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Obafemi Awolowo

25 quotes

“Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no 'Nigerians' in the same sense as there are 'English,' 'Welsh,' or 'French'. The word 'Nigerian' is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) first seen 1947 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947), as quoted by , The State of Africa: A History of the Continent Since Independence (2011).
“If the Eastern Region is allowed by acts of omission or commission to secede from or opt out of Nigeria, then the Western Region and Lagos must also stay out of the Federation.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) first seen 1967 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Chief Awolowo's Speech to Western leaders of thought In Ibadan, May 1 1967, as quoted by , (1967).
“After rain comes sunshine and after darkness comes the glorious dawn. There is no sorrow without its alloy of joy, there is no joy without its admixture of sorrow. Behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity, so tear the mask.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’ve tried to explain myself in the past, but these liars persist. Ojukwu had only recently told the same lie against me. What’s the point in correcting lies when people are determined to persist in telling lies against you? What’s the point? I know that someday the Ibos, the masses of the Ibo people will realize who their friends are, and who their real enemies are. And the day that happens woe betide those enemies. The Ibos will deal with them very roughly, very roughly.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When I look back, I come to the conclusion that all these abuses which have been heaped on me all my life for doing nothing, for doing good, they have become honor, and so Eebudola is one of my nicknames. So I’ve cultivated an attitude of indifference, I’ve done no evil to the Ibos.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think it is an extremely useful experience that a young person be made to do for himself certain mental and domestic jobs which though distasteful, other people are nevertheless being called upon to do from time to time. (Page 65)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Now the world is like a mighty jar, and all of us in it, in our different theatre of operation, are like beans with varying sizes and weights… Getting to the top is one thing and remaining there is another. To maintain your place at the top, you must make sure that you do not at any time shrink in size or lose in weight. (Page 72)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I owe my success in life to three factors: the Grace of God, Spartan self-discipline, and a good wife. (Page 111)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I solemnly vow to the God of my Heart that wherever the fight is thickest and fiercest in the cause of truth, principle, justice and right, there I will always be. (Page 154)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The yearning of independence is a natural instinct embedded in the breast of man by Nature. (Page 199)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We must never lose sight of the fact the attainment of independence is not an end in itself. It is a noble means to a great end. (Page 200)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Indeed, an educated and healthy individual is, in my opinion, the strongest single factor in the economic and social advancement of any nation. (Page 271)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There can be no alternative to a democratic way of life if the aim of the government is the physical, mental and spiritual welfare of the people. (Page 273)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is the readiness and the yearnings and aspirations of the people that will determine the calibre and character of the people that will determine the calibre of those who rule them”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul. (Page 300)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We must read history books, and do more than merely read them: we must learn, mark and inwardly digest what we have read. (Page 306)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Any government that does not enjoy the goodwill of the people should resign: it must not utilise the people’s money for both their enslavement and starvation. (Page 310)”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) first seen 1963 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking to Justice George Sowemimo at the Treasonable Felony trial of 1963 in Lagos.
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) first seen 1983 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At an interview with LTV 8 in December 1983 shortly after the Presidential Elections of that year.
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) first seen 1986 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Declining invitation to Prof. Samuel Cookey Political Bureau inaugurated in 1986 by Babangida to fashion out a “New Political Order” for Nigeria.
“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.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking to journalists at State House Dodan Barracks Lagos, after he visited President Ibrahim Babangida in March 1987, just after his birthday
“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 sometime 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 common place- comes the glorious dawn.”
Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987) said by 1987 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source