Mbonu Ojike: Nigerian Nationalist, Pan-Africanist, Cultural Crusader In Addition To The Boycott King
Mazi Mbonu Ojike (1912-1959) was an outspoken in addition to fearless Nigerian nationalist, slap-up pan-Africanist, an African cultural crusader, an an writer in addition to an activist for social judge in addition to racial equality. He coined the at 1 time famous phrase “Boycott the Boycottables”, which earned him the championship the “Boycott King.” His greatest conduct upon was psychological in addition to intellectual. He gave dorsum to the Nigerian pride inwards himself every bit a human being, inwards his civilization every bit a living functional whole.
Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Nationalist, Pan-Africanist, Cultural Crusader in addition to the "Boycott King" of Nigeria.
He was an Igbo human being whose political stature comes 3rd after beau ndi-Igbos Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe in addition to Dr Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe. Ojike was also a renowned pupil organizer in addition to leader, a paper columnist (journalist) in addition to a fire-brand pol was inwards the degree of giant Nigerian political heavyweights similar Chief H.O. Davies, physician Michael Okpara, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Chief Bode Thomas, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, Alhaji Mohammadu Ribadu in addition to Alhaji Zana Rima Dipcharima.
As a pan-Africanist, Mazi Ojike practiced what he preached past times adopting native names, clothes, food, in addition to ways of life. Ironically, he toured the towns in addition to villages amongst his message of cultural nationalism inwards cars imported from abroad. He wore traditional wearing clothing to business office in addition to served palm wine, instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions in addition to parties. He replaced his arrange amongst agbada or jumper in addition to encouraged civil servants to appear inwards business office inwards native attire.
Mazi Ojike was a staunch critic of imperialism in addition to lose no chance to onset colonialism in addition to its trial on Africans. In the recent 2013 majority entitled "The Igbo Intellectual Tradition: Creative Conflict inwards African in addition to African Diasporic Thought," edited past times Gloria Chuku, the writer averred that "Ojike’s uncompromising rejection of alien culture, especially European civilization in addition to colonial domination, in addition to his anti-European imperialist motion earned him the championship of “The King of Boycottables.” Yet Ojike was a beneficiary of European civilization in addition to fifty-fifty campaigned for the retentiveness of some aspects of that civilization inwards Africa. This type of contradictions, every bit good every bit controversies in addition to “scandals” surrounding Ojike’s scholarship, political career in addition to activism are also examined."
Mazi Ojike was 1 of the 7 vivid immature men who were inspired in addition to encouraged past times Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe to canvass to USA "in search of the Golden Fleece" inwards Dec 1938. The grouping includes Dr K. O. Mbadiwe aka Man of Timber in addition to Calibre, Otuka Okala, Dr Nnodu Okongwu, Engr. Nwanko Chukwuemeka, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, physician Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu in addition to George Igbodebe Mbadiwe. Dr Mbadiwe ever referred to this grouping every bit "Seven Argonauts." It is said that every bit shortly every bit Ojike landed inwards US, he joined pupil politics in addition to it did non stimulate got him much fourth dimension to win election every bit the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts in addition to Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of l nations met inwards San Francisco for the conference known officially every bit the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location every bit a pupil observer representing the Academy. As a leader of the African students motion Ojike embarked on extensive lecture tours of the USA educating the Americans on the honour in addition to dignity of their roots. Ojike’s activism inwards the USA was non confined to associations, conferences in addition to rallies.
In his curt sojourn of iii years in addition to inwards his capacity every bit a prolific writer he published iii books: Portrait of a Boy inwards Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) in addition to I stimulate got Two Countries (1947). In the get-go ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity in addition to integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inwards his 3rd majority when inwards recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to describe illuminating comparisons amongst life inwards Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries in addition to to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our basis has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men in addition to women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Ojike, genuinely became famous during the struggle for independence through his weekly paper column, ‘Weekend Catechism’ inwards the West African Pilot. Through that pop platform, he appealed to Nigerians to perceive independence from the cultural perspective. His sentiment was that the attachment of the immature educated elements to British civilization was some other cast of enslavement. Thus, the slap-up nationalist taught Nigerians to decline or avoid “foreign things” or “imported things”, contending that, inwards the procedure of identifying amongst or embracing the civilization of the colonial masters, the pride of the colonised community is farther injured. Ojike was the General director of the West African pilot.
He “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inwards rattling curt monastic say to a seat of high prominence inwards National Council of Nigeria in addition to Republic of Cameroon (NCNC) circles, from which he was to grip many major appointments including: an adviser to the NCNC Delegation at the 1949 constitutional conference, Deputy Mayor of Lagos, National Vice president of the NCNC,
Member of Eastern House of Assembly, Eastern Regional Minister of Works in addition to Eastern Regional Minister of Finance.
