As
Ambassador (Dr.) Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu gracefully glides
into the platinum age of 70 years, it is tempting to overlook the fact that she
is a doughty survivor and formidable combatant.
Even if the scars are not
visible, she has survived the loss of two brothers Barrister Olusegun Awolowo (who
graduated from University of Cambridge) in 1963and Chief Oluwole Awolowo as well
as a sister, Mrs. Ayodele Soyode (mother of Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo - the wife of
Vice-President of Nigeria, Professor YemiOsinbajo SAN). All these in addition to
the demise of both parents – the sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1987 and his
jewel Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D. Awolowo in 2015.
Rather
than indulge in suffocating self-pity, Olatokunbo has opted to be a nimble
combatant in the battle to rescue others by caring for the underprivileged; the
aged; the homeless and most especially those who would otherwise be denied
access to medical facilities (through the aegis of Obafemi Awolowo Foundation/Dideolu
Hospital). It is self-evident that it is her caring disposition that influenced
her choice of a career in medicine which was interrupted by her sojourn into
diplomacy as our beloved nation’s Ambassador at The Hague,in Netherlands,from
2000 to 2003.
I
commend her warmly for her granite steadfastness and exceptional faithfulness
which she has consistently demonstrated in sustaining the inimitable legacy of
selfless public service and indomitable spirit of her illustrious parents.
Having regard to her tenacity of purpose, fierce determination and steely
persistence, she is surely already on the march to greatness in her own right
in addition to her devotion to the sustenance and reinforcement of the legend
and legacy of her father and mother.
In
this endeavour, she has the benefit of the support of her only surviving
sibling – Rev. (Mrs.) TolaOyediran. Tokunbo deserves kudos for the resilience
she has demonstrated in coping with the travails of the Awolowo family together
with the triumphs. She is manifestly endowed with robust shock absorbers. At a
very tender age, she went through the trauma of witnessing her beloved father
in the dock for “treasonable felony”. The tragedy was further compounded by the
betrayal and treachery of former allies particularly the son of a long standing
family friend (Dr. LadipoMaja) who turned out to be the “prosecution witness”.
In
politics, she has played her cards close to her chest, ever ready to welcome
whoever wants to pay homage to the late sage and supplicate the blessings of
the Awolowo family. Indeed, she has restrained herself through reticence and
circumspection from venturing into the vortex of controversy in the affairs of
our nation. Not for her the temptation to throw her hat into the ring as a
potential first female President or Vice-President of Nigeria.
She
is of course entitled to conclude that the family has already oversacrificed
and overinvested in the pursuit of a vision which has been thoroughly savaged,
bastardised, frustrated and compromised.
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| ODION |
At
the age of 70, she is welcome to reflect on how her father gravitated from being
the humble, assiduous and committed secretary of “EgbeOmoOduduwa” (a Yoruba
Cultural Organisation) with its secretariat at 51, Messina Avenue, West
Hampstead, London (the home of Dr. Oni Akerele who was the President) to
becoming the leader of the same group which had transformed from being a
cultural organisation into the Action Group, as a fully-fledged political party
in Nigeria. He did it by a combination of zeal, dedication, doggedness and
force of personality.
Meetings
at Dr. Akerele’s residence would sometimes drag on till late at night. However,
first thing the following morning, Awolowo would have distributed flawless
minutes of the proceedings of the previous evening to the astonishment of other
members.
That
in itself is a story for another day. It is sufficient to record that our
celebrant’s father displayed uncommon leadership as well as sagacity combined
with vision and discipline. The followership adored him. A special chapter
would have to be devoted to how “Awo”charmed the post Victorian-age elite of
Lagos into rewarding him with unprecedented respect and deference. They adored
“Awo” their former protégé who was now their charismatic leader with his
signature fez “Awo” cap and round rim pebble glasses.
In
physical stature, both Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe (Premier of the Eastern Region) and Sir
Ahmadu Bello, (The Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of the Northern Region)
towered above Chief Obafemi Awolowo. However, in the political arena and
strategic thinking he was more than their equal match.
