CHIEF ANTHONY ENAHORO @87 - A TRIBUTE

CHIEF ANTHONY ENAHORO @87 - A TRIBUTE

By Sam Onimisi

Fifty seven years ago, a thirty year old parliamentarian moved a motion for the independence of Nigeria from colonial rule. That motion being the first of its kind, shook the colonial government not a little, even though the motion was defeated. But seven years later, the freedom was attained. He was only 37 in 1960, was born in July 22, 1927 and is today 87 years old. He was a progressive stormy petrel in the quivers of an indefatigable leader of men and ideas.

Chief Anthony Eremosele Enahoro, CFR was about the youngest editor at 23 who ever edited a tabloid in this country. As a result of his activities in the struggle for independence, both as a newspaper editor, or member of the Zikist Movement or as a member of the Western Regional House of Assembly and, at the Federal House of Representatives, he was a sharp arrow of immense depth of reach. He paid the price of freedom as he was made a jail bird with much inconveniences.

As a debater, he was a master of logic who often overwhelmed his opponents with reasons tactically employed in a logical sequence amidst a dazzling staccato of appropriate words as a matter of strategy. I wish you could see the Hansard of the Parliament in the 1950’s to 1962. He was jailed again along with his leader in the aftermath of the Action Group crisis in 1962, a crisis promoted by retrogressive forces who had preferred the British to continue their governance of Nigeria as a fiefdom.

He bounced back to beef up the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon as Minister of Information in the Civil War years of 1967 to 1970. No wonder, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the indomitable visioner, seer and political prophet found a worthy lieutenant in Chief Anthony Enahoro. Having served Nigeria in various capacities with all he has, he became a fountain of ideas and ardent advocate of reform in order to stem the tide of failure of Nigeria as a nation-state.

Chief Enahoro founded the Movement for National Reformation in 1992/93 with the sole aim of restructuring the country for more meaningful freedom and better management of resources. He has had to go into exile twice in 1962 and 1995 to avoid being wasted by political Lilliputians of those era. Undaunted by his travails, he went on to put together the Pro-National Conference Organization, PRONACO that held a Peoples National Conference in 2005 for the same purpose of a healthier structural Nigeria.

At 87, he is full of regrets for having not achieved his goals of a progressively productive Nigeria. Of course, he is not in anyway at fault. It is just that this generation of Nigerians failed to key in on his ideas. As an individual, he is a fulfilled man, a father and grandfather and achiever. But for his sagging energy as a result of old age, his desire for this country remain undying. For those waiting for his demise to acknowledge and eulogize him, he is already a phenomenon whose followers are brimming with his progressive ideas that are sure to outlive him.

Happy birthday Sir, the Adolor of Uromi and Mediba of Nigeria.

Sam Onimisi was the Secretary General of PRONACO, the group which produced the Peoples National Conference alternative Constitution for Nigeria in 2005.