Editor, Politics/Features, EMEKA ALEX DURU, argues that 18 years after the death of the country’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe, succeeding generation of leaders are yet to key into his dream of a just and equitable society
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Mokwugo Okoye, a frontline nationalist and writer, shortly before his death in 1999, presented an enticing picture of the visions of the architects of modern Nigeria.
The dream, he said, was to build a country which would guarantee freedom, justice and equality to all. He further maintained that the forebears had envisioned a giant Nigerian enterprise that would champion and protect the cause of its citizens and, indeed, that of the black man in the comity of nations.
Thus, guided by these alluring visions, the forefathers, leading thousands of youths and even the elderly who provided the raw energy and verve for the nationalistic struggle, thronged the Lagos Race Course (Tafawa Balewa Square) hours before midnight of September 30, 1960 to herald the birth of a new nation. By midnight, the lights in the arena went off. When they came back, a new era had dawned. Nigeria had become independent. The green and white national flag had taken the position of the British Union Jack. Those that witnessed the colourful occasion still find it difficult to explain their euphoria at the event.
A name that loomed large in the attainment of this heroic feat was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the country’s first President and vigorous champion of African independence from European colonial rule.
Variously described as a patriot, scholar, philanthropist, humanitarian and educationist, Zik, as he was popularly known, remains among the greatest architects of colonial emancipation and advocate of pan-Africanism. Some even swear that his name was universally acknowledged while he reigned – an attribute, they say, he attained by dint of hard work and uncommon dynamism that endeared him to his countrymen.
Until his death on May 11, 1996 – exactly 18 years ago, Azikiwe remained a symbol of Nigerian unity. His devotion to the cause of a stable, unified and prosperous Nigeria is yet to be rivalled, analysts insist.
Zik did not attain the great heights on a platter, but on account of commitment to established principles. Armed with chains of degrees obtained from leading institutions of higher learning in the United States of America, the Owelle of Onitsha had on his return taken up the challenge of driving the process of emancipating the black race from the shackles of foreign domination.
Riding on the wings of his media conglomerate and vibrant political engagements, he had, in league with like minds, literally chased the white man from pillar to post, in his efforts at restoring the dignity of man. Zik’s dream was realised when the country gained political independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.
Azikiwe remained relevant in the politics of the first and second republics, making regular interventions in the quest for a just and equitable entity. But 18 years after his exit, analysts are not agreed on whether the legacies he left behind are being sustained by successive administrations in the land.
With near total infrastructure collapse, stunted political development, crippling unemployment and debilitating security challenges running through the country, many doubt if this was truly the Nigeria Zik and his colleagues in the nationalist struggle fought for.
Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, described the attitude of succeeding Nigerian leaders as amounting to betrayal to the ideals that Azikiwe stood for.
“It is clear to everyone that those dreams and aspirations Azikiwe had about our country, Nigeria, have not been achieved. When you look at our country, you will discover that the country is currently inflammable, and a very little thing can ignite the fire.
“It is unfortunate that our country cannot protect her children. The serial killings and bombings that have deepened the insecurity in Nigeria is pointer to the fact that what the late Azikiwe dreamed of has become a nightmare. Azikiwe is unhappy and the man must be weeping in his grave. This is indeed unfortunate and highly regrettable,” he lamented.
First Republic Minister for Aviation and a member of the Zikist Movement, Mbazurike Amaechi, added that the late Zik must be feeling betrayed and disappointed at the turn of events.
“Of course, the late president cannot rest in peace in his grave; he must be very unhappy about Nigeria, a country that he served and fought for to actualise the dream of its independence, only for his people to stab him in the back with misrule, indiscipline, corruption and daylight rape of the democratic process,” Amaechi said.
Bala Jubrin, Internal Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bauchi State, told TheNiche that certain developments in the country are at variance with the vision of the late nationalist, stressing that the turn of events would have forced him to regret giving his life for the nation.
“Were Dr. Zik to return to life, upon arrival in Nigeria, he would die of heart attack as a consequence of the rot in Nigeria of 2014. He would hate to be associated with what obtains today. He would disown the crop of current leaders as alien species,” Jubrin lamented.
Ikenna Odife, senior lecturer in the department of History and International Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, while attempting a summary of what the departed leader represented, said the succeeding generation had not been fair in keeping to his ideals.
Zik, he noted, “was arguably, a foremost Nigerian nationalist and a firm believer in the emancipation of all peoples of African descent through enlightenment and education. He also believed in the unity and indissolubility of the Nigerian nation-state. He prescribed neo-welfarism as state ideology. He envisioned a Nigerian state in which the citizens would not want the basic necessities of life. He preached moderation in acquisitiveness.”
Odife stressed, however, that “these goals have not been attained and the present leaders appear not to have imbibed these virtues”.
The consequence, he stated, is the corruption, bigotry and profligacy observable in national life. “Our values and aspirations as a people are warped and distorted. Genuine and sustainable development would continue to elude us until we have revulsion of attitude,” he remarked.
Aja Agwu, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, agreed with him, adding that certain occurrences in the country indicate total deviation from the dreams of the founding fathers.
He said: “Zik’s generation aspired to build a nation properly so-called. In that pursuit, it was obsessed with the vision of political inclusiveness and the sway of merit. But this generation is a complete contrast.”
Not even the critics of the Azikiwe era nor the cheer men of the succeeding generations would fault this.
Dr. Azikiwe was born on November 16, 1904 at Zungeru in Northern Nigeria. He attended CMS Central School, Onitsha; Methodist Boys High School, Lagos; and Hope Waddell Institution, Calabar; before proceeding abroad for further studies.
At Independence in 1960, Zik led National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC), seen to have a national posture, in comparison with its relatively ethnic contemporaries – Action Group (AG) and Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). He was the presidential candidate of defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in the Second Republic.
He died on May 11, 1996 at age of 92.