Mazi Ojike was both a fan in addition to foe of the quondam Premier of Eastern Region, physician Nnamidi Azikiwe. As Finance Minister nether Zik, he cruel out amongst his leader.
Ojike died at the historic menses of 44 inwards an auto crash. Many Nigerians believed that he left without realising his total potentials.
Mbonu Ojike was born into the polygynous household unit of measurement of Ojike in addition to Mgbeke Emeanulu around 1912 inwards Ndiakeme hamlet of Arondizuogu inwards eastern Nigeria at a menses when Igbo civilization in addition to companionship came nether intense European purplish assault.
Ojike’s childhood saw weather condition of slap-up devastation, insecurity, incertitude in addition to anxiety occasioned past times the confluence of events, that included British subjugation of the Igbo, the outbreak of WWI in addition to the flu epidemic of 1918–1919. These occurrences helped to shape his life. As 1 of the nineteen sons of his parent, Mbonu demonstrated early on inwards his life an independent take away heed in addition to strength of character.
By his ain concern human relationship he decided to become to schoolhouse inwards spite of his father, a prosperous Aro trader who would stimulate got preferred his sons to serve their apprenticeship on the route amongst him. Leaving primary schoolhouse at an unusually early on historic menses Ojike became a pupil instructor who ‘taught unproblematic subjects past times twenty-four hours in addition to studied secondary lessons past times night’. "When he graduated from unproblematic school, he broke amongst local tradition past times refusing to marry. he persisted inwards his studies, winning a scholarship to the famous Teacher Training College at Awka., from which he earned his Higher Elementary teachers certificate."
He went on to learn in that location after graduation. While teaching he continued his individual studies, obtaining the Cambridge School Certificate in addition to a University of London Diploma. The get-go signs of his political awareness appeared at this fourth dimension when he led his beau younger teachers on a strike to goal discriminatory treatment. With the advent of Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) on the Nationalist scene, Ojike promptly enlisted inwards the struggle past times joining the Zik’s grouping of Newspapers.
Still searching for cognition Ojike became 1 of the groups of Nigerian; ‘Argonauts’ who, inspired past times Zik left for the USA of America where he enrolled every bit a pupil of the Lincoln University. He subsequently studied at Ohio in addition to Chicago universities, obtaining B.A. in addition to M.A. from Chicago University.
Not unexpectedly, Ojike joined pupil politics every bit shortly every bit he landed inwards the United States. It did non stimulate got him much fourth dimension to win election every bit the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts in addition to Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of l nations met inwards San Francisco for the conference known officially every bit the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location every bit a pupil observer representing the Academy. As a leader of the African students motion Ojike embarked on extensive lecture tours of the USA educating the Americans on the honour in addition to dignity of their roots.
Ojike’s activism inwards the USA was non confined to associations, conferences in addition to rallies. In his curt sojourn of iii years he published iii books: Portrait of a Boy inwards Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) in addition to I stimulate got Two Countries (1947). In the get-go ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity in addition to integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inwards his 3rd majority when inwards recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to describe illuminating comparisons amongst life inwards Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries in addition to to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our basis has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men in addition to women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Mazi Mbonu Ojike returned to Nigeria inwards 1947 in addition to “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inwards rattling curt monastic say to a seat of high prominence inwards NCNC circles, from which he was to grip many major appointments including:
Adviser to the NCNC Delegation at the 1949 constitutional conference
Deputy Mayor of Lagos,
National Vice president of the NCNC
Member, Eastern House of Assembly
Eastern Regional Minister of Works
Eastern Regional Minister of Finance.
Professionally Ojike entered journalism, becoming the General director of the West African airplane pilot where he established in addition to wrote the influential weekly column ‘Week End Catechism’. He also ventured into large-scale concern venture before going into full-time politics towards the goal of his life.
Mazi Mbonu Ojike died inwards 1959. In 8 brief years of world life he did to a greater extent than than whatsoever other Nigerian, before or since, to enhance world consciousness of our identity in addition to pride every bit Africans or Nigerians, to counteract the rampant civilization of disparagement, to assert in addition to indicate the means to practical self-confident, self-reliance; self reliance inwards ideas, inwards deportment in addition to inwards action.
In his spare in addition to incisive prose Ojike cutting opened upward in addition to examined the cant, sophistry in addition to pretensions of the colonial province in addition to church.
His greatest conduct upon was psychological in addition to intellectual. He gave dorsum to the Nigerian pride inwards himself every bit a human being, inwards his civilization every bit a living functional whole.
