Remembering Tafawa ‘The Good’ Balewa
At this point in time when the history of Nigeria is repeating itself or rather Nigerians are repeating history, it is good for one to always remember, some of the finest leaders the country ever had especially as we are now in January, the month that is historically fatally as it was in it, this month late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, popularly known as ‘Balewa the Good’ was assassinated.
There is no right time when Nigeria needs the likes of Tafawa Balewa than today.
Today, Nigeria is lacking statesmen, charismatic leaders who command global respect. Tafawa Balewa was a statesman who enjoyed respect and by extension respect for the Country. His pioneering efforts in forming the OAU, his liberation efforts in South Africa against apartheid, and the role he played in ending war in Congo, his stands on many international issues like Sahara Nuclear test and the outstanding role he played in Commonwealth were all the testimony of a statesman. That was why when Ifeajuna and co assassinated him, African leaders poured their condolences: “General Soglo of Dahomey closed the Border and declared a whole week’s honouring, flags flew at half mast in Kenya, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire. Dr Hasting S. Banda of Malawi said that with the death of the man who had been both a strong believer in the commonwealth and a link between the French- and Englishspeaking states, the fate of the OAU hung in the balance, Dr Milton Obote of Uganda said that the death of one of the finest African leaders of this century and statesman of world standing had shocked the world, and was a great calamity to the successful projection of the image of the independent African states in mourning his death, we must bear in our hearts the inhuman lack of appreciation of all the late Prime Minister did and stood for, the shocking manner in which he died will by itself not solve, but may further complicate the problems of Nigeria. President Ahidjo of Cameroun deplored the deaths of Sir Abubakar and both premiers adding that assassinating leaders was not the way to build Africa. President Hamani Diori in Niger also closed his border, spoke of dastardly assassinations, and ordered three days mourning for Abubakar, president Nyerere of Tanzania told how Abubakar a man of great integrity and courage, knew how to disagree without bitterness or intrigue and he hoped that the new leaders would overcome those persistent problems of organization and attitude which made Sir Abubakar an innocent victim. Emperor Haile Selassie, President Tubman and President Grunitzky of Togo also spoke with audible sincerity”
Late Sir Abubakar governed Nigeria at the trouble moment. That was the period when unhealthy regional rivalry and regionalism were the order of the day. During those dark days, there were crises threatening the newly independent NigeriaCensus crisis, Federal Elections crisis and Action Group crisis were perpetrated by the politicians of the first republic till the army struck in the wee hours of 15th January,1966. And it was this singular mistake that caused all the successive crises of Nigerian state.
Our leaders are not good students of history, yet they have lots to learn from those tragic events. Politics of bitterness will not do anyone good, so the better they emulate the sincerity and humility of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the better for them and the country.
Bishir Dauda, Katsina, <unshakablecomrade@yahoo.com>