Info For You Lot Mbonu Ojike: Nigerian Nationalist, Pan-Africanist, Cultural Crusader In Addition To The Boycott King
Mazi Mbonu Ojike (1912-1959) was an outspoken too fearless Nigerian nationalist, slap-up pan-Africanist, an African cultural crusader, an an writer too an activist for social judge too racial equality. He coined the straight off famous phrase “Boycott the Boycottables”, which earned him the championship the “Boycott King.” His greatest touching on was psychological too intellectual. He gave dorsum to the Nigerian pride inward himself equally a human being, inward his civilisation equally a living functional whole.
Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Nationalist, Pan-Africanist, Cultural Crusader too the "Boycott King" of Nigeria.
He was an Igbo human being whose political stature comes tertiary after swain ndi-Igbos Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe too Dr Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe. Ojike was also a renowned pupil organizer too leader, a paper columnist (journalist) too a fire-brand politico was inward the aeroplane of giant Nigerian political heavyweights similar Chief H.O. Davies, MD Michael Okpara, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Chief Bode Thomas, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, Alhaji Mohammadu Ribadu too Alhaji Zana Rima Dipcharima.
As a pan-Africanist, Mazi Ojike practiced what he preached past times adopting native names, clothes, food, too ways of life. Ironically, he toured the towns too villages amongst his message of cultural nationalism inward cars imported from abroad. He wore traditional clothing to business office too served palm wine, instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions too parties. He replaced his adapt amongst agbada or jumper too encouraged civil servants to look inward business office inward native attire.
Mazi Ojike was a staunch critic of imperialism too lose no chance to onslaught colonialism too its outcome on Africans. In the recent 2013 majority entitled "The Igbo Intellectual Tradition: Creative Conflict inward African too African Diasporic Thought," edited past times Gloria Chuku, the writer averred that "Ojike’s uncompromising rejection of alien culture, especially European civilization too colonial domination, too his anti-European imperialist motion earned him the championship of “The King of Boycottables.” Yet Ojike was a beneficiary of European civilization too fifty-fifty campaigned for the retentiveness of some aspects of that civilization inward Africa. This type of contradictions, equally good equally controversies too “scandals” surrounding Ojike’s scholarship, political career too activism are also examined."
Mazi Ojike was 1 of the 7 vivid immature men who were inspired too encouraged past times Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe to canvass to USA "in search of the Golden Fleece" inward Dec 1938. The grouping includes Dr K. O. Mbadiwe aka Man of Timber too Calibre, Otuka Okala, Dr Nnodu Okongwu, Engr. Nwanko Chukwuemeka, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, MD Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu too George Igbodebe Mbadiwe. Dr Mbadiwe ever referred to this grouping equally "Seven Argonauts." It is said that equally presently equally Ojike landed inward US, he joined pupil politics too it did non remove hold him much fourth dimension to win election equally the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts too Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of 50 nations met inward San Francisco for the conference known officially equally the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location equally 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 too dignity of their roots. Ojike’s activism inward the USA was non confined to associations, conferences too rallies.
In his curt sojourn of 3 years too inward his capacity equally a prolific writer he published 3 books: Portrait of a Boy inward Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) too I remove hold Two Countries (1947). In the showtime ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity too integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inward his tertiary majority when inward recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to depict illuminating comparisons amongst life inward Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries too to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our the world has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men too women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Ojike, truly became famous during the struggle for independence through his weekly paper column, ‘Weekend Catechism’ inward 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 civilisation was some other shape of enslavement. Thus, the slap-up nationalist taught Nigerians to turn down or avoid “foreign things” or “imported things”, contending that, inward the procedure of identifying amongst or embracing the civilisation of the colonial masters, the pride of the colonised community is farther injured. Ojike was the General managing director of the West African pilot.
He “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inward really curt monastic tell to a seat of high prominence inward National Council of Nigeria too 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 too Eastern Regional Minister of Finance.
Mazi Ojike was both a fan too foe of the old Premier of Eastern Region, MD Nnamidi Azikiwe. As Finance Minister nether Zik, he roughshod out amongst his leader.
Ojike died at the historic catamenia of 44 inward an auto crash. Many Nigerians believed that he left without realising his total potentials.
