News, Commentary & Social Media from African Perspective

NIGERIA At 47: Who are Our True Heroes?

26 comments

Posted by: Oluwole Akindutire on October 1, 2007 Under: Discussion Lounge, Feature, Nigeria, Opinion

  • Print This Post Print This Post
  • Muti This Muti This





Nigeria will be celebrating its 47th independence anniversary on Monday the 1st October 2007. On that day School Children, Soldiers and Politicians will sing our national anthem with lusty voices raised to high heavens; little do they know what the lyrics of the national anthem meant.

“ARISE O COMPATRIOTS
NIGERIA’S CALL OBEY
TO SERVE OUR FATHERS LAND
WITH LOVE AND STRENGTH AND FAITH
THE LABOUR OF OUR HEROES PAST, SHALL NEVER BE IN VAIN
TO SERVE WITH HEART AND MIGHT
ONE NATION BOUND IN FREEDOM,
PEACE AND UNITY.”

Any time I read the lyrics of our national anthem it evokes in me conflicting emotions, emotions of a promises broken, trusts betrayed and dreams turned nightmares. The 5th verse of our national anthem says ‘the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain…’’ and I wonder who those heroes are? What were their labours? and whether all they have done (if any) had not been in vain? In case any body gets me wrong, my own true top 10 Nigerian heroes are listed below:

(1)The prehistoric Mungo Park who died in new Bussa while ‘’discovering” the Niger River and thus first placed the entity that later became “Nigeria” (Niger Area) on the world map. (2) Bishop Ajayi Crowther who brought indigenous education and Christianity to Nigeria. (3) Mary Slessor, the matriarch of medicine (nursing) who saw to it that we stopped murdering twins in Calabar and eventually in Nigeria; and who else, (4) the British business men called the colonialists whose business forays into the West African coast made Ajayi Crowther and Mary Slessor possible? And (5) is to the first noticeable Nigerian politician whose politics gave birth to constitutional leadership in Post Amalgamated Nigeria, Sir Herbert Macaulay whose only enduring epitaphs are his face on one of Nigeria’s currency and a major street named after him somewhere in Lagos. (6) great political leaders like the great Zik of Africa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (SAN), Sir Ahmaddu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and of course Sir Tafawa Balewa the only prime minister we ever had. (7) Then came a Gen. Murtala Mohammed who in his short reign represented the best and the worst of military rulership in Nigeria; and gave Nigeria a sense of direction in the 70’s when his colleagues were wondering what to spend Nigeria’s wealth upon. He was felled by those to whom he entrusted the Nigerian revolution and with him perhaps died the dream that could have been. I find it hard to call any of our political leaders past or living heroes, with the exception of Awo for the singular feat of making free education and health possible between 1979 and 1983 in the western states of Nigeria of which I was a direct beneficiary. Our past and present political leaders can not be heroes because collectively they are responsible for the broken promises and the failed dreams that the Nigerian project has now become.

(8) Professionally and educationally I find compelling the achievements of the late Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN), (legal and constitutional) Prof. Awojobi, (engineering) (9) Prof. Chinua Achebe, and Prof. Wole Soyinka (literature and academics) and Emegwali (Computer) as living heroes.

Does anybody think I may have left any worthy hero of the Nigerian project out?… please wait for it.

On this occasion of our 47th anniversary I salute as (10): the greatest heroes of Nigeria, those unsung or sometimes popular heroes who for one reason or the other became victims of the failed Nigerian project, the millions who died in the civil war and other religious or political riots in Nigeria; those felled by armed robber’s, militant’s, (occultist’s) and or assasin’s bullets; those felled by accidental discharges at check points and those who died as a result of extra-judicial killings or from political schemings and schisms; those who died because of inadequate, unavailable, unaffordable or untimely medical care; those whose careers were either truncated or compromised as a result of inefficient systems or parastatals. To them all I say rest in peace (for those dead) or aluta continua (to the living. I borrow from Sonny Okosun’s “which way Nigeria” and say let us (continue) to pray for Nigeria so (that) Nigeria won’t die.

These posts may have related contents:



24 comment(s)

  1. pammy | Sep 29, 2007 | Reply

    :-)

  2. Misi | Sep 29, 2007 | Reply

    Very well said Mr Olu. Nigeria’s independence day is a time to reflect on where we are going and also to celebrate courageous Nigerians who have given their lives to make Nigeria whole.

  3. Don Thieme | Sep 29, 2007 | Reply

    Fela Anikulapo Kuti. No more nor less flawed than many of the men whom you have already named.

