Awo, Best Leader to Ever Emerge – Nigerians
THE sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has been named by Nigerians as the greatest leader to ever emerge in the country. In a nationwide survey conducted by the Daar Communications, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM, Chief Awolowo was rated as the Nigerian Leader of All Time.
Awo, who all through his political career fought for the downtrodden with his progressive philosophy, was voted the best among the leaders in Nigeria as he scored 54 points in the poll anchored by four presenters with the organisation.
The votes were taken in the six geopolitical zones of the country. He was chosen based on his egalitarian principles and commitment to socialist ideals which led to his party’s four cardinal programmes of free education, free health services, rural development and provision of basic infrastructure to the people of the entire old Western Region.
Nigerians who voted Awo described his education policy as the best tool for advancement given to the people by any government or leader so far while expressing optimism that his socialist ideals would remain evergreen in the minds of generations yet to come.
They recalled that the great politician, during the period, provided free books, chairs, desks, lockers, benches, chalks, pencils, biro and even food, at no cost to parents, a feat which they said leaders had not been able to equal, let alone surpass.
Interestingly too, the immediate past President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, emerged second with 21 points while Buhari/Idiagbon came third with the same points.
In spite of the widespread condemnation of his government’s policies, especially reforms alleged to have brought hardships to Nigerians, a cross section of Nigerians identified as a leadership quality, Obasanjo’s decision to hand over power to civilians in 1979.
Obasanjo also received good ratings from the participants for courageous establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to wipe out corruption in the land.
Buhari/Idiagbon came third on account of their dogged fight and struggle to instil discipline in Nigerians and within the government. Former Head of State and Chairman, Nigeria Pray, General Yakubu Gowon, came fourth with 16 points while the late General Murtala Muhammed came fifth with 14 points.
Other Nigerians whose leadership qualities were acknowledged in the poll are Dr. Olusola Saraki, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Professor Dora Akunyili, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Ken Nnamani and President Umaru Yar’Adua.
In their brief remarks, the presenters said that the choice of Chief Awolowo was a challenge to Nigerian leaders to perform well and respect their followers.