In life, it is often chance encounters and seemingly innocous events that help to reorder our perspective on serious issues. When the phrase “ the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain' is put out there, ones mind inevitably flashes to the Azikiwes, Awolowos, Abubakars, Dick Tigers et al of this world. For me, a chance encounter in September this year with a white lady in Zurich, Switzerland has helped reorder my analysis of personalities and their contribution to the Nigerian story. My wife had dragged me (as usual) to an antique sale. In the hall, a white lady, perhaps in her seventies walked up to us and politely asked where we were from and we proudly answered NIGERIA. The next thing we heard from her were – 'kaaro o! Ekabo , shay Nigeria lo ngbe abi London ni (Yoruba for good morning, welcome, do you live in Nigeria or London).
We laughed in surprise and told her we did not speak Yoruba. Obviously we were curious to find out what the link was. She told us she had lived and worked in Nigeria in the seventies and eighties with Tai Solarin. She was one of the teachers at Mayflower School, Ikenne. We chatted about this and that and she regaled us on the good times she had in Nigeria and how committed Tai Solarin and his wife were to bettering humanity through education. She had a very good general impression of Nigerians and gave many instances of incredible acts of kindness, generosity and trustworthiness she had experienced. We drew attention when we burst out laughing at her mimicked recollection of the incredulous expressions and gesticulations of the market women in Ikene when she spoke Yoruba to them. She regretted her inability to keep up with Nigerian news for the past couple of years, apparently because the Nigerian newspapers disappeared from the embassy website following an upgrade! We bought a collection of Nigerian stamps of the fifties and sixties from her. The ones where the price indication will be 2s 6d ie 2 shillings and 6 pence - called '2 and 6' in those days!
I first came into close encounter with products of Mayflower Secondary School when a record six of them were admitted to do A levels in Kings College Lagos in 1978. Not only did they all come with distinctions in West African School Cerificate, they all passed the subsequent Higher School Certificate exams in flying colours. Before I lost touch with Ogayemi and co I knew they had all become medical doctors or engineers. These were not children of privilege but through the instrumentality of the single minded vision and humanity of Tai Solarin who gave them a chance in life, they have become useful not only to themselves but to society. Sadly though in most cases that society is in foreign lands as many of them are working abroad. That aspect could not have been Tai's dream but a result of the fact that whilst people like Tai Solarin were building, others were destroying. Happily though, the few Mayflower boys I know are a tiny fraction of the multitude that have passed through that school and become productive citizens in our society. If we had a few more Tai Solarins, Nigeria would have definitely been better for it. The encounter really got me thinking about how an unsung hero can have such an enduring positive impact on society and how we sometimes dont really appreciate the importance and extent of their contributions to nation building.
Tai Solarin was an atheist and wore only khaki clothes. We have many religious leaders in Nigeria. If I examine their lifestyles and societal impact, it will be ironic but I will not be wrong in concluding that Tai lived like one subjected to God's guidance as evidenced by his life of simplicity and love for fellow human beings. I do not know what motivates our religious and political leaders, but it is obvious to me that it is Tai whose life reflects the genuine fear of God. Men like Tai Solarin are ultimately the peoples heroes because at the end of the day humanity is the religion they practice and their impact is more wholesome and beneficial for humanity as a whole as opposed to the crass exploitation of fellow human beings by religious and political leaders (assuming there is a seperation). Give me a Tai Solarin anyday!
So what concerns Buhari with Tai Solarin? Just reflecting on Nigeria and how we have come to this sorry state of self inflicted national despair leaves one emotionally drained. This country is drifting dangerously towards anarchy or dancing on the brink as per John Campbell. We need a figure that can take the lead in pulling us back. Rather than we Nigerians to think seriously about rescuing our future in our leadership preferences, we are being goaded like sheep to ignore character and rather focus on religion or tribe. Corruption is at the root of the Nigerian failed state conundrum. The simple truth is that nothing good can happen to Nigeria if the corruption issue is not tamed! Buhari is not the most honest or the only honest man in Nigeria. But out of all the presidential aspirants he is the only one with the pedigree, credentials, strength of character and personal example which suggests he can wage a meaningful war against corruption. I am not naïve to think that corruption will disappear with a Buhari presidency or that there will be no corrupt people in a Buhari government. The point is that a simple application of common sense suggests that a man who most corrupt or corruptible people are already certain will not join them but fight them to stem the rot will be beneficial to the anti corruption war. A war we must all join if this country is to survive meaningfully. The head of any establishment is important not only for managerial reasons but also because his own personal style acts as a cue for those he heads. It is unlikely that a man who has been Petroleum Minister, State Governor and Head of State and evidently not stolen will develop itchy fingers at 70+.
Why should I bother about his personal religion? I will not! And for the same considerations, the christian and muslim parents who sent their children to Mayflower School did not bother that the principal and proprietor was an atheist! In the type of country we must have, everybody must be free to practice any religion they choose or were born into or none at all. Religion should be personal and no business of the next man or government. The propaganda of Buhari as a religious fanatic is nonsensical but unfortunately in a country like ours polarised by poverty, lack of education and hopelessness, the charge is not dismissed with the contemptuous hiss it deserves. Buhari as head of state banned government subsidy for Muslim Hajj! When he arrested the Emir of Kano and ordered the crating of Umaru Dikko back to Nigeria to answer for monumental corruption, was he persecuting christians? As GOC he led the successful rout of the Maitatsine sect (precursor to Boko Haram) fanatic indeed! Twisting words or ascribing fictitious statements to Buhari must not be allowed to go unanswered this time. Take it from me, the people feeding this propaganda are not afraid of Buhari the devout Muslim, they are afraid of Buhari of the 'War against Indiscipline and Corruption' fame! It is the smokescreen they hope to obscure our vision of him and befuddle our judgment. It must not work.
Others say he is too old! Too old for what? Is he looking for a place to revamp our Super Eagles? The question should be whether he is healthy enough to withstand the rigours of presidential duties. How has he kept himself? With all the litres of alcohol my body has endured, will I not be foolish to simply assume that because I am 20 years younger my health is in better shape than his? Mandela became President of South Africa at 74, that country's people were smart enough to know that Mandela's age was not the issue, what was of paramount importance was that his country needed him to perform a national duty. Come of the hour, commeth the man!
Let me close with the lesson of the departure of the Swiss lady from Nigeria. She was attacked by armed robbers on the road in Lagos. She couldnt get over the trauma of a gun being poked at her head and left Nigeria. Only God knows why she was not killed but when the robbers asked her where she worked and she mentioned Tai Solarin's name, it had an effect! That effect is perhaps why she is alive today. Evidently the robbers know those responsible for their plight and the endemic corruption that breeds criminality. What if she had worked for A or B or Z or ...I am not good at decoding so I dont know! All I know is that the robbers did not bother to ask her religion or tribe or that of my Uncle Tai for that matter!
Edo Ukpong
Legal Practitioner
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