On this day, 11th of May, 1996 (exactly 30 years ago), Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Owelle of Onitsha)

On this day, 11th of May, 1996 (exactly 30 years ago), Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Owelle of Onitsha)

On this day, 11th of May, 1996 (exactly 30 years ago), Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Owelle of Onitsha) bowed to death. Zik of Africa as he was fondly called was a mercurial orator, journalist, astute administrator, political philosopher, fair politician and a crowd mover any day. His mastery of the English registers was second to none as his diction can only be compared with the British. Even at old age, he was too good in public speaking and had an unmistakable way of winning the audience on his side. Zik on returning to Nigeria from the US in 1937, established the morning post; a platform he used to sensitize Nigerians and criticize the ills of the colonial office. He later teamed up with the Late Herbert Marcauley in NCNC; a political party he would later lead and maximize for nationalistic quest towards pursuit of independence. Zik was at the forefront of all moves towards independence struggle and indeed stopped the colonialists from more years of enjoyment of Nigeria’s oil just discovered in 1956; an act that irked British authorities (10 Downing Street, the Palace and colonial office) and a secret decision was taken to deny him the leadership of Nigeria. In the nationalistic move for independence, no one comes close to Zik but he was the only sub-saharan African foremost leader of independence struggle that was denied leadership of his country; too bad. It is on record that with NCNC, Zik won the Western Region House of Representative elections and was to form a government before Awolowo sold tribal politics to his kinsmen via the cross carpeting and Zik had to go to the East and displaced Eyo Ita in Enugu as Head of Government Business. Ziks move infuriated Ita and certain minorities in the East setting the stage for mistrust that exists between Ndigbo and other Eastern minorities till date. Zik’s highest electoral office was the premier of the East. The compensatory roles of Governor-General and later President were ceremonial devoid of major political power to take far-reaching decisions. In retrospect, it appeared Zik’s push for Nigeria’s Independence was too early as events that happened later showed marked streaks of immaturity on the part of leaders like Tafawa Balewa, Gowon, Murtala etc. Again, his insistence on a united Nigeria has in every respect proved a wrong experiment. ZIK LIVED AND DIED FOR NIGERIA. As we remember him today, it calls for a decisive action to give the respective people of this geographical space called Nigeria an opportunity to live with the right of freedom, dignity and purpose as envisaged by this great leader whether within this Nigeria entity or any other after it that suits that agenda. THIS HISTORY IS IMPERATIVE AND SHOULD BE KNOWN BY YOU.