Mbonu Ojike was born into the polygynous seat unit of measurement of Ojike too Mgbeke Emeanulu unopen to 1912 inward Ndiakeme hamlet of Arondizuogu inward eastern Nigeria at a catamenia when Igbo civilisation too companionship came nether intense European violet assault.
Ojike’s childhood saw atmospheric condition of slap-up devastation, insecurity, doubtfulness too anxiety occasioned past times the confluence of events, that included British subjugation of the Igbo, the outbreak of WWI too 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 inward his life an independent hear too strength of character.
By his ain work concern human relationship he decided to acquire to schoolhouse inward spite of his father, a prosperous Aro trader who would remove hold preferred his sons to serve their apprenticeship on the route amongst him. Leaving primary schoolhouse at an unusually early on historic catamenia Ojike became a pupil instructor who ‘taught uncomplicated subjects past times twenty-four lx minutes catamenia too studied secondary lessons past times night’. "When he graduated from uncomplicated school, he broke amongst local tradition past times refusing to marry. he persisted inward 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 too a University of London Diploma. The showtime signs of his political awareness appeared at this fourth dimension when he led his swain younger teachers on a strike to terminate discriminatory treatment. With the advent of Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) on the Nationalist scene, Ojike promptly enlisted inward the struggle past times joining the Zik’s grouping of Newspapers.
Still searching for noesis Ojike became 1 of the groups of Nigerian; ‘Argonauts’ who, inspired past times Zik left for the USA of America where he enrolled equally a pupil of the Lincoln University. He after studied at Ohio too Chicago universities, obtaining B.A. too M.A. from Chicago University.
Not unexpectedly, Ojike joined pupil politics equally presently equally he landed inward the United States. It did non remove hold him much fourth dimension to win election equally the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts too Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of 50 nations met inward San Francisco for the conference known officially equally the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location equally 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 too dignity of their roots.
Ojike’s activism inward the USA was non confined to associations, conferences too rallies. In his curt sojourn of 3 years he published 3 books: Portrait of a Boy inward Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) too I remove hold Two Countries (1947). In the showtime ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity too integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inward his tertiary majority when inward recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to depict illuminating comparisons amongst life inward Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries too to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our the world has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men too women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Mazi Mbonu Ojike returned to Nigeria inward 1947 too “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inward really curt monastic tell to a seat of high prominence inward 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 managing director of the West African airplane pilot where he established too wrote the influential weekly column ‘Week End Catechism’. He also ventured into large-scale work concern corporation before going into full-time politics towards the terminate of his life.
Mazi Mbonu Ojike died inward 1959. In 8 brief years of world life he did to a greater extent than than whatever other Nigerian, before or since, to heighten world consciousness of our identity too pride equally Africans or Nigerians, to counteract the rampant civilisation of disparagement, to assert too betoken the agency to practical self-confident, self-reliance; self reliance inward ideas, inward demeanour too inward action.
In his spare too incisive prose Ojike cutting opened upwards too examined the cant, sophistry too pretensions of the colonial province too church.
His greatest touching on was psychological too intellectual. He gave dorsum to the Nigerian pride inward himself equally a human being, inward his civilisation equally a living functional whole.
He coined the straight off famous phrase “Boycott the Boycottables”, which earned him the championship the “Boycott King”. He led past times example, consistently wearing traditional clothing to business office too serving palm vino instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions too parties. Under the withering scorn of Ojike’s pen the southern politico abandoned his three-piece adapt for the Agbada or jumper. The civil service itself capitulated, conceding the correct of its staff to come upwards to piece of work inward appropriate ‘native’ attire.
In his West African Pilot Sat column, “Week End Catechism” Ojike interacted weekly amongst the many inquiring, soul-searching Nigerians exploring the problems too dilemmas of a companionship inward the twilight of colonialism. His vision was ever clear too consistent, his advice robust too practical.
As a political activist Ojike brought his vision, flair too mutual feel into the politics of independence. One of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s most influential lieutenants, he worked difficult behind the scenes, defining too refining concepts, preparing seat papers, manifestoes, slogans. A supreme publicist, he galvanized political rallies amongst his slogans too 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 upwards 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 3 regions, a solution which they foresaw would atomic number 82 to destabilizing ethnic hegemonic too separatist activeness too reaction. (Coleman, 1956; Okafor 1981) Eighteen years after (in 1967) the 3 regional structures collapsed. Ojike also stood work solid against the ideas of a theater of chiefs too an Electoral College system, both of which remove hold since been discarded.
