By ADA DIKE
At the launch of a book titled: “Yoruba Elites and
Ethnic Politics in Nigeria- Obafemi Awolowo and Corporate Agency,” speakers
stressed the need for Yoruba elites to unite and follow the steps of the late Yoruba
patriarch, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Chaired by the former Nigerian representative at
the United Nations, Professor Agboola Gambari, the book which was written by Dr
Wale Adebanwi, was presented last week Thursday, April 17, 2014 at The MUSON
Centre, Lagos.
In his review of the book, Executive Editor of TheNEWS/P.M.NEWS
Mr.
Kunle Ajibade, stated that in “Yoruba Elites and Ethnic Politics in Nigeria:
Obafemi Awolowo and Corporate Agency,” Wale Adebanwi renders the significance,
the prestige, the influence and the messianic drama of Obafemi Awolowo’s life
in incisive, brilliant, elegant and engaging narrative. He combined his skills
as a trained journalist, a political scientist and anthropologist to conduct a
research which ranges across important territories and domains. “This book, in
its first formulation, was his Ph.D thesis at the University of Cambridge.
Adebanwi displays in it fireworks of theories especially in the introductory
parts which may overwhelm the lay readers but will gladden the hearts of his
academic peers immensely. He interrogates some received theories in order to
propound his own. The theories, if you take time to crack their nuts, will
yield useful insights. Theories that explain and describe Obafemi Awolowo as a
peerless leader who kept the political promises he made. Theories that help to
deepen our understanding of the Awolowo’s mystique, his phenomenon and
charisma. Theories of a leader who remained focussed and kept expanding the
magnitude of his mind and the frontiers of his vision till the very end. And
theories of friends who betray their friends and principles,” said Ajibade.
In her address as the Mother of the day, Yeye
Oodua, Chief (Mrs) H. I. D. Awolowo, charged the Yoruba elites to be united and
shun individual agenda which has not done any good to the Yoruba.
Chief Mrs. Awolowo, who was represented by her
daughter, the Executive Director of Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr Olatokunbo
Awolowo Dosunmu, reminded the Yoruba elites the role they should play, which is
working for the general good and uniting the country.
She advised politicians to emulate Awolowo’s selfless
leadership style so as to build an egalitarian society. She thanked the author
for documenting some of the achievements of her father, which would enrich the younger
generation and generation unborn.
Many
dignitaries at the occasion including Professor Agboola Gambari, Afenifere
leader Honourable Olawale Osun, former Commissioner for
Health in the defunct western region, one of Late Awolowo’s associates
Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, paid tribute to Pa Awo
for his immense contribution towards the development and unity of Nigeria and
also appreciated Adebanwi for writing such informative and well researched
book. They also expressed displeasure about the state of insecurity in the
country and urged Nigerians to join hands in fighting terrorism.
Prof. Gambari charged all Nigerians to be security
conscious and assured Nigerians that the national conference going on in Abuja
would not be hijacked. “As we celebrate, we must also celebrate Yoruba masses
because Yoruba elites cannot exist in isolation in the absence of Nigeria. I am
proud to be man of double heritage – mother from Yoruba side and father from
Hausa. We must celebrate our diversity. Five of us here supposed at the
national conference today but we are here,” said Gambari.
He stressed that the security of the country
today has become everybody’s business and charged everyone to come together and
fight terrorism
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