The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded national recognition for Late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Pa Michael Imoudu and all other notable Nigerians who fought for the independence of the country; but yet to be so recognised.
In particular, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke exclusively with Nigerian Tribune stressed the need to recognise Chief Enahoro, a very young Nigerian, who historically moved the first motion for Nigerian Independence in 1957.
He also wants such recognition for Pa Imoudu, known as labour leader number one, who led the first major strike by the Railway workers during the struggle for independence.
Wabba emphasised that Nigeria and her people should continue to celebrate the Independence Day “but make it a difference where we can teach the generations that are coming, include this generation that has not benefitted from fun and pageantry of celebrating the essence of our independence to continue to do so.”
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The NLC President regretted that of the new generation of Nigerian didn’t know the significance of independence, what was the struggle, and who are those that led the struggle for independence.
He said: “Most of them (who struggle for independence) actually died in penury. It is high time also for some of them to be recognized. Many of them have not been recognized. I remember that very young man then from Benin, Anthony Ehahoro. I am not sure Enahoro had been so recognized in the scheme of affairs given the right place based on the role he played.
“I cannot remember any monuments or edifice that have been named after him and these are people that had done all the best to actually put our country on the path of progress and development, and also fought for independence. Many of them, including our Labour number one, Michael Imoudu; all of them played very significant roles leading to independence.”
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He added: “I remember, it was the strike of Railway Workers that also played a very significant role in bringing about our independence. The essence of our independence, and what our expectations or the expectations of our forefathers were then, has not been achieved. That, I think everybody will agree it has not been achieved.”
Going forward, the NLC president said Nigerians must work in unity and together continue to look at what are actually the principles of the founding fathers, adding, “what were their aspirations, what were their thoughts, what were their plans for Nigeria as a country?”
According to him, it was a time for sober reflection, saying, “it is high time, that at each Independence Day celebration, we should be able to have time for sober reflection, we should be able to have a platform to discuss our challenges and how to make progress.
“I think this is what is desirable at this point in time, not to continue to do the same thing the same way, and think that we will get out of this quagmire.”
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