By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    G7 finance leaders seek non-tariff consensus in Canada, may face US pushback
    Ahead G7 Summit, Finance Ministers Seek Non-tariff Consensus In Canada, May Face US Pushback
    1 week ago
    Over 28,000 Women And Girls Killed In Gaza Since October 2023
    1 week ago
    Global Aid Cut
    New Report Reveals How Global Aid Cuts Affecting Women’s Organisations Aiding Women In Crises
    2 weeks ago
    UNICEF Raises Alarm Over 14m Children Worldwide At Risk Of Malnutrition
    2 months ago
    United Nations for Women
    In 8 Days, 830 Killed In Gaza – UN Women Raises Alarm
    2 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Africa Leaders Summit: US To Strengthening Partnerships To Meet Shared Priorities
    2 years ago
    President Ruto Rallies Kenyans To Move Nation Forward
    2 years ago
    Tanzania: United Nations Steps Up Efforts To Build Climate Resilience
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    ECOWAS Marathon Race Director Okon Congratulates Commission on 50th Anniversary
    13 hours ago
    Africa Day: Majority of Africans Want African Nations Be Given Greater Influence In International Decision-making Bodies
    3 days ago
    Edelman Africa Launches Regional Advisory To Support Global Institution Growth In Africa
    2 weeks ago
    African Union Champions Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Socioeconomic Transformation
    2 months ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Nobody Can Hijack Our Mandate, Vows Osun Gov, Adeleke
    2 years ago
    PDP To Osun People: Oyetola Is A ‘Political Leprosy’, Run For Cover
    2 years ago
    UI Alumni Association Hails Okowa’s Giant Strides In Delta State
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    LG Election: Stakeholders Appeal To APC Not To Allow Chairmen Run For 3rd term
    3 weeks ago
    More APC Chairmanship Aspirants Reject Indirect Primary For Local Govt Elections In Lagos State
    3 weeks ago
    Youth Party Sets May 18 for Lagos LG Primary Elections, Slashes Fees For Women and PWDs
    1 month ago
    Oyo State Faces Herculean Task in Picking Makinde’s Successor – Chief Ayorinde
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    12 months ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    IMSUAA 2025 Convention: Two Artistes From Lagos Chapter To Light Up Event
    3 days ago
    Lagos SWAN Celebrates Yeni Kuti On Her Special Day
    4 days ago
    Ado Ekiti Honours One of Its Own: A Tribute To Chief Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi
    5 days ago
    Owo Security Summit Holds 26 May
    6 days ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Evergreen Music Boss Reiterates Commitment To Preservation Of Nigerian Music 
    2 years ago
    Stevetech Electrical Engineering Enterprise Boss Ties Knot With Halimat In Lagos
    2 years ago
    Quest Evicted, As Precious Mac, Victory Make Nigerian Idol Season 8 Finale
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Nigerian Idol Season 10 Live Shows Are Underway as the Top 10 Battle for Stardom
    2 days ago
    Nigeria Strengthens Fight Against Content Piracy Through Strategic Partnerships
    6 days ago
    Prestige, Impact: Why AMVCA is the People’s Award Show
    3 weeks ago
    Celebrating African Cinema: AMVCA’s Growing Influence in Global Entertainment
    1 month ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Amazing Looks Of Jennifer Lopez In Her Three Unique Wedding Gowns
    3 years ago
    NCPC, Lagos Christian Pilgrims Board Tour Israel, Jordan Ahead 2024 Pilgrimage
    12 months ago
    Isese: Court Summons IGP, Kwara Govt, Others Over Detained Traditionalists
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab
    2 days ago
    Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and Toledo Museum of Art Launch Historic Cultural Exchange
    3 weeks ago
    Piracy in Africa’s Creative Sector: How Creators Can Protect Their Content
    1 month ago
    Fanti Carnival Returns To Lagos This Easter Sunday
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Lagos Will Continue To Lead Initiatives That Accelerate Economic Diversification – Sanwo-Olu
    6 days ago
    Afreximbank
    Afreximbank Reports Strong Performance For Q1 2025 In Line With expectations
    1 week ago
    Pan-African Payment & Settlement System
    Nigeria Unlocks Intra-African Trade With New Pan-African Payment & Settlement System Policy Boost
    3 weeks ago
    Impact Of Online Trading Platforms Like Temu On Nigeria’s Economy
    3 weeks ago
    Unity Bank Launches GenFi, Targets Children, Teens With Gamified Banking Platform
    3 weeks ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    South Africa’s Cannabis Growers In Pondoland Left Behind By Legalisation Plans
    3 years ago
    WHO Expands Health Services Support For Vulnerable Populations In Nigeria’s Northeast
    2 years ago
    trachoma
    WHO Commends Benin, Mali For Eliminating Trachoma As Public Health Problem
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Alimosho Football Coaches Council Set For Health, Safety Business Workshop
    6 days ago
    World Hypertension Day: Merck Foundation Commits To Improving Cardiovascular And Diabetes Care Across Africa
    2 weeks ago
    First Lady Gives Paediatric Support To Indigent Patients At Lagos General Hospital
    2 weeks ago
    Salt Awareness Week: CAPPA Urges Fed Nigerian Govt To Accelerate Salt Reduction Targets Regulation
    2 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: The Legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo: Lessons for Today’s Leaders in Nigeria
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Opinion > The Legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo: Lessons for Today’s Leaders in Nigeria
OpinionPolitics

The Legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo: Lessons for Today’s Leaders in Nigeria

Last updated: 2024/12/11 at 5:06 PM
6 months ago
Share
SHARE

BY SENATOR BABAFEMI OJUDU

  1. Introduction

My dear brother, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, leader of this movement, the great men and women who have stood staunchly by him on this tortuous journey, and our compatriots from the grassroots of the State of Osun—yes, the State of Osun—allow me to say that only the deep can call to the deep.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed progressives, it is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today. We gather not merely to reminisce but to reflect deeply on the life, work, and enduring legacy of one of Nigeria’s greatest statesmen: Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Decades after his death and more than half a century after he governed this part of our country with integrity, we still find ourselves going back to call on his ideals and ideas to inform us and direct us aright. Such is the power of visionary leadership—the type of leadership I believe all of you here today are signing up for.

Recently, in Lagos, at the home of our leader sitting here, some politicians who had wandered off in search of greener pastures returned to him, lamenting that the pasture they sought was not as green as they had imagined. His response left me deeply inspired. He told them: We are willing to have you back, but only on one condition—that you dedicate yourselves to the fight for a better society, to the building of a sane and just society. We are tired of the politics of “me and me alone.” We must return to the ways of our forebears who gave their lives to the struggle for a just society.

This philosophy, this ethos, is what has gathered us here today.

Let me share an anecdote to set the tone. Once, during a heated debate in parliament, Chief Awolowo was asked why he spent so much of his energy and resources on education when there were seemingly “more pressing issues” like roads and bridges. He replied, with characteristic clarity, “The best road to progress is the road to the mind.”

This commitment to building the “road to the mind” fascinates me and is reflected in the movement that has commenced here in Osun State. If we fail to cultivate the minds of our people and continue with the current “grab, snatch, and run” philosophy, our doom is inevitable. As pioneers of this new tendency, you have a monumental task to show good examples and to spread this gospel—like the Jehovah’s Witnesses—across our land.

  1. The Leadership Legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

a. Visionary Leadership

Chief Awolowo was a leader ahead of his time. He envisioned a Western Region that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with developed countries. Under his leadership, this vision manifested in groundbreaking policies and initiatives.

One of the most striking examples is the establishment of regional economic hubs and the Cocoa House, the tallest building in Africa at the time—a symbol of prosperity funded entirely by agricultural revenue.

Awolowo believed that “Leadership without vision is like a ship without a compass.” His strategic foresight allowed the Western Region to thrive while others faltered.

b. Commitment to Education

Imagine the audacity: free primary education in a region where many considered schooling a luxury! Yet, Awolowo made it happen, and the results were transformative. Within a decade, literacy levels in the Western Region soared, creating a generation equipped to lead in all fields—education, medicine, law, and beyond.

