Benin City will be agog this Saturday, 13th December 2024, with the eagerly awaited book launch in honor of Chief Anthony Eronmosele Enahoro, OFR, the Adolor of Onewa and Adolor of Uromi.
Born on 22nd July 1923 to the family of the late Okotako, a Customary Court Judge, and the late Princess Okogie, both of Uromi in Esan, Chief Enahoro was a pro-democracy activist, a staunch anti-colonial advocate, and an outstanding crusader. He gained acclaim as the youngest and most reputable editor of a major Nigerian newspaper at the age of 19.
He is eulogized as the last surviving pro-independence struggler of his generation. An astute parliamentarian in the Action Group (AG), Chief Enahoro moved a historic motion in 1953 in the Federal House of Representatives, calling for self-governance. He argued passionately for Nigeria to unchain itself from the shackles of colonialism and achieve sustainable independence by 1956.
When the independence he fought for quickly eroded and degenerated into an autocratic military junta, he collaborated with like-minded individuals to form the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) and championed anti-military protests. Threatened with unconstitutional incarceration, he went into exile in the UK.
Chief Enahoro returned to Nigeria in 2000 to contribute to the restoration of civilian rule. Undeterred by detractors, he continued to advocate for democratic gains. In 2006, he pioneered the People’s National Conference (PNC), a platform for agitating for reforms.
A staunch advocate for a return to the parliamentary system of governance, he criticized the ineffective and expensive American-style presidential system, which he argued burdens the nation with unsustainable borrowing policies and corrupts the centralized federal experiment. Chief Enahoro believed Nigeria would be better served as an autonomous confederation with less absolute power concentrated at the center.
Chief Enahoro also organized protests against the British government’s decision to involve Nigeria in the Second World War. His nationalist stance resonated deeply, and the Esan people, through the Ojuromi of Uromi, honored him with multiple chieftaincy titles, including the Adolor of Onewa and Adolor of Uromi.
Historically, Chief Enahoro’s name is entrenched in British law under the Fugitive Offenders Act, which provides guidance on matters of exile. In Edo State, the House of Assembly complex is named after him as the Chief Anthony Enahoro Complex, a testament to his enduring legacy.
Apart from his role as a parliamentarian, Chief Enahoro was conferred with numerous honors, including Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR). He served as a member of the Western House of Assembly, Minister of Home Affairs for the Western Region, Federal Minister of Information, and Minister of Special Duties.
Chief Anthony Eronmosele Enahoro proudly identified with his Edo roots, and this book launch is a fitting tribute to his remarkable legacy. Let the Edo people show pride and support for this memorial book launch celebrating an icon of leadership