He coined the at 1 time famous phrase “Boycott the Boycottables”, which earned him the championship the “Boycott King”. He led past times example, consistently wearing traditional wearing clothing to business office in addition to serving palm vino instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions in addition to parties. Under the withering scorn of Ojike’s pen the southern pol abandoned his three-piece arrange for the Agbada or jumper. The civil service itself capitulated, conceding the correct of its staff to come upward to piece of occupation inwards appropriate ‘native’ attire.
In his West African Pilot Sabbatum column, “Week End Catechism” Ojike interacted weekly amongst the many inquiring, soul-searching Nigerians exploring the problems in addition to dilemmas of a companionship inwards the twilight of colonialism. His vision was ever clear in addition to consistent, his advice robust in addition to practical.
As a political activist Ojike brought his vision, flair in addition to mutual feel into the politics of independence. One of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s most influential lieutenants, he worked difficult behind the scenes, defining in addition to refining concepts, preparing seat papers, manifestoes, slogans. A supreme publicist, he galvanized political rallies amongst his slogans in addition to songs, earning the sobriquet of “Freedom Choirmaster”.
The sharpness of Ojike’s political vision is illustrated past times 1 of the few overt acts of opened upward disagreement amongst his political party position. This was the subscription (with Professor Eyo Ita) to a Minority Report on the constitutional conference objecting non to the regulation of a federal construction but to the creation of a federal scheme based on iii regions, a solution which they foresaw would Pb to destabilizing ethnic hegemonic in addition to separatist activeness in addition to reaction. (Coleman, 1956; Okafor 1981) Eighteen years subsequently (in 1967) the iii regional structures collapsed. Ojike also stood theatre against the ideas of a theatre of chiefs in addition to an Electoral College system, both of which stimulate got since been discarded.
Another celebrated facet of Ojike’s contributions to world life was his originality, courage, difficult piece of occupation in addition to dedication every bit a Minister. Two meaning instances of political courage may survive cited: his contribution to a feasible solution of the struggle betwixt Onitsha indigenes in addition to non-indigenes for the political command of the Onitsha Urban Council, in addition to his bold introduction of the PAYE scheme of taxation. Both initiatives were at obvious in addition to considerable run a jeopardy to Ojike’s political career.
Ojike was a Minister amongst a difference. Thus, to advert but 1 instance, it is on tape that every bit Minister of industrial plant on tour of projects he oftentimes assigned his luxurious official automobile to his officials to assist amongst basic transportation needs piece he visited locations on pes or force bike. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fellow member of the Eastern House of Assembly paid him this tribute every bit published inwards the official Proceedings. “He went to the villages, educating in addition to mingling amongst the miserable natives. In fact inwards … Division he is non known every bit the “Boycott King” every bit he is normally known; he is known every bit the Minister of Water … in fact he is a piece of occupation human being … he is to a greater extent than of workman than a Minister.” As Minister of Works Ojike initiated the construction of major link roads inwards the East the results of which nosotros are nevertheless enjoying today.
The presentation of Ojike’s get-go budget every bit Minister of Finance earned him this unstinting praise from the Leader of the Opposition, Professor Eyo Ita: “I think nosotros ought to survive proud to run into that an African minister, only come upward to office, is able to stimulate got the whole span of the Region’s economical field, in addition to bargain amongst it inwards the means the Minister of Finance has done. What he has achieved has been compared amongst the achievement of his predecessors of some other race. Although that also makes us experience proud. I desire us to retrieve that nosotros should non exclusively compare ourselves amongst people of other races but nosotros should compare ourselves amongst ourselves – inwards other words, what nosotros tin can achieve.” Another eminent opposition member, physician Okoi Arikpo, had this to say “ I was rattling impressed past times the touching of realism which runs through his entire address” that tribute was significant.
One of his most meaning contributions was the introduction of the “Pay As You Earn”(PAYE) scheme of personal taxation into the country. He also saw to the shine in addition to effective take-off of the African Continental Bank the get-go indigenous banking concern inwards Nigeria, in addition to was largely instrumental to the successful take-off of the Easter Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC)
His Message
Mazi Mbonu Ojike.s greatest contribution to national evolution was inwards his insistence on national mental emancipation, inwards his propagation of national self-awareness in addition to pride, in addition to inwards his assiduous advertisement of a self-reliant strategy of national development. He encapsulated his message inwards the famous slogan: “Boycott all Boycottables”, which earned him the championship of “The Boycott King”.
