Path To Nigeria's Re-discovery
By
It was that celebrated legend of our time, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who in the preface to his well researched and scholarly book titled The Strategy
and Tactics of the Peoples Republic of Nigeria, published in 1970 by MacMillan and Co. London, articulated one profoundly perceptive thought, to wit: "To keep
Nigeria one! This by itself is an abstract concept."
In order to try and understand what meaning the late sage might have intended to convey by the use of the word abstract, one may wish to refer to Webster's New
Thesaurus which provides its definitions as follows: academic, hypothetical, rhetorical, unrealistic...
If the slogan "To keep Nigeria one" was considered hypothetical and unrealistic, academic and rhetorical, Chief Awolowo in his usual unambiguity in the choice
of, words, posited that this abstract concept could not in itself see Nigeria out of the woods during the civil war, described by some segments of our country as
the Biefran War. Rather, Chief Awolowo was of the candid opinion that rather than the theoretical sloganising, it was the active resolve of the people of
Nigeria which brought the fratricidal conflict to a positive conclusion.
From the foregoing, it cannot but be obvious that before ever the imperialist invasion of this part of West Africa, there was never a country called or known as
Nigeria. Rather, there existed a number of sovereign nationalities and several city states which achieved administrative distinction independent of foreign
interference or alien overlordship.
The Yorubas, for instance, inhabited several states grouped around lle-lfe historically regarded as their primordial origin, with Oduduwa as their common
father and revered progenitor. The grave of Oranyan, reputed as the second king of the Yoruba race still stands majestically in lle-lfe for all to see.
Contrary to imperialist propagations, the Igbo of the pre-colonial era were not organised as a republican or even egalitarian society of villages with no kings
nor princes. Onitsha, Nnewi, Oraifite, Awka, Arochukwu, Oguta, Ogidi, Asaba, Agbor, Owerri, Uli, Bende, Nkporo, Oboro, Ahoada, Diobu, Ezza, Enugu Ngwo, Eke,
Nimbo were some examples of Igbo city-states or related Igbo principalities which were self-governing with highly idolised monarchs (known variously as Eze,
Obi, Onyishi and the like) presiding over their affairs.
Second in order of precedence were the warlords, sometimes described as warriors. It was they who led in many an expansionist war as well as ensured the
security of the various independent territories. Rebellion in most city-states did not normally happen. This was mainly as a result of a well organised military
intervention force based in the ancient city-state of Abam in today's Abia State. On invitation by any Igbo authority, Abam troops moved in to quell such
rebellion and restore law and order.
Particular mention should be made of Ngwaland in today's Abia State, within which the vibrant commercial city of Aba is centrally located.
The British imperialists were bent on destroying the independence of the territories on the Guinea Coast and its hinterland, while at the same time, subjugating
the people into renewed slavery whose voices became silenced in all matters affecting their destiny.
It should be worthy of serious note that in that historic day of destiny, being January 1, 1900, not one erstwhile city-state east and west of the Niger, drawn
from the Igbo, Efik, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ogoja, Benin, to name but a few, nor states of Yorubaland were recorded as having been consulted prior to their being
lumped together by the British as one administrative entity by the strange name of Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.
It therefore stands to good reason that the British promulgation 102 years ago of the territorial area known today as Southern Nigeria was carried through
without the knowledge and consent of the various and disparate peoples concerned.
Next, a brief reference to events which led to the occupation of the North by British imperialists should help in assessing the level of cooperation or
consultation which might or might not have existed between the two parties.
The Othman Dan Fodio-led jihad of 1802, which created the Sokoto Caliphate was a turning point in the history of that part of the West African hinterland. A
century later, the relations between the British and the Sultan of Sokoto had so soured that it took the threat of military attack on the part of the former to
coerce the latter into helpless submission.
Which brings me to Senator Abraham Adesanya whose 80th birthday is being celebrated today, the 24th day of July, 2002, with the launch of a Foundation in his
honour.
I have known Senator Adesanya for many, many years, starting from during the struggle to rid Nigeria of iconoclasts and men of political iniquities in the
Second Republic. Here is a patriot of the highest distinction, and notable for saying little and doing much, creditably.
I can pay him no greater tribute than to quote from excerpts of his speeches, addresses and newspaper interviews on various occasions.
Awo's Legacy
We are following the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in all its ramifications. In the South-West, we are following his footsteps in respect of free education,
free health services and rural integration.
Resource Control
A situation where states that are contributing little or nothing to the national coffers are benefiting more than the areas where the wealth of the country is
coming from is despicable.
National Conference
It is regrettable that each time the issue of sovereign national conference is raised in the National Assembly, members seem unperturbed because they have been
compromised.
And again, at a meeting of Concerned Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Thought which was held in Abu~a May 28 to 30, 2001, it was agreed that for peaceful
coexistence to exist among the various nationalities and interest groups in the country, there is an urgent need for a national conference. But the enemies of
progress are at work again trying to undermine the decision.
Warning to the South-west
At the maiden Press Conference addressed by the leader of Afenifere, the Yoruba cultural organisation, Senator Abraham Adesanya on Tuesday, February 10, 1998,
which date happened to be my 77th birthday exactly, he said in reference to the South-West zone:
"It does not pay to betray the cause of our people in a personal pursuit of power and materialism. Those who have in one way or the other conspired to subvert
the popular will and expression of the South- West can never expect Providence to smile upon them." (End of quotes).
In conclusion, I must say that the principal and final solution to the apparently intractable problems which arose out of the British imposition of name and
territory on our various but fraternal sovereign states, lies in our people revisiting this unwanted, unacceptable record in the history of these ancient lands
of the Yoruba, the Igbo, Hausa/Fulani, Tiv, Idoma, Kanuri, Efik, Ibibio, Jukun, Nupe, Edo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and all.
In this regard, today's celebrant, our admirable 80-year-old leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya, must be commended for his untiring consistence in the
uncompromising advocacy for a national conference, indeed a sovereign national conference as the only viable answer to the grave danger confronting Nigeria as
she resists the ominous slide into the unfathomable abyss of threatening disintegration. In this crusade for a national conference of the various peoples that
inhabit this highly endowed territory, Senator Adesanya commands the unstinted support of all of us.
It is not easy to clock 80 years and still stay politically active, spiritually militant as well as mentally alert. By this extraordinary attainment in
longevity,
Senator Adesanya joins the very few remaining freedom fighters whose sweat, blood and tears were contributory to our contemporary status as a federation of
peoples whose erstwhile sovereignty now cries aloud for a just restoration in order that.we may meet on a common platform to bury the ashes of an imposed
Nigeria which must be replaced with a fresh mandate leading to a reinauguration of this great country, structured in the fashion of true federalism, and blessed
by God.
May the Abraham Adesanya Foundation be an inextinguishable beacon of light in this. titanic crusade for a national conference, as a forerunner to the attainment
of life more abundant for all Nigerians.
May God Bless you all.
Excerpts of Ajuluchukwu's lecture at the launching of the Adesanya Foundation to mark the 80th birthday celebration of the Senator Abraham Adesanya
Nov 2002