2 weeks ago
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The household of the precocious Herbert Macaulay has commended President Bola Tinubu for granting the precocious person a authorities pardon. However, they said that helium deserved much nationalist honour s and designation than the pardon due to the fact that of his contributions to nationalist unity and attaining independency successful Nigeria.
Briefing the property connected behalf of the family, connected Thursday successful Lagos, erstwhile lawman nationalist president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, flanked by Erelu Adeola Macaulay, Mr Lanre Oshodi, Ms Mayokun Thomas, Miss Kofoworola Macaulay, Miss Adeyinka Macaulay, Mr Ayo Ogunlana and Miss Turi Akerele, said Macaulay’s publication to nationalist unity cannot beryllium overlooked.
Chief George said that portion they appreciated that helium was granted a authorities pardon, they were not blessed that his pardon was lumped with radical of shady characters similar cause barons and murderers, insisting that helium should person been singled retired for designation and honour.
He noted that Macaulay was harassed and humiliated by the British due to the fact that helium stood up against them and championed the origin of Nigerians, insisting that Nigerians were mature capable to regularisation themselves.
“Herbert Macaulay understood thing cardinal — that governmental state is meaningless without societal justice. He spoke up for the moving class, the marketplace women, the artisans, and the dispossessed.
“He was the span betwixt the educated elite and the mean Nigerian. He believed that enactment indispensable not beryllium astir privilege, but astir purpose. In his time, helium took risks — helium was imprisoned doubly by the assemblage government, yet helium ne'er wavered.
“He transformed authorities from the parlour rooms of assemblage officials into the streets and markets of Lagos Island. He made authorities a people’s affair. And for that, helium earned the rubric that endures to this time — the Father of Nigerian Nationalism.”
Chief George said a amended mode to honour Macaulay was to rebuild his house, which the British authorities demolished, and physique the General Post Office successful his stead. He insisted that it would service arsenic a nationalist monument.
“Herbert Macaulay’s bequest is not confined to past books oregon monuments. His ideas stay live successful each statement astir governance, equity, and nationalist individuality successful Nigeria today,” helium said.
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