Papa Awo's Birthday: MESSAGES ON HIS DEATH
Tersur Aben
Thank you for making all these quotes available to us. I wish that we
(Nigerians) heed the advice in this Indian proverb. I only know
of Awolowo in books (except during the UPN days--when my uncle was also a
recipient of Awo's VW bugs). I recently read an interesting article by
Prof. Dent, about Awo's involvement in Tiv politics during the 60s--which
allowed me to see him in a different light (abait appraisal from a
foreign observer) from all the rumours I have heard about him. Nigeria
should be proud of their own--especially those who faced up to the
colonizers and gave us Nigeria.
Aben.
Mobolaji E. Aluko
Dear Netters:
"When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced.
Live your live in such a manner that when you die
The world cries and you rejoice. "
- Old Indian saying
I am winding down my participation in this particular Awo thread.
As I said, I am not an Awoist, just almost. But before I leave.....
As many of us now remember, and some celebrate, Chief Obafemi Awolowo's
birthday of March 6 (born 1909), it may do well to also remember his death,
and also celebrate it in other people's words, people who knew him better than
most of us.......
======= some quotations:
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe: It was incontrovertible that Chief Awolowo left his
footprints on the sands of time.
Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu: It was with shock that I received the news. Papa
was without doubt the best president that Nigeria never
had. With the passing away of Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Nigeria will never be the same again.
May his versatile, valiant, victorious and
venerable soul Rest In Perfect Peace.
S.G. Ikoku: When you honour one of the prince makers of a nation, you are
honoring the nation.
Chief R.B.K. Okafor: Nigeria has lost a great leader, a soldier at the time
of need and a great protector of human rights.
Chief Collins Obih: Papa Awo as he was fondly called was a great nationalist,
administrator and indeed a statesman of no mean order.
He was singlemindedly consistent and honest in his views
and policies on all contemporary issues.
It is a great pity that he should pass away. Nigeria
still needs people of Awo's calibre, leadership,
administrative ability and competence.
Mr. E. Aguma: It is a national calamity, Nigeria has lost one of the most
calculating, constructive and understanding personalities.
It is only to be prayed the men of his vision and altruism
should mature into leadership.
Gov. Ibim Princewill: The death of Awo must have come as a shock to the whole
nation. The elder statesman served his fatherland with
full commitment. May God give the family the fortitude
to bear this great loss.
E.K. Clark: He was indeed the greatest politician in Nigeria. He was a great
pace setter who brought life into Nigeria body politics. He will
ever be remebered for his strong principle, courage.
Dr. Obi Wali: It is a most regrettable death and a great loss to the country,
it is a pity he died at this time when his experience is greatly
needed. He is one of the most experience politicians in the
country. I feel bad.
Alhaji Isa Kaita: Awo's death is a great loss to Nigeria. Awo was a faithful
nationalist whose place would certainly not be easy to fill...
Uba Ahmed: He was a man of perseverance, articulate with deep commitment to
party planning and organization.
Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri: By the death of Chief the Honourable Obafemi Awolowo,
Nigeria has lost a political giant. A political giant whose
contribution to Nigeria's political awareness has been second to
none. With Chief Awolowo passing away on the 9th of May 1987 a
big vacuum has been created in Nigeria's political life, day to
day political life. Nigeria's political life will be less
exciting without Awolowo.
For those of us who knew him rather closely, a truely great
leader has left us. All Nigerians should say special prayers
in all mosques on coming Friday and Christians next Sunday so
that the soul of our great leader Awo may rest in perfect peace.
Alhaji Idris Ibrahim: May your soul rest in perfect peace. Hoping that we
that are left behind together with the younger generation would
come together to build a Nigeria of your dream.
Haija Lailia Dongoyaro: I wish he had spent more years on earth to see Nigeria
through its present economic problems. Besides that, Awo should
not have left us the way he has done.
Paul Unongo: No other Nigerian except the late Chief has proved that a black
person was capable of running a democratic state.
Major General Domkat Bali: Awo's loss to Nigeria was great. He was a dedicated
and committed nationalist.
Tony Momoh: Chief Awolowo's life in this part of the cosmos was successful.
THe proof of it is what he has left behind.
Dr. Momoh Robson: Awo is an idea, not just a person. The idea in Awo never
dies. Having so inspired many generations, he lives for ever
and the struggle continues.
Governor Mike Akhigbe: Chief Obafemi Awolowo was in every sense a great man.
He spent his entire life working for his people and his great
nation. He died satisfied that he had done his best for his
country. He must surely be in heaven. May his soul rest in
peace.
Chief Alfred Rewane: I feel sorry for the death of Papa Awolowo. When he
came for the coronation of the Olu of Warri, I bade him
bye-bye and I did not know that would be the last. THe death
is a great shock and I pray GOd to grant the family the heart
to bear the loss.
Chief S.I.O. Giwa-Amu: Awo was a great prophet and it will be difficult to
fill his place. His death came as a shock to me. The country
has missed a great thinker and achiever.
Col. John Inienger: Awo was a consistent politician whose contributions to the
socio-economic growth of Nigeria are immeasurable. His political
resoluteness and unswerving ideological stance found expression
in a myriad of achievements such as the first premier of the former
Western region, former leader of opposition in the Federal House
of Representatives, COmmissioner for Finance and Vice-Chairman
of the Federal Executive Council from 1967-71.
Olu Akpata: His replacement can not be made now or in the next generation.
======
......... more quotations from other well-known persons, to come later, in
another forum.
"When the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name,
He marks, not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game."
- Grantland Rice.
"The greatest ignorance is to reject something
You know nothing about."
- H. Jackson Brown's Dad
Best wishes to all. May Awo's soul rest in perfect peace.
Bolaji Aluko