  4. Omotaylor | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    Thank you so much for this post. I woke up today feeling sick, tired and in a low mood for my country Nigeria makes me weep daily. Thanks for mentioning those real heroes of your last paragraph. The heroes dead are mentioned and the heroes living include all those daily struggling and fighting to live and make it in Nigeria. The mothers who will sell even the clothes on their bodies to make sure their children are educated but even if these children graduate, no jobs (i.e. if they do not become cultists in school). For parents watching their children die of sickness because there is no proper medical care, or no money to pay for drugs etc, Yes heroes they are that continually lose loved ones on death trap roads. Ken Saro Wiwa and other freedom fighters are heroes, be they dead or alive. Ordinary citizens so abused by the system in Nigeria and called on to sing patriotic songs are heroes, and above all, those who chose to remain and not take a flight although all is not going on well in Nigeria are heroes. Lastly, all those who will come together and do something about the state of Nigeria in practice and not just theory will be heroes. Those who return home enmasse and start the process of recovery and restructure in collaboration with those on ground who really want a better Nigeria will be celebrated as heroes in years to come. Time now for us to do something. Can Lofters form a group of God chosen heroes for Nigeria?

  5. Omotaylor | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    Please see my very simple post on June 2 via this link: http://www.africanloft.com/is-it-time-for-a-new-nigerian-anthem/

  6. sokari ekine | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    Just one woman on this list? I nominate as No 1 Mrs Fumilayo Ransom Kuti and No 2Mrs Margaret Ekpo

  7. ifade olusegun | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    Nigeria at 47, i belive is a time for our present leader to sit down, to realize that, if not for our past leaders who summoned the courage to say no to corrupt pratcise in their various public office then, by now Nigerias will not be witnessing it’s 47 in peace and harmony. To add to the list of our present hero, i nominate our efcc boss, in person of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and his workers and also our sports men and women especailly samuel peter for refusing to collect telling the world that everything is not about money in Nigeria by rejecting the millinos of dollar for his tittle.

  8. wole | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    @omotaylor: it would be a pleasure to belong to such a priviledged forum. more than ever now Nigeria needs credibility. At 47 we should try and be the best that God ordained us to be. God bless us all!

  9. Ayooluwa | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    Nigeria at 47!!!!!!!!!! Hip! Hip!! HIp!!! Today s a very pleasant day in the lifes of the CITIZENS of Nigeria. Exactly, 47 years ago, a baby was born anew and all its past became a tool to the future. It has been ruled and “fathered” by many parents starting from Nnamdi Azikwe to Umar Musa Yar’adua. Today that baby can stand in front of nations and beat its chest aloud for the eath to see. This baby is OUR GREAT NATIONS. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. HAY BIRTHDAY NIGERIA.

  10. Don Thieme | Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    @sokari: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti is most certainly one of Nigeria’s true heroes. I urge anyone who has not done so to read the fascinating biography of FRK in Black Looks which Sokari has linked to above.

  11. Omotaylor | Oct 2, 2007 | Reply

    @Wole, I really pray we are able to form such a forum. I know some groups have started and Nigerianlighthouse is one. Africanloft has many passionate Authors, writers and viewers and I beleive Caretaker can add this idea of forming a forum/group to his development of the Loft to Lofty Grandeur. Caretaker what do you think? We need to start from somewhere and I am still racking my brain as to where to start.

  12. Jomo | Oct 2, 2007 | Reply

    Excellent post on our 47th anniversary. thank you for the timely history lesson reminder, especially on all of our important heroes before our independence. I also second the opinions of previous respondents Don and Sokari in including both Fela and his mother Dr Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti on the list of Nigerian heroes. Both fought for our freedom and progress and a nation in their own trailblazing and pioneering ways. In Fela’s case, we MUST acknowledge and honor our musical and cultural heroes, they are the ones that communicate progressive ideas to the people which eventually take root. Excellent and timely article; congratulations to Nigeria on our 47th anniversary!

  13. Beauty | Oct 14, 2007 | Reply

    It is a shame that our best seemed pretty much ordinary and 47th year of “nobody to blame” is another unfortunate celebration of mediocre.

    Our national anthem makes me sick for the logical incompatibility among its propositions, COMPATRIOTS, OBEY, SERVE, FATHERS LAND, LOVE, STRENGTH, FAITH,PEACE, UNITY and many more.

    Our country has become a lawless fiefdom where the words above have no meanings. “Nigeria is a country that does not work, Schools, universities, roads, hospitals, water, the economy, security, life.” Chinua Achebe.

    Hero worship may yet get us to the place where we want to be. At 47, my heros are people like you creating a miracle everyday.

  14. Jide AS. | Oct 14, 2007 | Reply

    Olu,
    Thanks for this write-up. I’ve thought along same line. However, much as I admired Pa Awo, I wouldn’t single him out as exceptional on the basis of free education (& health). The Sardauna of Sokoto introduced free education throughout the North, even before Awo, and I (a westerner) also benefitted from it. But, how about Pa IMOUDU, the great Nigerian Labour Congress heroe who fought for the welfare of Nigerian workers without acquiring any furtune for himself. So also was the great AMINU KANO who fought relentlessly for the welfare of Talakawas (the poor) and died poor. Furthermore, inspite of what people may say about Tafawa Balewa, I consider him a heroe for not lining his pocket with loot from our national treasury - at his death, the only house to his name was the 2 bed-room house he built in Bauchi as teacher (reminds of Nyerere of Tanzania). I consider these last 3 as among (not the only) true Heroes of Nigeria.

