UPDATED: Awolowo lived for others, Primate Ndukuba declares

…leads House of Bishops to Awolowo’s home in Ikenne-Remo

The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr Henry Ndukuba, has described the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a leader who lived sacrificially for others and left an enduring legacy of service to humanity.

He stated this on Monday evening  when he led other Anglican Archbishops, Bishops and their wives, on a visit to the Ikenne residence of the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Yeye Oodua, Mama HID Awolowo.

The visit formed part of the activities surrounding the 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, being hosted by the Diocese of Remo, at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.

The Primate reflected on the life of Awolowo and the significance of the residence to the visitors, submitting that the late statesman represented the type of leadership in which personal sacrifice and service to others were placed above self-interest.

He challenged today’s leaders to embrace the principle of selfless service , and reconsider the purpose of leadership and their responsibilities to the people that put them into power.

Primate Ndukuba said those who lived sacrificially, served others and were willing to pay the ultimate price in the line of duty, maintaining his stance that Papa Awolowo was “a man that lived for others.”

He drew a parallel between Awolowo’s life and the example of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Scriptures, left His heavenly throne, took upon Himself human form, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death.

The Primate said the visit to Awolowo’s home was particularly significant because the residence offered a glimpse into the spiritual discipline of the late leader.

While noting that the Chapel in the house, where Awolowo and his family regularly withdrew to seek the face of God, raised important questions about the seriousness with which present-day leaders approached their faith and relationship with God.

He urged the nation leaders to learn from Awolowo’s commitment to his faith and his understanding of leadership as a responsibility entrusted to him by God, while challenging Nigerians to move beyond outward religious practices and cultivate a genuine relationship with God.

Primate Ndukuba bemoaned the diminishing place of history in the education of Nigerian youths, saying a people who did not understand where they were coming from might find it difficult to determine where they were going.

He added that the name Obafemi Awolowo should continue to resonate with younger generations because of the remarkable contributions he made to the development of the country.

He expressed concern that contemporary society appeared to be losing some of the values that produced leaders who dedicated themselves to the service of humanity, and prayed that the visit would inspire leaders to embrace selflessness and service, so that their lives would continue to impact society even after their departure.

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The Primate prayed that Awolowo’s legacy should not merely be preserved as history but should serve as a lesson for present and future generations on responsible leadership, sacrifice, faith and service.

Ndukuba further urged leaders to live not for themselves but for God and the people they were called to serve.

Quoting from the Bible, he reminded the gathering that “none of us lives to himself or herself and no one dies to himself,” adding that whether people lived or died, they belonged to the Lord.

Earlier, Ndukuba expressed appreciation to the Diocese of Remo and its leadership for hosting the 15th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, describing the diocese as a significant part of the history and ministry of the Anglican Church in Nigeria.

He noted that the Diocese of Remo, which was marking 42 years of existence, had played a key role in the life of the Church of Nigeria, while observing the coincidence between the diocese holding its 15th Synod session and the Church of Nigeria convening its 15th General Synod, describing it as a “divine arrangement.”

The Bishop of Remo and Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, The Most Revd Dr Michael Olusina Fape, during the dinner organized by the former Ambassador to The Netherlands, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, appreciated the Awolowo Dynasty for being part of unforgettable history in the creation of the Diocese, some 42 years ago.

Fape described the former envoy as a “woman of many parts”, recalling her service as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Netherlands, saying she represented the country creditably.

The host Bishop remarked that the chairman of the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc and Executive Secretary of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, had continued to 

preserve her late parents’ legacies.

Fape said Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu sometime ago expressed a desire to bring back to life the memory and legacy of her late father, particularly through activities connected with the church and the historic site, which he said was expressly granted.

He informed that a priest had also been involved in activities of the Chapel, helping to sustain its historical and spiritual significance, while he particularly acknowledged her support for the Diocese and the hosting of the Synod.

In her remarks, Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu described the occasion as particularly significant because the Diocese of Remo, which her parents helped create 42 years ago, was hosting the General Synod for the first time.

She stressed that that her parents were people of deep Christian faith and deliberately passed that faith to their children, while linking their legacy of faith and service to humanity directly to the Synod’s theme, “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of Ministry.”

Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu disclosed that for the first time since her parents’ deaths, she had decided to open their bedrooms for viewing, while urging delegates to visit Efunyela Hall, the mausoleum and the museum, which contain photographs and materials documenting the couple’s lives and service.

Awolowo Dosumu said she could have wished her late parents to witness the occasion which she regarded as a privilege for her to continue, in her own way.

She said, “Papa ans Mama bestowed on us a legacy of faith, service and using one’s God-given gifts for the benefit of others.”

Goodwill messages were taken from the Bishop of Ijebu SouthWest, The Right Reverend Dr Babatunde Ogunbanwo; the Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the Synod, Justice Sunday Adeniyi; and the Arch Lay President of RIYE, Methodist Church,Nigeria, Sir Kunle Soname.

The trio in their remarks paid glowing tributes to Papa and Mama Awolowo for opening their doors to people of diverse cultures, beliefs, political inclination, and religious bodies while alive.

Justice Adeniyi said the Ikenne home of the Awolowo is a home to all Nigerians in particular, and Africa in general. He recalled the opportunity of dining with two former Archbishops of the Church of Nigeria in the Awolowo home.

Bishop Ogunbanwo urged the gathering to pass on to their children and their generations good legacies, appreciating Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu for building and sustaining the legacies of her parents.

Earlier, the hostess had given the visitors the opportunity to view the bedrooms of her late parents as part of her desire to make the visit a memorable one.

The Primate thanked her for opening the doors of the Awolowo home to him and his entourage, while recalling his connection to Ikenne-Remo.

He said the visit to Ikenne -Remo was more of an home-coming, recalling how his kinsmen were protected by the late Dr Tai Solarin during the civil war, and that the late educationist trained his uncle and many others 

The Primate said, “I have a personal connection with Ikenne people. I am here with a special reason. It is indeed homecoming to me. We will continue to build on the relationship.”

Highlights of the event was the presentation of books authored by the Sage to the Primate, Archbishops and Bishops who were in attendance