As Professor Frank Ndili, quondam Vice-Chancellor of this slap-up academy stated inwards his preface to the get-go majority inwards honour of Ojike published past times the Institute for Development Studies, the Boycott philosophy “epitomizes belief inwards one’s ain abilities. Nigeria today imports gear upward made goods, “psychological foods”, fifty-fifty models, patterns of organizations in addition to institutions from the developed countries, thereby subjecting the national economic scheme in addition to companionship to all mode of international upheavals that our introduce bird of socio-economic evolution cannot sustain., Nigeria tin can do without a issue of these imported goods in addition to values in addition to shift efforts towards the optimal utilization of her inert capabilities.” That contestation was made 26 years ago. Today in that location is a lot of talk, a lot of theorizing, a lot of evangelism most globalization. And Nigeria has publicly bought into the agenda. But the fact remains that unless nosotros know ourselves, stimulate got practiced cognizance of our resources in addition to strengths, in addition to contribute them confidently in addition to productively to the global partnership, whether it survive inwards the sphere of ideas or inwards the sphere of materials, nosotros shall remain, every bit now, the underdogs inwards the global struggle, incurring to a greater extent than than our fair portion of the costs in addition to earning less than our fair portion of the benefits..
The minute appear of Ojike’s message which I would similar to highlight today is reflected inwards his thoughts on education. Student, activist, pol or businessman, Mbonu Ojike was a instructor all his life, retaining an abiding involvement inwards education. This Hall of Residence memorialises that interest. In an before endeavor nosotros at the Institute for Development Studies organized inwards his honour a serial of lecture on the theme: Education for Self Reliance. The published version included excerpts on Education from his Week End Catechism. I stimulate got taken the freedom of reproducing the excerpts for this presentation. You volition detect how many of our introduce twenty-four hours concerns were anticipated in addition to dealt amongst past times Mbonu Ojike fifty-five or to a greater extent than years ago.
Thus inwards 1949 he argued the instance for free, compulsory, amongst authorities edifice its ain schools in addition to encouraging all others interested inwards educational ventures. On content, he urged that “the entire pedagogy code survive revised in addition to recast to give our youth existent in addition to dynamic pedagogy for production And creativity. He was for rejecting unusual certificates inwards secondary pedagogy – Cmbridge School Certificate in addition to London Matriculation in addition to all that, inwards favour of developing our ain standardised certificates based on relevant pedagogy of a character worthy of honour at abode in addition to abroad..
On higher education, he argued: We do non larn for the sake of learning, but to do some service amongst it to ourselves in addition to country. For him, “the duty which a academy owes to a province is three-fold:
to discovery in addition to prepare a large issue of intellectual elites, drawn from a broad circle of the land without discrimination.
to keep for the communityits ain God-given touchstone or culture, that is, a canon of gustatory modality of beauty, of truth in addition to juastice
to advance scientific discipline in addition to philosophy past times promoting research, originality, rationality in addition to inventiveness.
He also argues that a University without nationalism is a mere waste product of time.
On the theme of culture, organized religious belief and civilization, he had this to say (again this was inwards 1949); Africa in addition to Europe existed before the nativity of Christ. Yet inwards that basis epoch Europe did non dominion Africa, neither was Europe moiré industrialized than Africa. The current of civilization inwards its philosophical in addition to stuff aspects did 1 time flow from Africa to Europe fifty-fifty every bit it did flow from Europe to America ii hundred years ago” And he added, prophetically, “Today Europe is declining, America is ascending, fifty-fifty every bit Europe was before in addition to Africa was before Europe. Asia is rising though without the menacing factors of imperialism. Africa is coming dorsum to its quondam glory. It volition inwards due class stimulate got over. Sadly’ Africa has thus far failed to fulfill its destiny. We demand to focus on it. There is no demand for self denigration or despair, much demand for vision in addition to effort. As he said: “Change is an imperative police force of nature. Its source is mental attitude to life inwards all its ramifications in addition to non geography. th pride in addition to morality the leadership of rthe world.”.
Ojike had a vision for our country: “When I run into inwards our country, shops, factories, banks, universities, societies in addition to clubs maintaining proud comparing amongst what they are inwards other countries, in addition to thus if I am asked to stimulate got a bow for contributing my tiny combat towards that reality of economical stability in addition to national identity, I shall non hesitate to do thus amongst humility in addition to gratitude.” Tragically, he did non alive to stimulate got that bow. But his message lives, in addition to I promise that you, his spiritual children of Mbonu Ojike Hall, in addition to indeed all of us, volition alive in addition to piece of occupation to stimulate got it for him.
Today the statue of Mbonu Ojike stands every bit a visual reminder of his legacy in addition to message. Look to it in addition to remember. To encapsulate his message: in that location is piece of occupation to survive done, the piece of occupation of edifice a prosperous, confident in addition to self-reliant nation, in addition to no human being or adult woman should residual from their labours.
source:http://ukwufoundation.org/mazi-mbonu-ojike-the-man-and-his-message/
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/remembering-ojike-the-boycott-king/
Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Nationalist, Pan-Africanist, Cultural Crusader in addition to the "Boycott King" of Nigeria.
