The 156 book titled Nigeria and the Dilemma of Leadership – An X-Ray of Chief Tony Enahoro’s Perspective is a compendium on a sustained life of committed, progressive, selfless and forthright leadership by renowned Elder Statesman, Revered Social Thinker, Political Activist, Distinguished Parliamentarian and Journalist, Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro who died at the age of 87.
In a country where integrity, strength of character and commitment to the people’s wish and aspiration are in short supply, the book attempts to celebrate Enahoro who moved the historic motion for independence for Nigeria in 1956, for remaining steadfast in spite of the vicissitudes of life until he finally kicked the bucket on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
Where others have opted to mortgage their voices for a mess of pottage, the late elder statesman neither departed from his exalted vanguard role, effrontery to constantly steer the pathway nor the resolve to regularly speak to authority.
In a sense, Enahoro, according to the narration in the book, not only became the conscience of the nation but its philosopher king. His thoughts and vision are steeped in praxis.
From his involvement in the nationalist movement as a budding student in King’s College, Lagos to the harrowing struggles of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) under the late Military Dictator, General Sani Abacha and the Pro-National Conference Organisations (PRONACO), Enahoro even at 87 still evoked life.
That he got enthralled in the political web for the crystalisation of the Mid-West was understandable. As a decoy by the political foes to undermine the perceived political empire of frontline politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, it would have been idealistic to expect it to readily elicit the blessing of Enahoro, considered one of the sage’s most loyal disciples and strategists.
Those from the old Mid-west still recall with relish how the state through the effort of the likes of Enahoro, was created out of popular plebiscite, which witnessed the historic vote of the people in a freely conducted referendum.
The defunct Mid-West now carved into Edo and Delta states remained the only state created out of the free will of the people in our nation’s history. Therefore we must always say to ourselves that here is a land of freedom. Those who wish to walk our history on its head must be told that ours indeed is a land of freedom.
Writing a book on Enahoro is not a particularly easy assignment because it is like writing on the political evolution of Nigeria. A single book can hardly suffice to discuss Enahoro’s `historic involvement in the polity just like talking about Nigeria.
This work will be measured more a by call for greater resources to improve on this historic work on a distinguished elder statesman like Chief Enahoro.
While recommending the book to everyone that thirst for information on the political evolution of Nigeria, we must be mindful that this work represents just an attempt to capture the epochal life of Enahoro. It should therefore not be regarded as the book.
Chief Dr. Anthony Eromosele Enahoro has never failed to express his disappointment with the kind of leaders in the corridors of power in Nigeria.
In 1953 he moved the motion for Nigeria's independence from the colonial administration and before he died he was still not satisfied with the leadership of the nation.
This book contains the views of the elder statesman on leadership and the what his contemporaries thought about him. The reader friendly publication put together with his published speeches on national issues is not anyway a biography.
It is published with the interest of all Nigerians in mind. This book comes from the pen of a journalist, Eubaldus Enahoro who is Assistant Editor with the Nigerian Observer in Benin City. A financial Secretary (2001-2003) and Auditor (2006-2009) of the Nigeria Union of Journa
In a country where integrity, strength of character and commitment to the people’s wish and aspiration are in short supply, the book attempts to celebrate Enahoro who moved the historic motion for independence for Nigeria in 1956, for remaining steadfast in spite of the vicissitudes of life until he finally kicked the bucket on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
Where others have opted to mortgage their voices for a mess of pottage, the late elder statesman neither departed from his exalted vanguard role, effrontery to constantly steer the pathway nor the resolve to regularly speak to authority.
In a sense, Enahoro, according to the narration in the book, not only became the conscience of the nation but its philosopher king. His thoughts and vision are steeped in praxis.
From his involvement in the nationalist movement as a budding student in King’s College, Lagos to the harrowing struggles of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) under the late Military Dictator, General Sani Abacha and the Pro-National Conference Organisations (PRONACO), Enahoro even at 87 still evoked life.
That he got enthralled in the political web for the crystalisation of the Mid-West was understandable. As a decoy by the political foes to undermine the perceived political empire of frontline politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, it would have been idealistic to expect it to readily elicit the blessing of Enahoro, considered one of the sage’s most loyal disciples and strategists.
Those from the old Mid-west still recall with relish how the state through the effort of the likes of Enahoro, was created out of popular plebiscite, which witnessed the historic vote of the people in a freely conducted referendum.
The defunct Mid-West now carved into Edo and Delta states remained the only state created out of the free will of the people in our nation’s history. Therefore we must always say to ourselves that here is a land of freedom. Those who wish to walk our history on its head must be told that ours indeed is a land of freedom.
Writing a book on Enahoro is not a particularly easy assignment because it is like writing on the political evolution of Nigeria. A single book can hardly suffice to discuss Enahoro’s `historic involvement in the polity just like talking about Nigeria.
This work will be measured more a by call for greater resources to improve on this historic work on a distinguished elder statesman like Chief Enahoro.
While recommending the book to everyone that thirst for information on the political evolution of Nigeria, we must be mindful that this work represents just an attempt to capture the epochal life of Enahoro. It should therefore not be regarded as the book.
Chief Dr. Anthony Eromosele Enahoro has never failed to express his disappointment with the kind of leaders in the corridors of power in Nigeria.
In 1953 he moved the motion for Nigeria's independence from the colonial administration and before he died he was still not satisfied with the leadership of the nation.
This book contains the views of the elder statesman on leadership and the what his contemporaries thought about him. The reader friendly publication put together with his published speeches on national issues is not anyway a biography.
It is published with the interest of all Nigerians in mind. This book comes from the pen of a journalist, Eubaldus Enahoro who is Assistant Editor with the Nigerian Observer in Benin City. A financial Secretary (2001-2003) and Auditor (2006-2009) of the Nigeria Union of Journa