Another celebrated facet of Ojike’s contributions to world life was his originality, courage, difficult piece of work too dedication equally a Minister. Two meaning instances of political courage may endure cited: his contribution to a feasible solution of the struggle betwixt Onitsha indigenes too non-indigenes for the political command of the Onitsha Urban Council, too his bold introduction of the PAYE scheme of taxation. Both initiatives were at obvious too considerable chance to Ojike’s political career.
Ojike was a Minister amongst a difference. Thus, to refer but 1 instance, it is on tape that equally Minister of industrial plant on tour of projects he oft assigned his luxurious official automobile to his officials to assist amongst basic shipping needs patch he visited locations on human foot or force bike. H5N1 fellow member of the Eastern House of Assembly paid him this tribute equally published inward the official Proceedings. “He went to the villages, educating too mingling amongst the miserable natives. In fact inward … Division he is non known equally the “Boycott King” equally he is ordinarily known; he is known equally the Minister of Water … in fact he is a piece of work 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 inward the East the results of which nosotros are nonetheless enjoying today.
The presentation of Ojike’s showtime budget equally Minister of Finance earned him this unstinting praise from the Leader of the Opposition, Professor Eyo Ita: “I think nosotros ought to endure proud to run into that an African minister, only come upwards to office, is able to remove hold the whole span of the Region’s economical field, too bargain amongst it inward the agency 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 recollect that nosotros should non solely compare ourselves amongst people of other races but nosotros should compare ourselves amongst ourselves – inward other words, what nosotros tin achieve.” Another eminent opposition member, MD Okoi Arikpo, had this to say “ I was really 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 smoothen too effective take-off of the African Continental Bank the showtime indigenous banking concern inward Nigeria, too 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 inward his insistence on national mental emancipation, inward his propagation of national self-awareness too pride, too inward his assiduous advertisement of a self-reliant strategy of national development. He encapsulated his message inward the famous slogan: “Boycott all Boycottables”, which earned him the championship of “The Boycott King”.
As Professor Frank Ndili, old Vice-Chancellor of this slap-up academy stated inward his preface to the showtime majority inward honour of Ojike published past times the Institute for Development Studies, the Boycott philosophy “epitomizes belief inward one’s ain abilities. Nigeria today imports prepare made goods, “psychological foods”, fifty-fifty models, patterns of organizations too institutions from the developed countries, thereby subjecting the national economic scheme too companionship to all agency of international upheavals that our introduce aeroplane of socio-economic evolution cannot sustain., Nigeria tin do without a issue of these imported goods too values too shift efforts towards the optimal utilization of her inert capabilities.” That tilt was made 26 years ago. Today in that location is a lot of talk, a lot of theorizing, a lot of evangelism nearly globalization. And Nigeria has publicly bought into the agenda. But the fact remains that unless nosotros know ourselves, remove hold skilful cognizance of our resources too strengths, too contribute them confidently too productively to the global partnership, whether it endure inward the sphere of ideas or inward the sphere of materials, nosotros shall remain, equally now, the underdogs inward the global struggle, incurring to a greater extent than than our fair part of the costs too earning less than our fair part of the benefits..
The 2nd human face of Ojike’s message which I would similar to highlight today is reflected inward his thoughts on education. Student, activist, politico or businessman, Mbonu Ojike was a instructor all his life, retaining an abiding involvement inward education. This Hall of Residence memorialises that interest. In an before endeavour nosotros at the Institute for Development Studies organized inward 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 remove hold taken the freedom of reproducing the excerpts for this presentation. You volition uncovering how many of our introduce twenty-four lx minutes catamenia concerns were anticipated too dealt amongst past times Mbonu Ojike fifty-five or to a greater extent than years ago.
Thus inward 1949 he argued the illustration for free, compulsory, amongst authorities edifice its ain schools too encouraging all others interested inward educational ventures. On content, he urged that “the entire teaching code endure revised too recast to give our youth existent too dynamic teaching for production And creativity. He was for rejecting unusual certificates inward secondary teaching – Cmbridge School Certificate too London Matriculation too all that, inward favour of developing our ain standardised certificates based on relevant teaching of a character worthy of honour at dwelling theater too abroad..