He was an Igbo human being whose political stature comes 3rd after beau ndi-Igbos Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe in addition to Dr Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe. Ojike was also a renowned pupil organizer in addition to leader, a paper columnist (journalist) in addition to a fire-brand pol was inwards the degree of giant Nigerian political heavyweights similar Chief H.O. Davies, physician Michael Okpara, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Chief Bode Thomas, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, Alhaji Mohammadu Ribadu in addition to Alhaji Zana Rima Dipcharima.
As a pan-Africanist, Mazi Ojike practiced what he preached past times adopting native names, clothes, food, in addition to ways of life. Ironically, he toured the towns in addition to villages amongst his message of cultural nationalism inwards cars imported from abroad. He wore traditional wearing clothing to business office in addition to served palm wine, instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions in addition to parties. He replaced his arrange amongst agbada or jumper in addition to encouraged civil servants to appear inwards business office inwards native attire.
Mazi Ojike was a staunch critic of imperialism in addition to lose no chance to onset colonialism in addition to its trial on Africans. In the recent 2013 majority entitled "The Igbo Intellectual Tradition: Creative Conflict inwards African in addition to African Diasporic Thought," edited past times Gloria Chuku, the writer averred that "Ojike’s uncompromising rejection of alien culture, especially European civilization in addition to colonial domination, in addition to his anti-European imperialist motion earned him the championship of “The King of Boycottables.” Yet Ojike was a beneficiary of European civilization in addition to fifty-fifty campaigned for the retentiveness of some aspects of that civilization inwards Africa. This type of contradictions, every bit good every bit controversies in addition to “scandals” surrounding Ojike’s scholarship, political career in addition to activism are also examined."
US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, sponsor in addition to Guest of Honor of the African Dance Festival, held Mon evening, Dec 14, 1943 at the Carnegie Hall amongst Mazi Mbonu Ojike (standing on the correct side wearing African wearing clothing amongst a cap) who came from the University of Chicago representin the African students. Image: Bettmann Collection
Mazi Ojike was 1 of the 7 vivid immature men who were inspired in addition to encouraged past times Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe to canvass to USA "in search of the Golden Fleece" inwards Dec 1938. The grouping includes Dr K. O. Mbadiwe aka Man of Timber in addition to Calibre, Otuka Okala, Dr Nnodu Okongwu, Engr. Nwanko Chukwuemeka, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, physician Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu in addition to George Igbodebe Mbadiwe. Dr Mbadiwe ever referred to this grouping every bit "Seven Argonauts." It is said that every bit shortly every bit Ojike landed inwards US, he joined pupil politics in addition to it did non stimulate got him much fourth dimension to win election every bit the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts in addition to Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of l nations met inwards San Francisco for the conference known officially every bit the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location every bit a pupil observer representing the Academy. As a leader of the African students motion Ojike embarked on extensive lecture tours of the USA educating the Americans on the honour in addition to dignity of their roots. Ojike’s activism inwards the USA was non confined to associations, conferences in addition to rallies.
In his curt sojourn of iii years in addition to inwards his capacity every bit a prolific writer he published iii books: Portrait of a Boy inwards Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) in addition to I stimulate got Two Countries (1947). In the get-go ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity in addition to integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inwards his 3rd majority when inwards recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to describe illuminating comparisons amongst life inwards Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries in addition to to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our basis has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men in addition to women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Ojike, genuinely became famous during the struggle for independence through his weekly paper column, ‘Weekend Catechism’ inwards the West African Pilot. Through that pop platform, he appealed to Nigerians to perceive independence from the cultural perspective. His sentiment was that the attachment of the immature educated elements to British civilization was some other cast of enslavement. Thus, the slap-up nationalist taught Nigerians to decline or avoid “foreign things” or “imported things”, contending that, inwards the procedure of identifying amongst or embracing the civilization of the colonial masters, the pride of the colonised community is farther injured. Ojike was the General director of the West African pilot.
He “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inwards rattling curt monastic say to a seat of high prominence inwards National Council of Nigeria in addition to Republic of Cameroon (NCNC) circles, from which he was to grip many major appointments including: an adviser to the NCNC Delegation at the 1949 constitutional conference, Deputy Mayor of Lagos, National Vice president of the NCNC,
Member of Eastern House of Assembly, Eastern Regional Minister of Works in addition to Eastern Regional Minister of Finance.
Mazi Ojike was both a fan in addition to foe of the quondam Premier of Eastern Region, physician Nnamidi Azikiwe. As Finance Minister nether Zik, he cruel out amongst his leader.