My
late father Chief J.K. Randle was a friend of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as well as
his rivals – Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe and AlhajiAhmadu Bello. I am obliged to reveal
the other side of “Awo” which is rarely ever mentioned – he had a terrific
sense of humour, gaiety and great sense of funwhich were only on display when
he was amongst a very close circle of friends. It was there for all to see on
the few occasions when he visited the Lagos Island Club or Lagos Race Club where
my father was the Chairman of both premier clubs. Somewhere in the archives of
the clubs are iconic photographs of Chief Obafemi Awolowo looking very relaxed,
jovial and savouring the company of friends and foes alike.
Regardless,
the dominant trait and enduring legacy were his stern mien, seriousness of purpose
and dedication to the pursuit of excellence as well as the upliftment of
Nigeria. He made no excuses for being a thoroughbred Yoruba first and foremost
but it did not preclude him from his duty to Nigeria and Africa. He was ever
ready to work from the crack of dawn till late into the night. The free
education policy which was launched in Western Nigeria in 1955 remains his most
enduring legacy. Knowledge became the key to freedom and liberty for the many
rather than the few – in the pursuit of his catchy slogan: “Life More Abundant.”
He
was never awed by intellectuals and scholars. On the contrary, he cultivated
them. According to the World Bank report of 1963, under the leadership of Chief
Obafemi Awolowo, the Western Region of Nigeria was destined to surpass
Singapore; South Korea; Indonesia and Hong Kong in economic and human capital development.
The prediction is yet to manifest into reality.
Time
and space will not permit us to dwell on the irony of history when the feud
between Chief Awolowo and his deputy Chief S. L. Akintola erupted at Mapo Hall
in Ibadan in 1962 and changed the course of history as well as the destiny of
Nigeria.
Thankfully,
the children of Chief S. O. Adebo (Head of Service, Western Region) are here to
confirm that Chief Awolowo was fortunate to enjoy the support and loyalty of
dedicated and incorruptible civil servants. Elder Statesman Chief Folarin
Coker, former civil servant in the Western Region and Lagos State, is still
with us at the age of 95 years. He is ever ready to remind us that there was a
moral dimension to Chief Awolowo’s superlative performance. Mrs. Apinke Coker
was Awo’spersonal secretary but when she accompanied him on his trip to London
to negotiate Nigeria’s Independence, Chief Awolowo as Premier of the Western
Region personally paid the fare of Chief Coker so that he could accompany his
wife.
The
celebrant was a teenager then. Here she is, fifty-five years later – still
charming, vibrant, radiant and determined to keep the flag flying at full mast.
She
was previously the Co-Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, publishers
of “The Tribune” group of newspapers. The mantle of leadership as the sole
Chairman has fallen on her shoulders. At the time when the fortunes of the
newspapers were dwindling it was the then Chairman, Chief (Mrs.) H.I.D Awolowo,
the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty who engaged the services of my firm, J.K.
Randle Professional Services to provide consultancy services which we
successfully executed. The company is evidently thriving and remains in the
front rank of our nation’s media. At a time when the J.K. Randle family is
under threat, assault, invasion and siege by the government (and its demolition
squad which is on a rampage) we may have ignored the incisive observation of Chief
(Mrs.) Awolowo which she shared with me – no matter the complexion of the
government, you must replenish your wealth, your power and your prestige,
otherwise you would be in peril. I remain eternally grateful to her well-grounded
wisdom and profound knowledge. At over 90 years old, she was still mentally
alert and genuinely concerned about the future of Nigeria.
As
Olatokunbo steps into those mega-sized shoes of her parents, we have every
reason to believe that she would rise up to the challenge.Happy birthday.
Bashorun
J.K. Randle is a former President
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
(ICAN) and former Chairman of KPMG Nigeria and Africa Region.
He is currently the Chairman, J.K. Randle Professional Services. Email: jkrandleintuk@gmail.com
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