By Ori Martins
In about a week’s time, precisely on November 16, it will be another posthumous birthday anniversary of one man whose record and career were studed with firsts. Yes, Zik of Africa and Nigeria’s greatest political evangelist. Zik was born in 1904, just 10 years before the forced marriage called amalgamation. He died in 1996.
To celebrate this epoch, I shall be doing a journalistic excusion to serve us memorial about Zik’s odysy – of course, It cannot be exhaustive.
For instance, why did Zik not emerge the prime minister after the December 12 parliamentary election which his party won majority of votes?
Why did Zik align with Balewa’s NPC rather than Awo’s AG?
Was he privy to the January 15, 1966 coup and then ran away on false excuse of medical treatment overseas?
What was his involment in Ojukwu’s Biafra?
Did Okadigbo really described Zik’s submission as the ranting of an ant?
Why do Igbo youths of today prefer Ojukwu to Zik?
Was it true Zik never did anything for Ndigbo?
Are you aware that Ojukwu’s father was Zik’s benefactor and that he nursed the great Ikemba?
Let us cebrate Zik, the legendary Zik. He was our own Washington, indeed our own version of Churchill. The pathfinder, the politician, statesman, poet, orator, author, journalist, sportsman and showman.
I regard Obasanjo’s lines of Zik went down from Zik of Africa, to Zik of Igbo land and finally to Owelle of Onitsha as the dirtiest regard ever on that icon of Africa. In 1979, Zik released a guide he entitled Ideology for Nigeria: Capitalism, Socialism or Welfarism (page 174). He said ” I will not score an offside goal.,I will not hit below the belt., I will not beat the gun in order to become the executive predident of Nigeria”. The above I regard as his most inspiring quote on Nigeria politics. Remember, Jonathan who was politically crucified for attempting to right the wrongs against the Igbo and who also was nicknamed Azikiwe toed this line in 2015.
Happy birthday Zik. Continue to rest in peace.