Nigeria not yet country of Awolowo’s dream – Daughter

In a reflection on the life and legacy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, his daughter, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, has painted a picture of a man driven by a deep-seated passion for a united yet decentralised Nigeria.

She regretted that Nigeria is not yet a country of Awolowo’s dream.

Awolowo-Dosunmu narrated her experience in Awolowo’s family during a live talkshow, State Affairs, by a popular Ibadan-based radio presenter, Edmund Obilo, on Monday.

She said despite facing immense personal challenges, including the tragic loss of her brother, Segun Awolowo, her father remained committed to his political ideals.

Awolowo’s vision for Nigeria, according to his daughter, was one of a strong, united federation.

She also described her mother, late Mrs Hannah Awolowo, as a pillar of strength to Awolowo.

Awolowo-Dosunmu said, “Papa lost his son and went to prison, a double tragedy for the family. Papa went to prison for political reasons, not because he committed treason. Those were trumped-up charges by his opponents. He lived by his beliefs, which unfortunately put him in conflict with those in power.

“Papa was always a federalist and he died a federalist, believing in a strong, united Nigeria. He never believed in confederalism. He never was in favour of secession and always worked toward maintaining the nation’s unity.

“He proposed a clause in the independence constitution that would have allowed any region to opt out, but it didn’t make it due to opposition. I think Sir Ahmadu Bello supported the move and Dr Nnamdi Azikwe opposed it.

“He tried all he could, and Papa died a fulfilled man despite everything. He knew he had done his best and gave everything he could for Nigeria and documented everything before he passed on. He declared after the 1983 elections that he would no longer contest, saying if Nigeria needed him, they knew where to find him.

“Mama had a lot of influence on him, but I never saw them argue or quarrel. Never, not even until Papa died. Mama had a beautiful strategy. If there was an issue and Papa was adamant, she would let it go. Maybe a day or two later, she would reintroduce it in a roundabout way. By the time Papa agreed with her, he wouldn’t even realise what had happened.”

Expressing disappointment at the current state of the nation, Awolowo-Dosunmu said, “Nigeria is not yet the country Papa dreamed of, where every citizen has a chance at life, education, good health, and infrastructure. But I believe we’ll get there.”

She concluded by emphasising her father’s enduring legacy, stating, “I had the Awo name to uphold and the message of a new, democratic Nigeria to share. I kept reminding myself of Papa’s words that I couldn’t despoil his name, and I worked hard to represent Nigeria with integrity.”

Awolowo-Dosunmu called on Nigerians to revisit “Awolowo’s blueprint for a nation built on justice, equity, and progress.”

Speaking on her membership at the National Conference which was inaugurated by former President Goodluck Jonathan on March 17, 2014, in Abuja, Awolowo-Dosunmu said, “I was a member of the National Conference and believed Nigeria should be a true federal republic with considerable autonomy for the federating units. I even proposed that the number of federating units should be reduced to six geopolitical zones to cut down on the cost of governance. I also believe Nigeria should return to a parliamentary system, which offers greater accountability and reduces election expenses.

“As an ambassador to the Netherlands during Obasanjo’s time, I faced many challenges. It was a steep learning curve, but I had the Awo name to uphold and the message of a new, democratic Nigeria to share. I kept reminding myself of Papa’s words that I couldn’t despoil his name, and I worked hard to represent Nigeria with integrity.”