PINPOINT: Beyond S.L. Akintola memorial lecture and colloquium by Adewuyi ADEGBITE
Adegbite’s article wants among others today’s wielders of powers and the society at large to do more to the memory of the late Premier of the defunct Western region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, GCON, particularly in the revamping of his Ogbomoso residence, where his remains are interred, in recognition of his immense contributions to the evolution of Southwest and Nigeria.
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Sir Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was one of the nationalists who fought for Nigeria’s independence. He was a journalist, lawyer and politician. As a journalist, he worked with the Daily Service founded be Ernest Ikoli and the newspaper was at the forefront of anti -colonialism campaign in the early 40s. He was a UK trained lawyer. Politically, he was one the founders of the Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He rose to become the deputy leader of the party which was reputed to be the most organized party in Africa South of Sahara. He was a minister in the First Republic, a deputy premier and premier. Akintola would be remembered for his lofty contributions to the development of Western region and Nigeria as a whole. As a matter of fact, he was the one said to have first raised the motion for independence of Nigeria, which is however credited to the political avatar, Tony Enahoro. He was reputed for laying the foundation of the Great Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, building the first skyscraper in Africa, Cocoa House, most importantly, for his nationalistic approach to achieving unity in Nigeria as against the narrow and regional approach by his party. His handshake across the Niger, an euphemism for his belief that Nigeria can be great if all geo-political zones work together led to bickering between him and his party, which snowballed into intractable imbroglio in the party. The events of the time and how the crisis triggered unrest in the Western region, political instability, trial of late Awolowo and his disciples for treasonable felony, their sentencing to long term in prison and how it eventually contributed to the first coup in Nigeria have been well documented and I don’t need to belabor myself in this short piece. However, it is suffice to add that Akintola did not outlive the crisis, he was murdered in cold blood during the first coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogu on January 15, 1966.
He was reputed to be an orator and polyglot and proud puller. He dazzled his audience with his mastery of Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani and other local Nigerian dialects having been born and bred in Northern Nigeria. Opinions differ on his place in history. Some saw him as a villain and some viewed him as hero depending on where one stands in the historic “Akintola and Awolowo War.” As a result of the domination of the levers of power by the Awolowo group after his demise, it was late before due recognition was accorded him. Unlike Awolowo who was virtually idolized by his followers especially from non “Yoruba” areas like Egba, Ijebu, Ondo, Ekiti, Akintola’s disciples were too silent about his achievements and did little to immortalize him. May be if he had lived beyond 1966, the case might have been different. Akintola was also honored by being made Areona Kakanfo by Alaafin of Oyo few years to his demise. Akintola came from Olugbon lineage in Yoruba land, a lineage reputed for bravery and war like spirit – with a background where war was taken as an occupation. “Ija a ja i weyin lo mu Ijeni wu mi, ogun ojojumo lo mu Ile Igbon su mi lo, omo onijeni obe, omo arogun bora bi aso”. No wonder, he lived a life of heroism and died heroically.
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Until recently, he was only immortalized through streets named after him in Lagos, Ibadan and lately Abuja. Oyo state government also named her university after the late colossus. There is no doubt the few memorialization gesture were too small for the novel contributions of Akintola to nation building in Nigeria. But the trajectory of his life, politics and death could be contributory factors for this glaring injustice to his memories.
Having said the above, it is heartwarming that a foundation was established for his memorialization. This is the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Memorial Foundation and this has been responsible for the yearly lectures in his memory on every January 15, to commemorate his death; this discusses issues affecting Nigeria. This year lecture and colloquium is being held at the Great Hall, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso on January 16, 2025. The lecture would be delivered by the governor of Osun state, Ademola Adeleke, where eminent personalities including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are expected. While I support the efforts of the organizers of this yeair colloquium, what I detest is the changing of venue for the occasion. For many years past, the venue of his remembrance used to be at his sprawling residence at Oke-Ado Akintola in Ogbomoso. The reason why this is so is a conjecture. However, I guess the appalling and unfortunate condition of the residence is a factor. The residence today could not be shown to anyone as a home country of a former premier of Western region, which today, comprised today Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos, Delta and Edo states. An annex of the residence is now a dumping ground – at the front side. Aside being converted to a dumping ground, there is a section where disused vehicles are displayed for sale. The roof of the house has been partially blown off and leaks during rainfall where water enters the living rooms. In short, the residence is an eyesore. Few years ago, the residence was handed over to LAUTECH by the family as part of their contributions to the citadel named after their father. Since then, LAUTECH has done nothing with the house. The appalling condition of the residence could not be laid solely at the feet of his children but on an ungrateful society which Akintola served and laid down his life for. These include Ogbomoso, Oyo state, South West region and Nigeria as a whole. I have had an opportunity to discuss with the chairman, Ogbomoso North local government, George Ogunlade, on this eyesore but being in government but not in power, there is little he could do. Oyo state government is embroiled in many controversies and I doubt if it ever cares to remember that that residence is one of the tripods where PDP stood when the whole South west turned its back on the party on whose back the incumbent governor rode to power. I doubt if Engineer Seyi Makinde ever entered the residence in the course of his political career. I have no doubt that if the residence is owned by an Ibadan man of Akintola status and calibre, Ibadan governors including the incumbent would not be looking the other way because of their Ibadan first agenda. I am happy, all governors in the South west are expected on this occasion. I implore them to ask to be taken to the residence and they would feel sorry for what has become the residence of one of their most eminent predecessors. They would learn one or two lessons about the turn of events of the residence. Chinua Achebe in Things Fall Apart novel published in the late 50s said that “he who pays respect to great men pays respect to their own greatness”. This is my message for our visiting governors including Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Adegbite can be reached via ayekooto05@gmail.com