Awolowo often declared, “Any people who want to develop must educate their children.”

My late father, a product of that era, often said, “If Awolowo didn’t invest in us, we would still be waiting for a miracle to save us.” That is the enduring power of education.

c. Economic Development and Infrastructure

Under Awolowo, development was not abstract—it was visible and tangible. Roads connected towns and villages; Liberty Stadium became a symbol of excellence; industrial estates brought jobs and dignity to the people.

Awolowo once said, “Man is a bundle of needs, but his basic needs must be met first before he can aspire to higher things.”

d. Ethical Leadership

Chief Awolowo lived and governed with integrity. In an era when many saw public office as an avenue for personal enrichment, he remained above reproach. His fiscal discipline was legendary; every penny in the public treasury was accounted for.

He warned us, “A corrupt mind will always find an excuse to be dishonest.” Compare this to the rampant corruption today, where public funds are siphoned with impunity.

e. Advocacy for Federalism

Awolowo was a staunch advocate of true federalism—a structure where regions could develop at their own pace, harnessing their strengths without being stifled by over-centralization.

His writings in Path to Nigerian Freedom highlight the dangers of a unitary system masquerading as federalism. Today, the calls for restructuring echo his foresight.

  1. The Challenges Before Today’s Leaders in Nigeria

a. Lack of Visionary Leadership
Today, many leaders prioritize short-term gains over long-term development. The ruling philosophy today seems to be: grab power, run with it, and never tell us what you intend to do with it. What we have seen is a collection of brigands deploying power for their own aggrandizement.

b. Education Crisis
The state of education today would deeply sadden Awolowo. Public schools are underfunded, teachers are poorly paid, and students lack access to quality learning materials.

Awolowo once lamented, “The children of the poor you fail to train today will become the adults who will tear down society tomorrow.”

c. Economic Instability
Awolowo built an economy rooted in agriculture, local industry, and self-sufficiency. Today, our over-reliance on oil has left us vulnerable to global shocks.

d. Corruption and Accountability
Corruption has become so normalized that it feels like part of our political DNA. Yet, Awolowo’s example proves that ethical governance is possible.

e. Federalism and Governance
The current federal structure has led to inefficiencies and inequality. Awolowo’s vision of empowering regions to govern themselves and develop at their own pace remains a viable solution.

  1. Lessons from Awolowo’s Leadership for Today’s Leaders

If Awolowo were alive today, what would he tell us?
• “Plan for the long term.” Leadership demands careful planning, not charisma alone.
• “Invest in education.” An educated populace is a liberated populace.
• “Prioritize integrity.” Public office is a trust, not an entitlement.
• “Empower regions.” Let every region harness its strengths to uplift the nation.
• “Be inclusive.” Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.

  1. Conclusion: A Call to Action

As we reflect on Awolowo’s legacy, we must ask ourselves: What kind of leaders does Nigeria need today? The answer lies in the values he embodied—vision, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to the people.

Let me close with Awolowo’s immortal words:
“It is not life that matters, but the courage you bring into it.”

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. With courage, clarity of purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility, we can overcome our challenges and create a nation worthy of our children.

Thank you.

  • A speech delivered in the State of Osun to members of Omoluabi Progressives .

You Might Also Like

Hypertension: Case for Sodium Consumption Regulation, Healthier Diets

Tinubu’s Lifejacket And A Deer’s Sacred Skin By Festus Adedayo

Unplanned and Unprepared: Scary Outlook Of Retirement No One Talks About

EKITI’26: “Between Hullabaloo And Logic”

How Warning Labels Can Save Nigerians from Toxic Diets

TAGGED: Obafemi Awolowo
INadminNG December 11, 2024 December 11, 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Abuja Agog, as Makems Excites Fashion Lovers at 2024 Jewellery Exhibition
Next Article Rising Star League: Brothers At War As Chekas United, Angels FC Clash In Round Of 24
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?