On higher education, he argued: We do non larn for the sake of learning, but to do some service amongst it to ourselves too country. For him, “the duty which a academy owes to a province is three-fold:
to uncovering too educate a large issue of intellectual elites, drawn from a broad circle of the land without discrimination.
to keep for the communityits ain God-given criterion or culture, that is, a canon of sense of savor of beauty, of truth too juastice
to advance scientific discipline too philosophy past times promoting research, originality, rationality too inventiveness.
He also argues that a University without nationalism is a mere waste product of time.
On the theme of culture, religion and civilization, he had this to say (again this was inward 1949); Africa too Europe existed before the nascency of Christ. Yet inward that the world epoch Europe did non dominion Africa, neither was Europe moiré industrialized than Africa. The current of civilization inward its philosophical too stuff aspects did 1 time flow from Africa to Europe fifty-fifty equally it did flow from Europe to America ii hundred years ago” And he added, prophetically, “Today Europe is declining, America is ascending, fifty-fifty equally Europe was before too Africa was before Europe. Asia is rising though without the menacing factors of imperialism. Africa is coming dorsum to its old glory. It volition inward due class remove hold over. Sadly’ Africa has therefore 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 too effort. As he said: “Change is an imperative constabulary of nature. Its source is mental attitude to life inward all its ramifications too non geography. th pride too morality the leadership of rthe world.”.
Ojike had a vision for our country: “When I run into inward our country, shops, factories, banks, universities, societies too clubs maintaining proud comparing amongst what they are inward other countries, therefore if I am asked to remove hold a bow for contributing my tiny chip towards that reality of economical stability too national identity, I shall non hesitate to do therefore amongst humility too gratitude.” Tragically, he did non alive to remove hold that bow. But his message lives, too I promise that you, his spiritual children of Mbonu Ojike Hall, too indeed all of us, volition alive too piece of work to remove hold it for him.
Today the statue of Mbonu Ojike stands equally a visual reminder of his legacy too message. Look to it too remember. To encapsulate his message: in that location is piece of work to endure done, the piece of work of edifice a prosperous, confident too self-reliant nation, too 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 too the "Boycott King" of Nigeria.
He was an Igbo human being whose political stature comes tertiary after swain ndi-Igbos Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe too Dr Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe. Ojike was also a renowned pupil organizer too leader, a paper columnist (journalist) too a fire-brand politico was inward the aeroplane of giant Nigerian political heavyweights similar Chief H.O. Davies, MD Michael Okpara, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Chief Bode Thomas, Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, Alhaji Mohammadu Ribadu too Alhaji Zana Rima Dipcharima.
As a pan-Africanist, Mazi Ojike practiced what he preached past times adopting native names, clothes, food, too ways of life. Ironically, he toured the towns too villages amongst his message of cultural nationalism inward cars imported from abroad. He wore traditional clothing to business office too served palm wine, instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions too parties. He replaced his adapt amongst agbada or jumper too encouraged civil servants to look inward business office inward native attire.
Mazi Ojike was a staunch critic of imperialism too lose no chance to onslaught colonialism too its outcome on Africans. In the recent 2013 majority entitled "The Igbo Intellectual Tradition: Creative Conflict inward African too African Diasporic Thought," edited past times Gloria Chuku, the writer averred that "Ojike’s uncompromising rejection of alien culture, especially European civilization too colonial domination, too his anti-European imperialist motion earned him the championship of “The King of Boycottables.” Yet Ojike was a beneficiary of European civilization too fifty-fifty campaigned for the retentiveness of some aspects of that civilization inward Africa. This type of contradictions, equally good equally controversies too “scandals” surrounding Ojike’s scholarship, political career too activism are also examined."
US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, sponsor too 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 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 too encouraged past times Dr Nnamdi "Zik" Azikiwe to canvass to USA "in search of the Golden Fleece" inward Dec 1938. The grouping includes Dr K. O. Mbadiwe aka Man of Timber too Calibre, Otuka Okala, Dr Nnodu Okongwu, Engr. Nwanko Chukwuemeka, Dr Okechukwu Ikejiani, MD Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu too George Igbodebe Mbadiwe. Dr Mbadiwe ever referred to this grouping equally "Seven Argonauts." It is said that equally presently equally Ojike landed inward US, he joined pupil politics too it did non remove hold him much fourth dimension to win election equally the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts too Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of 50 nations met inward San Francisco for the conference known officially equally the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location equally 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 too dignity of their roots. Ojike’s activism inward the USA was non confined to associations, conferences too rallies.