  15. Tanan | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply

    Thanks for your posting… I am not living in Nigeria but in East Africa, and I love listings. Could we come up with an African Heroes list…? Without numbering, only ten names? Should we avoud the obvious (Nobel prize winners Nelson Mandela, Wangari Muta Maathai, Kofi Annan)? Who has has most influence on Africa as a whole?

  16. Yinka of Lagos. | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply

    This will have to be done on a regional basis I think; easier listing the top 10 vagabond-leaders :)

    I will list the various African men and women on peacekeeping missions as my heroes.

  17. wole Akindutire | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply

    @Jide, thanks for the information on the great Sardaunna of Sokoto and free education in the North even before pa Awo’s; i didn’t know that. Pa Imodou definitely was an oversight, even as the NLC was unable to impact the lives of Nigerian workers in his time(unlike the Oshiomole era) pa Imodou’s tenacity was legendary. like i once said, I am reluctant to ascribe too much to our politicians, from 1960 - 1966 our leaders were ruled by personal or sectional, parochial tendencies to the detriment of public national interests. Our nation paid dearly for it. The coup d’etats and counter coups; civil war and the consequent birthing of corruption all were founded way back in the 60’s and who were the gladiators then?

  18. ME | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply

    I believe MOST IF NOT ALL of the national leaders that we have had till Obasanjo have used sectional and parochial tendencies. Sometimes, I read the comments on this website and I have to shake my head, it seems that some people really believe in the “we are better than them” tendency. This is the second time, that someone is claiming that Nnamdi Azikiwe is responsible for the situation in Nigeria….pls, give me a freaking break!! Have we looked at the mirror recently?

  19. wole Akindutire | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply

    @ME:Nnamdi Azikiwe? i don’t know what you are talking about; but… and i think it will take another write up to say what i know about this very intersting period in Nigeria’s history,(1960-1966) Please, help me find out when and where tribalism started from in Nigeria, and also if you can, also help me find out which tribe dominated the Nigerian Army prior to the conflageration called “wild wild west” a conflageration that eventually consumed Nigeria. When you do maybe you can come back here then we will talk some more.

  20. Omotaylor | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply

    @Ayooluwa, “Today that baby can stand in front of nations and beat its chest aloud for the eath to see. This baby is OUR GREAT NATIONS”… This “baby” at 47 is still behaving like a baby and not an adult that it should be. As for beating its chest aloud, I think this “baby” is hammering its head daily for all to see. Only God knows how much further hammering it would take to smash the baby’s head in. This baby needs to grow up, change and mature in all areas - morally, economically, culturally and oh yes politically. And for the baby being a great nation, are we still living in the past. For this baby we see today is struggling to keep a good name. If we dont come out honestly to take stock properly, then we are fooling ourselves.

  21. Tina | Oct 19, 2007 | Reply

    This is good. I know Prof. Dora Akunyili is still alive, but I feel her efforts should be commended. She is a great woman and may God continue to protect her from every wind of evil and frustrate the devil’s plans for her life. Amen. May God’s protection continually be over her and her family.

  22. Lasunkanmi Tela, MIN | Jan 22, 2008 | Reply

    i wish to commend your effort and salute your courage for being able to put up this list - i believe in it.
    But i wish to ask that all Nigerians take note of the fact that the second stanza of our national anthem ought to eb the first, it is more detailed, and itr shows a sense of God fearing and trust in the One and only God who can help us, save us and show us the way forward.
    i think if we had made it our first stanza or at list sing the two stanzas together each time we sing, we may never had at any time have had any religious crisis.

  23. Olu | May 12, 2008 | Reply

    find through hero here http://oyee.ayewa.org/

  24. chukwunonso elvis | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply

    Am so impressed by this page.

    stuned to see that there are still people left,who think good about this nation.
    Nigeria is great,i believe it.
    I believe in the unity of Nigeria,
    I believe in the visions of Nigeria,
    I believe in the greatness of this Republic.

    am a Nigerian for life no matter what,no matter where i find myself tomorrow.
    i will keep fly the green and white so high,for the world to see.

    GOD BLESS GREAT NIGERIA.

2 trackback(s)

  1. From RE- ENGINEERING NIGERIA: Identifying and Correcting Past Mistakes (PART 1) - AfricanLoft | Oct 16, 2007

  2. From Baby name meaning and origin for Balewa | Nov 18, 2008

Post a comment