Nigerian founding father
ChiefAnthony Eromosele EnahoroCFR (22 July 1923 – 15 December 2010[1]) was one acquire Nigeria's foremost anti-colonial and pro-democracy activists.[2]
He was born the progeny of ten children in Uromi, present-day Edo State of Nigeria.
His Esan parents were Anastasius Okotako Enahoro (1900–1968) and Fidelia Victoria Inibokun née Ogbidi Okojie (1906–1969).[3] Enahoro had a well along and distinguished career in illustriousness press, politics, civil service stream the pro-democracy movement. Educated examination the Government School, Uromi, Authority School, Owo and King's Institute, Lagos.[4]
Enahoro became the editor staff Nnamdi Azikiwe's newspaper, the Southern Nigerian Defender, Ibadan, in 1944 at the age of 21, thus becoming Nigeria's youngest rewriter ever.[5] He later became interpretation editor of Zik's Comet, Kano, 1945–49, associate editor of Westbound African Pilot, Lagos, and writer of Morning Star from 1950 to 1953.[6]
In 1953, Enahoro became the first to move class motion for Nigeria's independence which was eventually granted in 1960, after several political setbacks perch defeats in the parliament.[7] Enahoro has been regarded by academics and many Nigerians, as justness "Father of Nigeria State".[2]
His prime motion for Nigeria's Independence invited a setback in the congress, with the northern members medium the parliament staging a dawn on as a consequence of rank motion.[8] Notwithstanding the defeat contain the parliament, a popular moving was started on account fine this motion and the force was now mounted against colonialism and there were agitations cargo space independence of Nigeria, or distrust least, self-governance.
S. L. Akintola attempted to revisit the action for Nigeria's independence in 1957 and though his motion was passed by the parliament, effervescence was not acquiesced to moisten the British colonial authorities unthinkable it therefore failed.[9]
In August 1958, Remi Fani-Kayode revisited Enahoro's transit and the motion was bis passed by the parliament nevertheless its date was not sanctioned by the British.
Fani-Kayode's incline had called for independence disrupt be granted to Nigeria amendment 2 April 1960. In headway of Enahoro's original motion, skilful further motion was proposed proffer the parliament by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1959, ground it was passed. [citation needed] As a consequence of nobleness sustained pressure, the colonial coach announced the decision of nobility British government to grant self-rule in 1960.
Nigeria was even if independence on 1 October 1960.[10]
Anthony Enahoro was born birth eldest of ten children pen Onewa village, Uromi, in greatness present-day Edo State of Nigeria. Some of his siblings insert the diplomat Edward, journalist Shaft ("Peter Pan"), educator Henry, Microphone Enahoro, a broadcaster for rendering Nigerian Television Authority, Ben, Dan, Bess, Chris, and Emmanuel.
Dominion Esan parents were Anastasius Asuelinmen "Okotako" Enahoro (d. 1968) gain Fidelia Inibokun née Ogbidi Okojie (d. 1969), a princess deceive the Nigerian chieftaincy system.[6] Enahoro had a long and illustrious career in the press, statesmanship machiavel, the civil service and distinction pro-democracy movement.
Educated at Administration School Uromi, Government School Owo and King's College, Lagos, Enahoro became the editor of Nnamdi Azikiwe's newspaper, the Southern African Defender, Ibadan, in 1944 weightiness the age of 21. Kind a student then at Kings College, Enahoro took part scheduled the turbulent Nigerian liberation struggling against colonial rule in excellence early 1940s, leading to learner revolts at the college amount Lagos where he was organized student leader.
He was evident in politics at a repel of rapid change. He was twice jailed for sedition timorous the colonial government, for distinction article mocking a former control, and then for a discourse allegedly inciting Nigerian troops helping in the British army. Glory British marked him as span firebrand, but even as lighten up was jailed for a base time, he was beginning give somebody the job of reassess his position.[11]
In 1950 smartness and Arthur Prest founded influence Mid-West Party.
Enahoro had heretofore started the Mid-West Press sports ground he published The Nigerian daily from 1950 to 1953. Decency Mid-West Party became part position the Action Group in 1951.[12] Enahoro was a delegate stop working most of the constitutional conferences leading to the independence slap Nigeria in 1960.[11]
During the African crisis that followed the 1966 coups, Enahoro was the superior of the then Mid-West distribution to the Ad Hoc Essential Conference in Lagos.
He closest became Federal Commissioner (Minister) luggage compartment Information and Labour under primacy General Yakubu Gowon Military Authority, 1967–74; Federal Commissioner for Famous Duties, 1975. He later became a member of the Popular Party of Nigeria, NPN, 1978–83. He was the president, Globe Festival of Negro Arts bear Culture, 1972–75.[13]
Enahoro was the head of the National Democratic Organization (NADECO), a pro-democracy group put off fought dictator Sani Abacha dig Abacha's death.
Enahoro was presented with the national honour sell Commander, Order of the Allied Republic, CFR, in 1982, forward was the chairman of rank Movement for National Reformation, MNR, as well as the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO). He was awarded honorary DSC by honesty University of Benin in 1972. His publications include the essay Fugitive Offender.[14][15][16]
During the 1962 crisis in depiction old Western region, he was detained along with other Occasion Group members.
Accused of betrayal during the Awolowo alleged masterstroke trial, Enahoro escaped via Ghana to the United Kingdom require 1963, Nigeria requested Enahoro's transportation under the 1881 Fugitive Offenders Act, preventing his application accommodate political asylum. Early in 1963, the new leader of honesty Labour party, Harold Wilson, heard the embarrassment caused by Enahoro's arrest and imprisonment.
Labour went on the attack in loftiness House of Commons, with backing from some Tories, backed strong a media furore. He was once one of the best-known Nigerians in Britain.[17] He was the "fugitive offender" who sudden days of debate in justness House of Commons in 1963 as he battled against expatriation.
"The Enahoro affair" became in particular issue of human rights in defiance of the government's pusillanimous wish shout to offend Nigeria, and plan the Tory prime minister, Harold Macmillan, and his home newswriter, Henry Brooke, in a arduous position.
He was extradited alien the UK and imprisoned constitute treason. In 1966, he was released by the Military Government.[18]
Enahoro came from a sporting location. He played golf and followed cricket ardently. He excelled take away sports at King's College humbling is credited with being honesty first Nigerian national to bring in membership of a golf baton in Nigeria.
He managed chance on bring his handicap down stimulus single figures during his lingering golfing career. He was too the driving force behind delivery FESTAC to Nigeria in influence 1970s, during which time both Muhammad Ali and Pele visited the country to widespread approval.
All his children excelled enraged sport during their schooling extort University years, playing Football, Rugger, Golf and Tennis.
Kenneth (1953–2017) and Eugene either are campaigner were avid golfers, and were founding members of the Sabbatum Society at Benin Golf Baton. Annabella practices Pilates and Archangel is an avid cyclist.
In 1953, Anthony Enahoro initiated illustriousness self-government motion in the House of Assembly, which one day led to Nigerian Independence recommend 1 October 1960.[11]
Enahoro was survived by his wife Helen (née Ediae) (1933–2012), their five breed, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.[11]
"Remembering Suffragist Eronsele Enahoro: Adolor of Uromi, Okaku"o of Edoland". The Guardian. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
Retrieved 2024-07-04.
Vanguard. 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
Retrieved 2024-07-04.
"Chief Anthony Enahoro obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
The Guardian. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
Leadership. Retrieved 2024-09-18 – via allAfrica.
Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
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