Interestingly, Nigeria’s Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was among the three figures who received accolades and the endorsement of respondents across the African continent. The other two giants were Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Dr. Nelson Mandela of South Africa. It is as instructive as it is interesting to note that both Nkrumah and Mandela were students of Zikism, and as a matter of fact regarded Azikiwe as their mentor.
Zik was a great leader who devoted his life for service.
In his authorbiography titled: “My Odyssey,” published in 1972, he said: “I Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, hereby make a solemn vow before God and man: First, that henceforth I shall dedicate my life to the emancipation of the continent of Africa from the shackles of imperialism and to the redemption of my country from the manacles of foreign rule.”
Like the legendary Ben Gurion who led modern Isreal to independence in 1948, it is undisputable that Zik spearheaded the African liberation project to the amazement of the global world.
Coming back from the United States of America in 1934 with a bagful of degrees, Azikiwe established a chain of newspapers to arouse consciousness among Africans, and also show the light for the people to find their way.
He encouraged the likes of Kwame Nkrumah, Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, Akwaeke Nwafor Orizu among others to return to school so as to be prepared for the onslaught against imperialist forces.
For his unprecedented ruthless propaganda that would eventually remind the British that they were mere tenants in Africa, a great American historian, James S. Coleman in his book: Nigeria – Background To Nationalism said: “During the fifteen year period (1934-1949) Nnamdi Azikiwe was undoubtedly the most celebrated nationalist leader on the West Coast of Africa, if not in tropical Africa.”
Aliyu Baba Barau, NTA producer of THE HEROES summed up Zik’s place thus: “Zik is the greatest African statesman of the 20th century.”Bayo Williams, a University Professor agrees. He said of Azikiwe’s height: “In 1952, Zik became Chief Minister and leader of government business in Eastern Nigeria. Zik, the great citizen of the world, the mentor of Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere, the sparing partner of the great African-American intellectuals and cultural icons could not imagine himself being boxed in and confined to a grimy coal city.” Williams continued: “With the magnificent frame and physique of a former prize fighter, a charismatic presence and the spellbinding power of an American Bible belt orator, the handsome and prepossessing Zik was a truly compelling politician. He was unarguably the greatest political figure of Nigeria’s pre-independence era.”
It was not for fun that men, women of substance and patriotism gathered in 1946 to establish an organization named after him to advance the course of African independence.
Zikist Movement was to be an unprecedented body of radical freedom fighters who saw Dr. Azikiwe as an uncompromising fearless fang equipped to confront the British to submission. I recall, as if it were yesterday, the sagacity and prowess of the compatriots, namely, Kola Balogun, Fred Anyiam, Raji Abdallah, their President-General; Osita Agwuna; Ikenna Nzimiro; Saidi Zungur; Mokwugwo Okoye and MCK AjuluChukwu.
Others who were part of the call for REVOLUTION were, Anthony Enahoro; Mbazulike Amaechi; Funmilayo Ransome Kuti; Janet Mokelu; RBK Okafor; JOJ Okezie; Adegoke Adelabu; TOS Benson; Adeniran Ogunsanya; Nduka Eze; Abiodu Aloba; Oged Macaulay; Smart Ebbi; Margaret Ekpo among others.
Those other personalities who spoke about the Owelle in glowing terms were, but not limited to Gani Fawehinmi, Bill Clinton, Jim Nwobodo, Kenneth Kaunda, Paul Unongo, Omo Omoruyi, Yakubu Gowon, Maitama Sule, Solomon Lar, Janet Akinrinade, Areoye Oyebola, Anyim Pius Anyim, Tekena Tamuno, Tam David-West, Duro Onabule and great many others. When the Owelle of Ọnitsha passed on in1996 at 92, the military administrator of then Anambra State challenged Nigerian, nay African leaders: “We must all today try in our small ways to live like Zik.”
“His life and times will remain a beacon for Nigeria and Nigerians. If we are able to live by his example, our country will be better for it. For all the positions of power he held, many as first, Zik was never in his lifetime looked upon in terms of material wealth. “Although he is a man of enterprise and by no means deprived, he harnessed his resources to the good of man and never cut the nauseating image of pomp and extravagance for which Nigerians of lesser means than him have become notorious.”
How many political actors listened to Colonel Rufai Garba?
How many successive Heads of State or Presidents really dedicated their lives to public service as the Zik of Africa, Nigeria’s first President and first indegenous Governor-General.
Hate him, Love him, there is eternal respect for this doyen, the legend who like India’s Mahatma Gandhi lived for others. It will not be a bad idea if the Federal government decides to declare November 16, every year a public holiday in honour of this accomplished Man of the gone by Millennium.
By Amah Baldwin From my Reporter’s Diary
This article is in marking the birthday of Zik of Africa.
Note: Born Nov. 16, 1904, Died May 11, 1996, Buried Nov. 16, 1996, Zik would have been 117 years November 16, 2021
