The Awolowo family

I have been following the controversy with deep interest not necessarily because of the politics involved but also from a social and human angle.

I for one have had the singular privilege of interacting with the Awolowo family spanning several decades and both of our families, the Awolowos and the Rewanes have been close and this goes beyond politics. I can say without hesitation that the Awolowo Family is a great pride to the Yoruba race.

Awolowo and mama H.I.D during their

Having said that after meticulously building his political base among his people (which all serious politicians should do) the late sage, who was certainly not a tribalist, spread his political network to other regions.

There was J.S.Tarka, Patrick Dokotri, Solomon Lar and Olawoyin in the region now called the North Central or the middle belt.

In Calabar, Ogoja region, now called Rivers, Cross-River and Akwa Ibom States, there was S.T.Umoren, Udo Udoma, Steve Ricketts, Wenike Briggs etc in what is now the South East, there was S.G.Ikoku, who even contested against his own father because of his love for the Action Group founded by the Egbe Omo Oduduwa (which also included Alfred Rewane, and Chief Arthur Prest from the then Mid-West)

Of course in the Mid-West there was the Alfred Rewane (fondly called Ogidigbo by both the Sage, Mama and his Action Group associates alike) Chief Anthony Enahoro, the Adolor of Uromi and Education Minister in the Western Region, late Chief Ighodaro, the Iyasere (Prime Minster) of Benin, Chief Demas Akpore of Orogun in Delta State. There were the younger turks of the time like Anthony Oboh, and Henry Olieri, who followed the late sage to prison on trumped up treasonable felony charges.

Throughout all these travails Mama H.I.D and her children were steadfast as the Rock of Gibraltar. An common loyalty these days.

In the far North even though the Action Group littered their campaign pamphlets over several Emirs Palaces by helicopter, the Sage was highly respected, admired for his courage and intellect and recognised his achievements which were unparalleled among his peers. The Western region where he was the Premier had achieved an unbeatable level of development with meagre resources when compared to what the States have today. He had the highest respect for the late Ahmadu Bello despite their political differences. There was no bitterness from the Old man, when some of his trusted political associates decided to move to other parties in later years, He was a quintessential democrat and believed that people had the right to choose whichever party they wished to join.

The Founding Fathers of the Nigeria nation-Left -Awolowo,Ahmadu Bello,Azikwe

Throughout this period the Sage was fortunate to have a formidable lady at his side, Mama H.I.D as we all fondly used to call her. What many people have also forgotten is that Wole Mama’s second eldest son successfully won the election for Chairman of Apapa LGA in Lagos effortlessly on his own steam and run a competent LGA administration and helped many budding politicians who are now holding high office. I could go on and on, but I will leave that to another day when

I launch my second book at the formal launch of the Alfred Rewane Foundation, The book is titled the History of the Action Group

The Awolowo family like all human people are not perfect, but they are a rare breed committed to the welfare and development of their people and Nigeria as whole. That cannot be disputed.

Tosan Alfred Rewane, Warri, Delta State.Nigerian Tribune,Tuesday, 21 June 2011