Ojike died at the historic menses of 44 inwards an auto crash. Many Nigerians believed that he left without realising his total potentials.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, sponsor in addition to Guest of Honor of the African Dance Festival, held Mon evening, Dec 14, 1943 at the Carnegie Hall. Shown hither amongst her are Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe (center), caput of the Academy of African Arts in addition to Research, which is presenting the festival, in addition to Mazi Mbonu Ojike who came from the University of Chicago representin the African students. Image: Bettmann Collection
Mbonu Ojike was born into the polygynous household unit of measurement of Ojike in addition to Mgbeke Emeanulu around 1912 inwards Ndiakeme hamlet of Arondizuogu inwards eastern Nigeria at a menses when Igbo civilization in addition to companionship came nether intense European purplish assault.
Ojike’s childhood saw weather condition of slap-up devastation, insecurity, incertitude in addition to anxiety occasioned past times the confluence of events, that included British subjugation of the Igbo, the outbreak of WWI in addition to the flu epidemic of 1918–1919. These occurrences helped to shape his life. As 1 of the nineteen sons of his parent, Mbonu demonstrated early on inwards his life an independent take away heed in addition to strength of character.
By his ain concern human relationship he decided to become to schoolhouse inwards spite of his father, a prosperous Aro trader who would stimulate got preferred his sons to serve their apprenticeship on the route amongst him. Leaving primary schoolhouse at an unusually early on historic menses Ojike became a pupil instructor who ‘taught unproblematic subjects past times twenty-four hours in addition to studied secondary lessons past times night’. "When he graduated from unproblematic school, he broke amongst local tradition past times refusing to marry. he persisted inwards his studies, winning a scholarship to the famous Teacher Training College at Awka., from which he earned his Higher Elementary teachers certificate."
He went on to learn in that location after graduation. While teaching he continued his individual studies, obtaining the Cambridge School Certificate in addition to a University of London Diploma. The get-go signs of his political awareness appeared at this fourth dimension when he led his beau younger teachers on a strike to goal discriminatory treatment. With the advent of Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) on the Nationalist scene, Ojike promptly enlisted inwards the struggle past times joining the Zik’s grouping of Newspapers.
Still searching for cognition Ojike became 1 of the groups of Nigerian; ‘Argonauts’ who, inspired past times Zik left for the USA of America where he enrolled every bit a pupil of the Lincoln University. He subsequently studied at Ohio in addition to Chicago universities, obtaining B.A. in addition to M.A. from Chicago University.
Not unexpectedly, Ojike joined pupil politics every bit shortly every bit he landed inwards the United States. It did non stimulate got him much fourth dimension to win election every bit the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts in addition to Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of l nations met inwards San Francisco for the conference known officially every bit the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location every bit a pupil observer representing the Academy. As a leader of the African students motion Ojike embarked on extensive lecture tours of the USA educating the Americans on the honour in addition to dignity of their roots.
Ojike’s activism inwards the USA was non confined to associations, conferences in addition to rallies. In his curt sojourn of iii years he published iii books: Portrait of a Boy inwards Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) in addition to I stimulate got Two Countries (1947). In the get-go ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity in addition to integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inwards his 3rd majority when inwards recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to describe illuminating comparisons amongst life inwards Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries in addition to to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our basis has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men in addition to women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Mazi Mbonu Ojike returned to Nigeria inwards 1947 in addition to “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inwards rattling curt monastic say to a seat of high prominence inwards NCNC circles, from which he was to grip many major appointments including:
Adviser to the NCNC Delegation at the 1949 constitutional conference
Deputy Mayor of Lagos,
National Vice president of the NCNC
Member, Eastern House of Assembly
Eastern Regional Minister of Works
Eastern Regional Minister of Finance.
Mazi Mbonu Ojike
Mazi Mbonu Ojike died inwards 1959. In 8 brief years of world life he did to a greater extent than than whatsoever other Nigerian, before or since, to enhance world consciousness of our identity in addition to pride every bit Africans or Nigerians, to counteract the rampant civilization of disparagement, to assert in addition to indicate the means to practical self-confident, self-reliance; self reliance inwards ideas, inwards deportment in addition to inwards action.
In his spare in addition to incisive prose Ojike cutting opened upward in addition to examined the cant, sophistry in addition to pretensions of the colonial province in addition to church.
His greatest conduct upon was psychological in addition to intellectual. He gave dorsum to the Nigerian pride inwards himself every bit a human being, inwards his civilization every bit a living functional whole.
