Awo, a Nehemiah of our time - Rt Rev Oladunjoye

By Olu Osunde - 16.03.2008

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was yesterday likened to the biblical Nehemiah of our time.

Making the observation during the 21st post humous service in honour of the sage, held at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, was the Rt. Rev J.A. Oladunjoye, the Bishop of Owo Diocese.

The clergyman, who made allusion to the credible leadership of the biblical king, said that the legacies left by Chief Awolowo and the development standard he set for the prospective leaders of Nigeria have remained challenging as no one, according to him, has been able to meet it.

He said, “Awo ruled in fear of God and used all his life to serve humanity.”

He observed that “many today would not have made it to the top if not for the free education introduced by the sage.”

He added that most of the development initiatives being propagated today had their foundation in the foresight and carefully thought out plans of the sage.

He blamed the present crop of followership for aiding corruption ,saying that “if Chief Awolowo were alive now, he would probably have been more bitter about the degenerating socio-economic situation.” He said, “the country now is worse than Awo left it,” as, according to him, injustice daily rears its head while EFCC under Ribadu was stretched beyond limit.”

He, while commending the work done so far by the EFCC under Ribadu, warned those he referred to as “looters who come to Mama HID Awolowo for blessings to desist from doing so” as according to him, “anyone of them who deceive Mama would have his or her blessings turned to curse.”

Also speaking in an exclusive interview, Chief Lateef Kayode Jakande, who expressed satisfaction with the attendance, said “ Chief Awolowo was a blessing to Nigeria.”

He, while answering question on the perceived recent underground schemings for Yoruba leadership, said that “only God reserves the right to choose a leader,” adding that the Yorubas know their leaders and that whoever was ascribing the position to himself was doing so on his own volition and could, therefore continue.

While fielding questions from journalists around, Chief Olu Falae, former Minister of Finance under former President Ibrahim Babangida explained that “the better way Yar’Adua can get credibility for his administration was through a credible election. According to him, getting a legitimacy through a re-election will serve the administration better.

The highlight of the ceremony which ended in the church with a thanks-offering by the associates of the sage present was a treat to a lunch at the family home of the sage.

Among the dignitaries present were: Senator Femi Okurounmu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olanihun Ajayi, Prof. Olu Akinyanju, Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka, former Deputy Governor Ogun State, Hon. (Chief) Korede Duyile, Hon (Chief) Abioye Oyetunji, Mrs. Folake Phillips, Senator (Dr.) Tunji Adeleke, State Chairman, DPA Ondo, Chief F.A. Fadebi, Professor A.B.O.O. Oyediran, Mrs. S.A. Banjo, Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin, among others.

Prof. Olu Akinyanju read the first lesson from Eccl. 4:1-15 while the second lesson was read by Chief Olu Falae from Acts 6:8-15.