By Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the government of the federation, SGF, Senator George Akume have been urged to honour late nationalist and monarch of Enugwi-Ukwu in Anambra state, Igwe Osita Agwuna
The late nationalist was imprisoned in October 27,1948, for delivering a lecture calling for freedom from the exploitative colonial rule
He served for three years in prison and died in 2007 after many years as the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka local government area of the state
In the letter, signed by one of the Igbo leaders, Oba Arc D Donald Nwandu, the former Regent of the community, and made available to The Razor, was entitled, “RECOMMENDATION OF LATE IGWE OSITA AGWUNA. EZE ENUGWU-UKWU NA IGWE UMUNRI FOR POST HUMOUS NATIONAL AWARD”.
“I recall that a number of organizations, newspaper columnists, nationalists and other eminent patriotic Nigerians have called the Federal Government’s attention to the omission of this great nationalist in the National Honours Awards List, all to no avail.
” I once again consider it very necessary to call the Federal Government’s attention to this continued disregard of the significant and worthy contributions of this great nationalist to the struggle for Nigerian Independence from Colonial Rule.
Every history and record of the struggle for Nigerian Independence must include the lecture and imprisonment of Osita Agwuna and few others during the period.
“He delivered the lecture titled Call for Revolution at Tom Jones Memorial Hall Lagos on October, 27th 1948 during which he called for civil disobedience, strikes and boycotts to free Nigerians from and exploitative colonial rule.
” Three days after the lecture, Osita Agwuna was charged with sedition, convicted and sent to prison. He served for three years and six months in prison for committing no crime but requesting freedom for his people.
“I therefore once again humbly request the Federal Government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to correct this error of long standing as it is better late than never.
” A National Honour Award and naming of a national monument after this great patriot will be very appropriate. As contained in an assurance in our National Anthem; The labours of our past heroes shall never be in vain” the Igbo leader wrote