In his curt sojourn of 3 years too inward his capacity equally a prolific writer he published 3 books: Portrait of a Boy inward Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) too I remove hold Two Countries (1947). In the showtime ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity too integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inward his tertiary majority when inward recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to depict illuminating comparisons amongst life inward Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries too to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our the world has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men too women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Ojike, truly became famous during the struggle for independence through his weekly paper column, ‘Weekend Catechism’ inward 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 civilisation was some other shape of enslavement. Thus, the slap-up nationalist taught Nigerians to turn down or avoid “foreign things” or “imported things”, contending that, inward the procedure of identifying amongst or embracing the civilisation of the colonial masters, the pride of the colonised community is farther injured. Ojike was the General managing director of the West African pilot.
He “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inward really curt monastic tell to a seat of high prominence inward National Council of Nigeria too 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 too Eastern Regional Minister of Finance.
Mazi Ojike was both a fan too foe of the old Premier of Eastern Region, MD Nnamidi Azikiwe. As Finance Minister nether Zik, he roughshod out amongst his leader.
Ojike died at the historic catamenia of 44 inward an auto crash. Many Nigerians believed that he left without realising his total potentials.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, sponsor too 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 too Research, which is presenting the festival, too Mazi Mbonu Ojike who came from the University of Chicago representin the African students. Image: Bettmann Collection
Mbonu Ojike was born into the polygynous seat unit of measurement of Ojike too Mgbeke Emeanulu unopen to 1912 inward Ndiakeme hamlet of Arondizuogu inward eastern Nigeria at a catamenia when Igbo civilisation too companionship came nether intense European violet assault.
Ojike’s childhood saw atmospheric condition of slap-up devastation, insecurity, doubtfulness too anxiety occasioned past times the confluence of events, that included British subjugation of the Igbo, the outbreak of WWI too 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 inward his life an independent hear too strength of character.
By his ain work concern human relationship he decided to acquire to schoolhouse inward spite of his father, a prosperous Aro trader who would remove hold preferred his sons to serve their apprenticeship on the route amongst him. Leaving primary schoolhouse at an unusually early on historic catamenia Ojike became a pupil instructor who ‘taught uncomplicated subjects past times twenty-four lx minutes catamenia too studied secondary lessons past times night’. "When he graduated from uncomplicated school, he broke amongst local tradition past times refusing to marry. he persisted inward 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 too a University of London Diploma. The showtime signs of his political awareness appeared at this fourth dimension when he led his swain younger teachers on a strike to terminate discriminatory treatment. With the advent of Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik) on the Nationalist scene, Ojike promptly enlisted inward the struggle past times joining the Zik’s grouping of Newspapers.
Still searching for noesis Ojike became 1 of the groups of Nigerian; ‘Argonauts’ who, inspired past times Zik left for the USA of America where he enrolled equally a pupil of the Lincoln University. He after studied at Ohio too Chicago universities, obtaining B.A. too M.A. from Chicago University.
Not unexpectedly, Ojike joined pupil politics equally presently equally he landed inward the United States. It did non remove hold him much fourth dimension to win election equally the President of the African Students Union of Lincoln University. He also became the General Secretary of the African Academy of Arts too Research founded past times Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe (K.O.) On Apr 25, 1945, when delegates of 50 nations met inward San Francisco for the conference known officially equally the UN Conference on International Organization, Ojike was in that location equally 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 too dignity of their roots.
Ojike’s activism inward the USA was non confined to associations, conferences too rallies. In his curt sojourn of 3 years he published 3 books: Portrait of a Boy inward Africa (1945), My Africa (1946) too I remove hold Two Countries (1947). In the showtime ii books he vividly portrayed for his unusual audience the identity too integrity of African culture. His penetrating analysis was farther pointed inward his tertiary majority when inward recording his American experience Ojike probed beneath the glitter of the American dream to depict illuminating comparisons amongst life inward Africa. But his determination was neither parochial, nor romantic nor complacent. The message was to both his countries too to all humanity: “I am non proud of what our the world has been nor of what it is; I am proud to bring together men too women of goodwill to create our civilization what it ought to be”
Mazi Mbonu Ojike returned to Nigeria inward 1947 too “plunged into the mainstream of militant nationalism” rising inward really curt monastic tell to a seat of high prominence inward 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 inward 1959. In 8 brief years of world life he did to a greater extent than than whatever other Nigerian, before or since, to heighten world consciousness of our identity too pride equally Africans or Nigerians, to counteract the rampant civilisation of disparagement, to assert too betoken the agency to practical self-confident, self-reliance; self reliance inward ideas, inward demeanour too inward action.
