In 1781, George Washington led the American troops to victory by forcing the surrender of Gen. Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. Not long after this triumph, an officer of the Revolutionary Army, one Col. Nicholas whose first name is not recorded, wrote his commander-in-chief about the war, complaining that the 13 colonies just consolidated by successful revolution could never become a nation under Republican form of government with Washington at the head.
Immediately, upon receipt of the letter at his headquarters in Newburg, George Washington called his secretary, Jonathan Trumball, and dictated this reply on May 22, 1782 thus:
“Sir, with a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the sentiments you have submitted for my perusal. Be assured sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed; and I must view this with abhorrence and reprehend with severity — for the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary.
“I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which, to me, seems big with the greatest mischief that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. At the same time, in justice to my own feeling, I must add that no man processes a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to the army than I do; and as far as my power and influence in a constitution may extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect at, should there be any occasion.
“Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or anyone else, a sentiment of the like nature.
“With esteem I am sir, G. Washington.”
No one has to like Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s political ideology to appreciate his unimpeachable contribution to the socio-political development of our nation. It simply means he did not act as if he was above it all, the way he was described by some Nigerians, including the icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe in his recent memoir. But before writing off Awo and the entire Yoruba, Nigerians must first remember that there were a number of extremely capable 20th century pro-reform leaders in our midst, and these include (all of blessed memory): Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Herbert McCauley, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Pa Anthony Enahoro and, of course, Awolowo. They were great people.
We must also remember that it was these leaders who, after incredible sacrifice, played the indispensable and primary role in defeating colonialism and obtaining the Independence from the British. Their heroic dreams and power of resilience are legendary; and rather than underestimating any of these past leaders, they deserve our respect, even in the grave.
Charles de Gaulle once said, “France was never her true self until she was engaged in a great enterprise.” This is true of Nigeria as well. Great causes — which will not, otherwise, be achieved — push us to heights as a nation and as individuals. Without a great cause to galvanise Nigeria, however, our political freedom and the very unity of our nation will continue to be at risk as we struggle to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
That is why many of us believe that if Nigeria is to regain her position as a great African nation, what we urgently need now is a mission devoid of political tribalism and religious fanaticism.
For example, for more than 30 years, our country fought one of the longest political struggles in human history. And with no misunderstanding, the evil of dictatorship touched not only one region in Nigeria, but the entire country; and made most of our land hostage to a vast conflict of political ideas and economic systems. Nevertheless, today, we have achieved a goal we would not have dreamed possible 15 years ago — democracy; and not the Green Beret leadership.
In other words, we are now living in a new nation, a nation we all helped to create. Therefore, with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal.
Let us renew our determination, our courage and our strength. And let us renew our faith and hope by lifting our sights above our confusion and bitterness, particularly, over a war that many people thought was wrong, but was fought for the sake of safeguarding our national unity.
After all, the gamble for the liberation of Igboland was played for enormously high stake and against great odds. The players may have failed, but let it not be said that they failed because Chief Obafemi Awolowo did not provide for them!
•Adeyeye is proprietor, Crown Heights College, Ibadan, Oyo State
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