He coined the at 1 time famous phrase “Boycott the Boycottables”, which earned him the championship the “Boycott King”. He led past times example, consistently wearing traditional wearing clothing to business office in addition to serving palm vino instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions in addition to parties. Under the withering scorn of Ojike’s pen the southern pol abandoned his three-piece arrange for the Agbada or jumper. The civil service itself capitulated, conceding the correct of its staff to come upward to piece of occupation inwards appropriate ‘native’ attire.
In his West African Pilot Sabbatum column, “Week End Catechism” Ojike interacted weekly amongst the many inquiring, soul-searching Nigerians exploring the problems in addition to dilemmas of a companionship inwards the twilight of colonialism. His vision was ever clear in addition to consistent, his advice robust in addition to practical.
As a political activist Ojike brought his vision, flair in addition to mutual feel into the politics of independence. One of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s most influential lieutenants, he worked difficult behind the scenes, defining in addition to refining concepts, preparing seat papers, manifestoes, slogans. A supreme publicist, he galvanized political rallies amongst his slogans in addition to songs, earning the sobriquet of “Freedom Choirmaster”.
The sharpness of Ojike’s political vision is illustrated past times 1 of the few overt acts of opened upward disagreement amongst his political party position. This was the subscription (with Professor Eyo Ita) to a Minority Report on the constitutional conference objecting non to the regulation of a federal construction but to the creation of a federal scheme based on iii regions, a solution which they foresaw would Pb to destabilizing ethnic hegemonic in addition to separatist activeness in addition to reaction. (Coleman, 1956; Okafor 1981) Eighteen years subsequently (in 1967) the iii regional structures collapsed. Ojike also stood theatre against the ideas of a theatre of chiefs in addition to an Electoral College system, both of which stimulate got since been discarded.
Another celebrated facet of Ojike’s contributions to world life was his originality, courage, difficult piece of occupation in addition to dedication every bit a Minister. Two meaning instances of political courage may survive cited: his contribution to a feasible solution of the struggle betwixt Onitsha indigenes in addition to non-indigenes for the political command of the Onitsha Urban Council, in addition to his bold introduction of the PAYE scheme of taxation. Both initiatives were at obvious in addition to considerable run a jeopardy to Ojike’s political career.
Ojike was a Minister amongst a difference. Thus, to advert but 1 instance, it is on tape that every bit Minister of industrial plant on tour of projects he oftentimes assigned his luxurious official automobile to his officials to assist amongst basic transportation needs piece he visited locations on pes or force bike. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fellow member of the Eastern House of Assembly paid him this tribute every bit published inwards the official Proceedings. “He went to the villages, educating in addition to mingling amongst the miserable natives. In fact inwards … Division he is non known every bit the “Boycott King” every bit he is normally known; he is known every bit the Minister of Water … in fact he is a piece of occupation human being … he is to a greater extent than of workman than a Minister.” As Minister of Works Ojike initiated the construction of major link roads inwards the East the results of which nosotros are nevertheless enjoying today.
The presentation of Ojike’s get-go budget every bit Minister of Finance earned him this unstinting praise from the Leader of the Opposition, Professor Eyo Ita: “I think nosotros ought to survive proud to run into that an African minister, only come upward to office, is able to stimulate got the whole span of the Region’s economical field, in addition to bargain amongst it inwards the means the Minister of Finance has done. What he has achieved has been compared amongst the achievement of his predecessors of some other race. Although that also makes us experience proud. I desire us to retrieve that nosotros should non exclusively compare ourselves amongst people of other races but nosotros should compare ourselves amongst ourselves – inwards other words, what nosotros tin can achieve.” Another eminent opposition member, physician Okoi Arikpo, had this to say “ I was rattling impressed past times the touching of realism which runs through his entire address” that tribute was significant.
One of his most meaning contributions was the introduction of the “Pay As You Earn”(PAYE) scheme of personal taxation into the country. He also saw to the shine in addition to effective take-off of the African Continental Bank the get-go indigenous banking concern inwards Nigeria, in addition to was largely instrumental to the successful take-off of the Easter Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC)
His Message
Mazi Mbonu Ojike.s greatest contribution to national evolution was inwards his insistence on national mental emancipation, inwards his propagation of national self-awareness in addition to pride, in addition to inwards his assiduous advertisement of a self-reliant strategy of national development. He encapsulated his message inwards the famous slogan: “Boycott all Boycottables”, which earned him the championship of “The Boycott King”.