In his spare too incisive prose Ojike cutting opened upwards too examined the cant, sophistry too pretensions of the colonial province too church.
His greatest touching on was psychological too intellectual. He gave dorsum to the Nigerian pride inward himself equally a human being, inward his civilisation equally a living functional whole.
He coined the straight off famous phrase “Boycott the Boycottables”, which earned him the championship the “Boycott King”. He led past times example, consistently wearing traditional clothing to business office too serving palm vino instead of whisky, champagne or beer at his official receptions too parties. Under the withering scorn of Ojike’s pen the southern politico abandoned his three-piece adapt for the Agbada or jumper. The civil service itself capitulated, conceding the correct of its staff to come upwards to piece of work inward appropriate ‘native’ attire.
In his West African Pilot Sat column, “Week End Catechism” Ojike interacted weekly amongst the many inquiring, soul-searching Nigerians exploring the problems too dilemmas of a companionship inward the twilight of colonialism. His vision was ever clear too consistent, his advice robust too practical.
As a political activist Ojike brought his vision, flair too mutual feel into the politics of independence. One of Nnamdi Azikiwe’s most influential lieutenants, he worked difficult behind the scenes, defining too refining concepts, preparing seat papers, manifestoes, slogans. A supreme publicist, he galvanized political rallies amongst his slogans too 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 upwards 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 3 regions, a solution which they foresaw would atomic number 82 to destabilizing ethnic hegemonic too separatist activeness too reaction. (Coleman, 1956; Okafor 1981) Eighteen years after (in 1967) the 3 regional structures collapsed. Ojike also stood work solid against the ideas of a theater of chiefs too an Electoral College system, both of which remove hold since been discarded.
Another celebrated facet of Ojike’s contributions to world life was his originality, courage, difficult piece of work too dedication equally a Minister. Two meaning instances of political courage may endure cited: his contribution to a feasible solution of the struggle betwixt Onitsha indigenes too non-indigenes for the political command of the Onitsha Urban Council, too his bold introduction of the PAYE scheme of taxation. Both initiatives were at obvious too considerable chance to Ojike’s political career.
Ojike was a Minister amongst a difference. Thus, to refer but 1 instance, it is on tape that equally Minister of industrial plant on tour of projects he oft assigned his luxurious official automobile to his officials to assist amongst basic shipping needs patch he visited locations on human foot or force bike. H5N1 fellow member of the Eastern House of Assembly paid him this tribute equally published inward the official Proceedings. “He went to the villages, educating too mingling amongst the miserable natives. In fact inward … Division he is non known equally the “Boycott King” equally he is ordinarily known; he is known equally the Minister of Water … in fact he is a piece of work 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 inward the East the results of which nosotros are nonetheless enjoying today.
The presentation of Ojike’s showtime budget equally Minister of Finance earned him this unstinting praise from the Leader of the Opposition, Professor Eyo Ita: “I think nosotros ought to endure proud to run into that an African minister, only come upwards to office, is able to remove hold the whole span of the Region’s economical field, too bargain amongst it inward the agency 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 recollect that nosotros should non solely compare ourselves amongst people of other races but nosotros should compare ourselves amongst ourselves – inward other words, what nosotros tin achieve.” Another eminent opposition member, MD Okoi Arikpo, had this to say “ I was really 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 smoothen too effective take-off of the African Continental Bank the showtime indigenous banking concern inward Nigeria, too 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 inward his insistence on national mental emancipation, inward his propagation of national self-awareness too pride, too inward his assiduous advertisement of a self-reliant strategy of national development. He encapsulated his message inward the famous slogan: “Boycott all Boycottables”, which earned him the championship of “The Boycott King”.
