BY
BIODUN DARE
Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro, who passed on, on the fifteenth of December, 2010 would be long remembered for different reasons. As a nationalist, Nigeria will remembered Chief Enahoro as the man who first moved the motion for Nigeria’s Independent in 1953. By that motion he argued that Nigeria should be granted independence in 1956 but this was met by stiff opposition in Parliament and it failed. The motion for Nigeria’s independence was not successfully moved in the Nigerian Parliament until 1958. As a Journalist, Chief Enahoro was the youngest ever editor of a Nigerian Newspaper at the age of 21. He achieved this feat in 1944 when he became the editor of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Newspaper, the Southern Nigerian Defender, Ibadan. He later became the editor of Zik’s Comet, kano between 1945 – 49, also associated editor West African Pilot, Lagos and editor-in-chief Morning Star, from 1950 to 1953.
Of all his numerous contributions to national development, the most recently and perhaps most fondly remembered was his role in the Pro-Democracy group. ‘National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. As Chairman of this group, Chief Anthony Enahoro along with other pro-Democracy activists resisted the military regime of the time, laying down their freedom, comfort and risking their lives to enthrone Democratic rule in the country. Pa Enahoro’s life is a lesson in patriotism, perseverance, belief in one’s country, doggedness and consistency. Educated at the government School Uromi, Government School Owo and King’s College, Lagos, Chief Enahoro began his activism early in life as a student. As early as 1940, while still a student at the King’s college, he led a liberation struggle against colonial rule leading to student revolts at college. Chief Enahoro became a foundation member of Chief Awolowo’s Action Group party; Secretary and Chairman, Ishan Division Council; member Western House of Assembly; and later, member, Federal House of Representative in 1951.
He later became Minister of Home Affairs in the old western region. He was the Opposition Spokesman on Foreign policy and Legislative Affairs in the Federal House of Representatives from 1959 to 1963. He was also a delegate to most of the constitutional conferences leading to the independence of Nigeria in 1960. As Editor of the Daily Comet (Lagos), he published a key expose of British colonial misconduct, earning a nine-month jail sentence for the crime of sedition in 1946. In 1947 he again ran foul of the colonialists with a speech denouncing Police violence, for which he received another 8 months in jail. his third detention by the British was also in 1949, after he Chaired a lecture for the Zikist Movement. Undaunted, undeterred, and unfazed, the young Enahoro stuck to his pro-people principles all through his life. Chief Enahoro was later elected to the Western House of Assembly and to the transitional parliament as a member of Obafemi Awolowo’s party, the Action Group. In the Western Regional Government led by Chief Awolowo, he became information and Home Affairs Minister. He was a foundation member of the Governing Council of the University of lfe (now Obafemi Awolowo University). When the Western Regional Government was subverted in 1964, Chief Enahoro and others were declared wanted and eventually jailed. The story of his own escape to Britain and his eventual extradition back to Nigeria is retold in his 1965 book, Fugitive Offender. Eventually, he was released and joined the Nigerian wartime government as Federal Minister for Information, as well as leader of the Nigerian delegation to the United nations General Assembly. Chief Enahoro was conferred with the national honour of Commander, Order of the Federal Republic, CFR, in 1982. He was the Chairman of the Movement for national Reformation, MNR; and the Pro-National Conference Organisation, PRONACO. He was awarded honorary DSC by the University of Benin in 1972. Chief Enahoro even in death remains a role model for Nigerian Youths, many of whom face despondency and lethargy today. Nigerian Youths should, like Chief Enahoro, believe in their nation and give their best to ensure Justice, equity and fairness for all, irrespective of political, religious or social leanings. After all, we have no other country. The values of cultural integrity, rule of Law, and sound Democratic Governance should be preserved and sustained as this is the only effective way to immortalize him.
Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary
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