By Comrade Ganiyu Abdullahi
Stanza 5 of the Nigerian National Anthem reads – “the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain.” Late Babatunde Jose (a former editor of the Daily Times), provided an insight into this topic in his article, titled – “The Independence Day Editorial”, published in the Daily Times on October 1st 1960, upon Nigeria’s attainment of independence. An extract of his article reads – “I am happy and I am sobbing. I remember Nigerians, who lived and died, during the fight for Nigeria’s independence. Men like Herbert Macaulay, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, Dr J. C. Vaughan, Chief Bode Thomas, Alhaji Adelabu Adegoke, Mallam Saad Zungur, and many others. They were not destined to see the Promised Land. And at this moment, I remember the Nigerian youths, who were imprisoned, for daring to attack British rule in Nigeria. Men like Anthony Enahoro, Osita Agwuna, Mokwugo Okoye, Mallam Raji Abdallah, A. Y. S. Tinubu, Fred Anyiam, Oged Macaulay, Ikenna Nzimiro and many members of the outlawed Zikist Movement. And I remember youths like R. A. Fani-Kayode, N. A. B. Kotoye, Fred McEwen; all of whom voluntarily trooped to the Lagos Prison in protest against the official celebration of the Queen of England’s coronation in Nigeria.” And I remember Nnamdi Azikiwe, when in the bitter struggle for independence, he once threatened Sir Hugh Foot (Chief Secretary to the British Government in Nigeria), that – “THE TREE OF LIBERTY, SHALL BE WATERED BY THE BLOOD OF TYRANTS.” And Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when he threatened Britain that – “WE SHALL PROCLAIM SELF-GOVERNMENT AND PROCEED TO ASSERT IT.”
Whilst on his sick bed, late Herbert Macaulay (“Nigeria’s Father of Nationalism”), incisively said – “WHEN THE NEW NIGERIA COMES, TELL THEM THAT FOR THEIR TOMORROW, WE GAVE OUR TODAY.” He further added – “as my mustache and bow-tie are parallel and inseparable, so shall the unity between the North and South of Nigeria be indestructible.” He died on 7th of May 1946, few days after he made this heroic statement.
In his inaugural address as Nigeria’s Governor-General, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe says – “during our protracted battles for independence, some of our heroes and heroines fell by the wayside; some were incarcerated; some lost their jobs; some were victimised and made to suffer indignity. Therefore, we must jealously guard our freedom, with our lives, if need be.”
Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Hon. Minister for Transport and Aviation (1961-1964); and the only surviving Minister of the First Republic, says – “it is not correct to say that Nigeria was granted independence by the British on a platter of gold. We fought for our independence and won. The battle might not have been as bloody and intensive as that of Rhodesia (now, Zimbabwe), or Algeria, or Kenya, but we equally shed blood. Many youths and trade union leaders suffered unjust imprisonment, banishment and indignities.”
On October 27th 1948, Osita Agwuna delivered a lecture, titled – “A Call For Revolution” at Tom Jones Hall, Lagos. Few days later, Osita, Habibu Raji Abdallah, Ralph Aniebode, Oged Macaulay, Fred Anyiam, Francis Jibuno, Ikenna Nzimiro, Bob Ogbuagu, Okei Achamba, S. O. Achara, Ogoegbunam Dafe and Tony Enahoro, who chaired the lecture, and others were arraigned on charges of uttering and publishing seditious words and materials. Soon after their apprehension, the lecture was bravely repeated with a mass rally at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos on November 7th 1948. As a result, more youths were arrested and jailed. Upon their arrest, all the freedom fighters collectively decided that none of them must plead for leniency in the court, thus affirming that neither imprisonment nor death could deter them from carrying on with the struggle, until freedom was won for Nigeria. Smart Obike Ebbi (“Marshall Kebby”) was the first to be jailed at the Broad Street Prison, Lagos (earlier known as the “Queen’s Prison”, built in 1872). The prison ground is now restructured and renamed “Freedom Park.” Obike was charged for publishing two articles on 1st and 6th of November 1948, captioned – “Age of Positive Action” and “A Call For Action.” He was eventually sentenced on January 10th 1949, to one year imprisonment on the two counts.
When Osita appeared before the court on January 12th 1949, he made the following heroic statement – “your Britannic honour, it will be improper and wild justice for you to pass sentence on me. You have in a previous case against me, said that you are not a representative of the Nigerian Government, but an agent of the English Crown. I am aware however, that the Nigerian Government is responsible for your salary. I have been charged for having committed sedition against the U.K. Government, which has no authority over me, and which I do not recognise as my government. So, I am at a loss, to know whether you represent the British or the Nigerian Government? Therefore, to say that I have been found guilty is ridiculous; and so, I make no plea before you. I suggest you defer sentence, because if you do not, you will not escape the wrath of the youths of Nigeria, which is sure to come. I am not prophesying. But what I have said is sure to come.”
When Fred Anyiam appeared before the court, he boldly confronted the judge, saying, “When we were fighting side by side with you against Hitler in the jungles of Burma, you kept telling us to ‘fight for world freedom.’ Now that I am fighting for the freedom of my own country, you term it sedition. Whether you send me to prison or order me to be hanged, cannot stop the march of Nigerian youths for freedom. If anybody will regret, it is you who have soiled your fingers with the blood of innocent youths and God will pronounce His own sentence on you.”
Comrade Ganiyu Abdullahi can be reached through [email protected]