As Professor Frank Ndili, old Vice-Chancellor of this slap-up academy stated inward his preface to the showtime majority inward honour of Ojike published past times the Institute for Development Studies, the Boycott philosophy “epitomizes belief inward one’s ain abilities. Nigeria today imports prepare made goods, “psychological foods”, fifty-fifty models, patterns of organizations too institutions from the developed countries, thereby subjecting the national economic scheme too companionship to all agency of international upheavals that our introduce aeroplane of socio-economic evolution cannot sustain., Nigeria tin do without a issue of these imported goods too values too shift efforts towards the optimal utilization of her inert capabilities.” That tilt was made 26 years ago. Today in that location is a lot of talk, a lot of theorizing, a lot of evangelism nearly globalization. And Nigeria has publicly bought into the agenda. But the fact remains that unless nosotros know ourselves, remove hold skilful cognizance of our resources too strengths, too contribute them confidently too productively to the global partnership, whether it endure inward the sphere of ideas or inward the sphere of materials, nosotros shall remain, equally now, the underdogs inward the global struggle, incurring to a greater extent than than our fair part of the costs too earning less than our fair part of the benefits..
The 2nd human face of Ojike’s message which I would similar to highlight today is reflected inward his thoughts on education. Student, activist, politico or businessman, Mbonu Ojike was a instructor all his life, retaining an abiding involvement inward education. This Hall of Residence memorialises that interest. In an before endeavour nosotros at the Institute for Development Studies organized inward 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 remove hold taken the freedom of reproducing the excerpts for this presentation. You volition uncovering how many of our introduce twenty-four lx minutes catamenia concerns were anticipated too dealt amongst past times Mbonu Ojike fifty-five or to a greater extent than years ago.
Thus inward 1949 he argued the illustration for free, compulsory, amongst authorities edifice its ain schools too encouraging all others interested inward educational ventures. On content, he urged that “the entire teaching code endure revised too recast to give our youth existent too dynamic teaching for production And creativity. He was for rejecting unusual certificates inward secondary teaching – Cmbridge School Certificate too London Matriculation too all that, inward favour of developing our ain standardised certificates based on relevant teaching of a character worthy of honour at dwelling theater too abroad..
On higher education, he argued: We do non larn for the sake of learning, but to do some service amongst it to ourselves too country. For him, “the duty which a academy owes to a province is three-fold:
to uncovering too educate a large issue of intellectual elites, drawn from a broad circle of the land without discrimination.
to keep for the communityits ain God-given criterion or culture, that is, a canon of sense of savor of beauty, of truth too juastice
to advance scientific discipline too philosophy past times promoting research, originality, rationality too inventiveness.
He also argues that a University without nationalism is a mere waste product of time.
On the theme of culture, religion and civilization, he had this to say (again this was inward 1949); Africa too Europe existed before the nascency of Christ. Yet inward that the world epoch Europe did non dominion Africa, neither was Europe moiré industrialized than Africa. The current of civilization inward its philosophical too stuff aspects did 1 time flow from Africa to Europe fifty-fifty equally it did flow from Europe to America ii hundred years ago” And he added, prophetically, “Today Europe is declining, America is ascending, fifty-fifty equally Europe was before too Africa was before Europe. Asia is rising though without the menacing factors of imperialism. Africa is coming dorsum to its old glory. It volition inward due class remove hold over. Sadly’ Africa has therefore 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 too effort. As he said: “Change is an imperative constabulary of nature. Its source is mental attitude to life inward all its ramifications too non geography. th pride too morality the leadership of rthe world.”.
Ojike had a vision for our country: “When I run into inward our country, shops, factories, banks, universities, societies too clubs maintaining proud comparing amongst what they are inward other countries, therefore if I am asked to remove hold a bow for contributing my tiny chip towards that reality of economical stability too national identity, I shall non hesitate to do therefore amongst humility too gratitude.” Tragically, he did non alive to remove hold that bow. But his message lives, too I promise that you, his spiritual children of Mbonu Ojike Hall, too indeed all of us, volition alive too piece of work to remove hold it for him.
Today the statue of Mbonu Ojike stands equally a visual reminder of his legacy too message. Look to it too remember. To encapsulate his message: in that location is piece of work to endure done, the piece of work of edifice a prosperous, confident too self-reliant nation, too 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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