would confirm that he was a pragmatist who spoke mainly in action.
In this respect, any one of two under-mentioned Awo programmes could be
implemented as a specific mark of honour for the late leader.
1. With immediate effort, and as a minimum
measure, the government should declare a free and compulsory secular education
at primary and secondary levels throughout the country followed by a year of
compulsory national service which will include military training for all
Nigerian youths before going into the labour market.
It should be borne
in mind that this educational policy is not an end in itself. It is an
essential instrument for promoting national political consciousness and
eventual economic and technological take-off of the country. This could be
specifically christened – The Awo Programme.
2. On a more holistic note, the
administration could take the bull by the horn and declare Nigeria a socialist
state and put a halt to all policies which increase and perpetuate inequalities;
while instituting and vigorously pursuing policies which promote
egalitarianism.
In the words of
Papa himself, “it is abundantly clear that the evils of the capitalist system
are naked self-interest, greed and the gross and irremediable injustices
arising from the forces of supply and demand and the margin. Some of these
evils are inherent and inseparable from the capitalist system and since they
tend, inexorably, to make the weak progressively weaker relatively and the
under-developed country more systematically enslaved as an economic entity,
every underdeveloped country will be wise resolutely to avoid the capitalist
system.
“The socialist
system is preferable to the capitalist system, because it is devoid of the
evils of the later, and is positively superior to it. This then in my
considered judgment is the path to economic freedom in underdeveloped countries.
“But it must be
emphasized that there is an imperative and indispensable need for thorough and
detailed planning and stern discipline of body and mind, to make the socialist
system, and to ensure, under it, effective and efficient mobilization,
co-ordination, deployment, and development of all the natural and human
resources.
“…My own considered
verdict is that the path to economic freedom in developing countries is
socialism.”
If any of these
policy decisions is implemented with immediate effect, as a specific mark of
honour for the revered elder statesman, then Awo’s name would be specifically
associated with the take-off of the Third Republic. If it is not done, the
struggle will start afresh.
It has been said: “If
you love me, keep my commandments.” Those who love Awo should imitate his stern
discipline, egalitarian programmes and work ethic. This will be the best way to
honour the man Awo.
“On
a more holistic note, the administration could take the bull by the horn and
declare Nigeria a socialist state and put a halt to all policies which increase
and perpetuate inequalities; while instituting and vigorously pursuing policies
which promote egalitarianism.”