As Professor Frank Ndili, quondam Vice-Chancellor of this slap-up academy stated inwards his preface to the get-go majority inwards honour of Ojike published past times the Institute for Development Studies, the Boycott philosophy “epitomizes belief inwards one’s ain abilities. Nigeria today imports gear upward made goods, “psychological foods”, fifty-fifty models, patterns of organizations in addition to institutions from the developed countries, thereby subjecting the national economic scheme in addition to companionship to all mode of international upheavals that our introduce bird of socio-economic evolution cannot sustain., Nigeria tin can do without a issue of these imported goods in addition to values in addition to shift efforts towards the optimal utilization of her inert capabilities.” That contestation was made 26 years ago. Today in that location is a lot of talk, a lot of theorizing, a lot of evangelism most globalization. And Nigeria has publicly bought into the agenda. But the fact remains that unless nosotros know ourselves, stimulate got practiced cognizance of our resources in addition to strengths, in addition to contribute them confidently in addition to productively to the global partnership, whether it survive inwards the sphere of ideas or inwards the sphere of materials, nosotros shall remain, every bit now, the underdogs inwards the global struggle, incurring to a greater extent than than our fair portion of the costs in addition to earning less than our fair portion of the benefits..
The minute appear of Ojike’s message which I would similar to highlight today is reflected inwards his thoughts on education. Student, activist, pol or businessman, Mbonu Ojike was a instructor all his life, retaining an abiding involvement inwards education. This Hall of Residence memorialises that interest. In an before endeavor nosotros at the Institute for Development Studies organized inwards his honour a serial of lecture on the theme: Education for Self Reliance. The published version included excerpts on Education from his Week End Catechism. I stimulate got taken the freedom of reproducing the excerpts for this presentation. You volition detect how many of our introduce twenty-four hours concerns were anticipated in addition to dealt amongst past times Mbonu Ojike fifty-five or to a greater extent than years ago.
Thus inwards 1949 he argued the instance for free, compulsory, amongst authorities edifice its ain schools in addition to encouraging all others interested inwards educational ventures. On content, he urged that “the entire pedagogy code survive revised in addition to recast to give our youth existent in addition to dynamic pedagogy for production And creativity. He was for rejecting unusual certificates inwards secondary pedagogy – Cmbridge School Certificate in addition to London Matriculation in addition to all that, inwards favour of developing our ain standardised certificates based on relevant pedagogy of a character worthy of honour at abode in addition to abroad..
On higher education, he argued: We do non larn for the sake of learning, but to do some service amongst it to ourselves in addition to country. For him, “the duty which a academy owes to a province is three-fold:
to discovery in addition to prepare a large issue of intellectual elites, drawn from a broad circle of the land without discrimination.
to keep for the communityits ain God-given touchstone or culture, that is, a canon of gustatory modality of beauty, of truth in addition to juastice
to advance scientific discipline in addition to philosophy past times promoting research, originality, rationality in addition to inventiveness.
He also argues that a University without nationalism is a mere waste product of time.
On the theme of culture, organized religious belief and civilization, he had this to say (again this was inwards 1949); Africa in addition to Europe existed before the nativity of Christ. Yet inwards that basis epoch Europe did non dominion Africa, neither was Europe moiré industrialized than Africa. The current of civilization inwards its philosophical in addition to stuff aspects did 1 time flow from Africa to Europe fifty-fifty every bit it did flow from Europe to America ii hundred years ago” And he added, prophetically, “Today Europe is declining, America is ascending, fifty-fifty every bit Europe was before in addition to Africa was before Europe. Asia is rising though without the menacing factors of imperialism. Africa is coming dorsum to its quondam glory. It volition inwards due class stimulate got over. Sadly’ Africa has thus far failed to fulfill its destiny. We demand to focus on it. There is no demand for self denigration or despair, much demand for vision in addition to effort. As he said: “Change is an imperative police force of nature. Its source is mental attitude to life inwards all its ramifications in addition to non geography. th pride in addition to morality the leadership of rthe world.”.
Ojike had a vision for our country: “When I run into inwards our country, shops, factories, banks, universities, societies in addition to clubs maintaining proud comparing amongst what they are inwards other countries, in addition to thus if I am asked to stimulate got a bow for contributing my tiny combat towards that reality of economical stability in addition to national identity, I shall non hesitate to do thus amongst humility in addition to gratitude.” Tragically, he did non alive to stimulate got that bow. But his message lives, in addition to I promise that you, his spiritual children of Mbonu Ojike Hall, in addition to indeed all of us, volition alive in addition to piece of occupation to stimulate got it for him.
Today the statue of Mbonu Ojike stands every bit a visual reminder of his legacy in addition to message. Look to it in addition to remember. To encapsulate his message: in that location is piece of occupation to survive done, the piece of occupation of edifice a prosperous, confident in addition to self-reliant nation, in addition to no human being or adult woman should residual from their labours.
source:http://ukwufoundation.org/mazi-mbonu-ojike-the-man-and-his-message/
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/remembering-ojike-the-boycott-king/
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