Elder statesman, Enahoro dies at 87: Gowon, Musa, Adebanjo, Olusola, NGE, others react

The rank of Nigeria’s founding fathers was further depleted this morning with the passing on of frontline nationalist and elder statesman, Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro.

Enahoro, 87, died in the early hours of today after a protracted illness.

He had been ill since late September when he fell into coma and had been a regular occupant of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, where he died.

The death of foremost journalist, anti-colonial and pro-democracy activist, threw the pro-democracy community into mourning Wednesday because of the octogenarian’s his evergreen usefulness, resourcefulness and relevance in nation-building.

Among those who paid glowing tributes to the mover of the first motion for Nigeria’s independence were Former Head of State, Gen.

Yakubu Gowon, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP leader, Alh. Balarabe Musa, Afenifere stalwart, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Amb. Segun Olusola and Presidential aspirant of the Enahoro-led National Reformation Party, NRP, Dr Sam Nwanti. Others are Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Edo State Government.

Meanwhile, eminent Nigerian citizens have started pouring in their tributes as they react to the late politician’s death.

In his own reaction, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, felt extremely sorry. “I am so sorry,” the former military leader, whose regime late Chief Enahoro served as Federal Commissioner for Information, regretted. He went on: “It is very sad indeed that we have to lose such a great man, who was very active in the struggle for actualising independent Nigeria. He was also a very active politician who did a lot for Nigeria.” General Gowon said.

He recalled Chief Enahoro’s role in the successes that his government recorded in those days. “I recall him as my Federal Commissioner for Information and through that position he occupied in my government, he ensured excellence and displayed understanding in bringing Nigeria to the fore.

“He had to survive a lot of prisons with Awolowo and when Awolowo joined me in holding Nigeria together, Anthony Enahoro always showed cooperation and made relentless effort at making Nigeria truly strong.

“I am very sad at his death. May his soul rest in peace.” Gowon said, adding that he was going to personally visit his Benin home to pay his respect to the fallen hero when he goes to attend the funeral of the late wife of Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Clara, on Friday.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has described late Pa Anthony Enahoro as a fighter for justice and a great journalist and Editor of repute.

In a release signed by Mr. Gbenga Adfaye, President, the guild said: “The Nigerian Guild of Editors has received the news of the death of Pa Anthony Enahoro today with gratitude to God for a life spent in the service of humanity. Although a star had indeed fallen, the testimonial of the life he lived does not warrant sorrows.

Pa Enahoro left a legacy of what is good for the people.

“Pa Enahoro was not just a great Nigerian and nationalist who moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence. He was first of all a great journalist and editor of repute – having edited The Comet, a member of the Zik’s chain of newspapers. He was a fighter for justice, a crusader for the the emancipation of the oppressed. He dared the British colonialists.

“He confronted the internal colonialists of the First Republic even when it meant he had to face treason trial. He confronted the evil of disintegration as Information Minister. And in the old age when he should have retired to a life of rest, he dared the bullets of the military dictators.

“As he breathed his last, he remained in the struggle to have a fair, just and equitable federation, where no tribe is oppressed. He was for all his life in the quest for a truly democratic Nigeria run on a Constitution owned by the people. He did all of this at great personal cost, digging in into the trenches of liberation war for Nigeria.

“Nigeria has indeed lost a great hero. Africa has lost a great son. And journalism has lost a great, glittering reference point. “May his soul rest in perfect peace and his dream for Nigeria come true.”

Source: Vanguard Nigeria