Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo – he spoke prophetically while on this side of the divide
Knowledge Dropbox
See below four (4) powerful prophetic statements of Chief Obafemi Awolowo that came pass.
- *To Justice George Sowemimo at the Treasonable Felony trial of 1963 in Lagos*
“Blessed be your verdict: and I say in advance, blessed be the verdict your Lordship may pass on me. I personally welcome any sentence you may impose upon me. At this moment, my only concern is not for myself, but that my imprisonment might do harm to Nigeria for three reasons, Firstly, the individual services which I have hitherto rendered, and which I can still render will be lost to the country- at least for a season.
Secondly, there might be a heightening, of the present tension that has lasted 15months, and has done incalculable injuries to the economy of this country.
Thirdly, for some time to come, the present twilight of democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law will or might change into utter darkness. But after darkness, and this is commonplace- comes the glorious dawn.
It is therefore, with a brave heart, with confident hope and with faith in my unalterable destiny that I go from this twilight into the darkness, unshakeable in my trust in the providence of God that a glorious dawn will come on the morrow.
My adversaries might say who am I to think that if I am imprisoned the country might suffer? What if I died? The point of course, is that I am still alive and I will not die in prison.
Furthermore, the spirit of man knows no barrier, never dies and can be projected to any part of the world. This being so I am confident that the ideals of social justice and individual liberty which I hold dear will continue to be projected beyond the prison walls and bars until they are realized in our lifetime”
*NOTE: As soon as he went into prison, the CRISES actually increased, Operation ” WETIE ” happened, 15 January mutiny followed, SL Akintola, Ahmadu Bello and Awolowo’s many other adversaries were all killed, the Nation plunged into serious darkness, but as soon as he came out, the glorious dawn of OIL BOOM kicked in and PROSPERITY filled the whole land!!!*
- *At an interview with LTV 8 in December 1983 shortly after the Presidential Elections of that year*
“The man who stole the precious rings, if he doesn’t drop it voluntarily, it will soon be taken from him”
” A time will come when the misery of the [Yoruba] People will become unbearable, they will then rise by themselves to demand a redirection of their destinies”.
*NOTE: That Government of President Shehu Shagari was toppled shortly, a few days after that interview*
- *To Prof. Samuel Cookey Political Bureau inaugurated in 1986 by Babangida to fashion out a “New Political Order” for Nigeria*
“Dear Sir,
I received your letter of February 28, 1986, and sincerely thank you for doing me the honour of inviting me to contribute to the National Political Debate.
The purpose of the debate is to clarify our thoughts in our search for a new social order.
It is therefore neat and proper that all those who have something to contribute should do so.
I do fervently and will continue fervently to pray that I may be proved wrong. For something within me tells me, loud and clear, that we have embarked on a fruitless search.
At the end of the day, when we imagine that the new order is here, we would be terribly disappointed.
In other words, at the threshold of our New Social Order, we would see for ourselves that, as long as Nigerians remain what they are, nothing clean, principled, ethical, and idealistic can work with them.
And Nigerians will remain what they are, unless the evils which now dominate their hearts, at all levels and in all sectors of our political, business and governmental activities are exorcised.
But I venture to assert that they will not be exorcised, and indeed they will be firmly entrenched, unless God Himself imbues a vast majority of us with a revolutionary change of attitude to life and politics or, unless the dialetic processes which have been at work for some twenty years now, perforce, make us perceive the abominable filth that abounds in our society, to the end that an inexorable abhorrence of it will be quickened in our hearts and impel us to make drastic changes for the better.
There is, of course, an alternative option open to us. To succumb to permanent social instability and chaos.
In the premises, I beg to decline your invitation.
I am yours truly,
Obafemi Awolowo”
*NOTE: Babangida’s political program crashed fatally just as predicted by Awolowo, June 12 crisis started, there was Shonekan Interim Government, Abacha took and started targeting the SW leaders *
- *To journalists at State House Dodan Barracks Lagos, after his visit to President Ibrahim Babangida in March 1987 just after his birthday*
” What I am celebrating is not my birthday but my transition to the world beyond. The fact that I am celebrating it must mean that the world beyond is a good place to be”
*NOTE: Chief Obafemi Awolowo died on 9th May of that same year, a few weeks after he made that statement*
That was a Man!