17th December, 2010
Lawmakers at the Lagos State House of Assembly have urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Pa Anthony Enahoro, foremost Nigerian nationalist.
The lawmakers who expressed shock over his death described him as important to the history of the nation and tasked the federal government to also ensure that the ideals he fought for are upheld.
They however said it was unfortunate that like the late Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe, his dreams for a better Nigeria was never achieved in his lifetime.
Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, described the incident as shocking but added that he took solace in the fact that death was the end of every man’s journey on earth.
For the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Ipoola Omisore and Hon. Saka Fafunmi representing Ifako-Ijaiye constituency, only through immortalisation would the country honour the man they termed a dogged fighter.
However, while Omisore suggested that a major airport be named after him, Fafunmi said it would be better to name a tertiary institution or a democratic institute after him.
Omisore who said Enahoro died at a time when the nation’s political environment was witnessing the success of the progressives, added that the nation cannot honour him enough.
Hon. Fafunmi said Pa Enahoro would be missed by all lovers of good governance.
Describing Enahoro as a hero of democracy, Hon. Fafunmi said though his dreams for the country were not achieved, he had other compatriots like the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who have continued from where he stopped.
For Solomon Olamilekan, Pa Enahoro stood for a Nigeria that should be able to compete in terms of development with any country of the world.
The lawmaker representing Lagos Island Constituency 1, Hon. Olawale Alawiye-King, also described the deceased as a true nationalist, “who sacrificed so much for democracy we all enjoy now.â€
—Eromosele Ebhomele