CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
The present political regime has learnt a lot from its predecessors, the legacies of the heroes of the past speak for them in today political system of Nigeria.
Among all the greatest leaders in Nigeria with their legacies respectively, the legacies of Chief Obafemi awolowo tend to be the most discussed and most noticed In Nigeria.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo had his primary school education at very early stage at St. Saviour’s School, Ikenne, he also attended Imo Wesleyan School, Abeokuta. His education was interrupted at a very early stage for several years by the sudden death of his father in April 1920, an ugly incidence that left him without financial assistance; this compelled him to fetch firewood for sale, and do similar jobs, to support his schooling. He had his higher education at Wesley College, Ibada in 1927, and finally attended the University of London as an External Student. He obtained the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) and then Bachelor of Laws by the same University in London. He was then called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple on November 19, 1946.
On 26th December, 1937 Chief Obafemi Awolowo got married to Miss Hannah Idowu Dideolu Adelana. They remained each other’s best friend to the end; they both fought for the cause of justice and for the release of their fellow man’s mind from ignorance, illiteracy and the freedom on his body from disease. Obafemi Awolowo and wife had 5 children: although Olusegun, Omotola, Oluwole, Ayodele and Tokunbo Awolowo, although Olusegun pass on in 1963(1939-1963).
The true legacies of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo started when he came back home from Britain, Awolowo formed the cultural group known as “Egbe Omo Oduduwa” in 1949 and it is regard as a political party, the Action Group, (AG), in 1951 also known as Egbe Afenifere in Western part of Nigeria as part of the Social Programme for the complete emancipation of Yoruba race. Action group party won the first elections ever conducted in Western Nigeria. As a result of the victory of the election, the AG formed the first elected government in the Western Region and Obafemi Awolowo, now a Chief, became the Leader of Government Business and Minister for Local Government in 1952. In 1954, Awo (as he had come to be fondly known within his party) became the first Premier of the Western Region. His party won the elections again in May 1956 and Awo retained his position as Premier. He voluntarily gave up that position when, on December 12, 1959, he was elected into the House of Representatives where he became the Leader of Opposition in Nigeria’s central legislature. The study will take a deep view into the legacies left by Chief Obafemi Awolowo during and after his reign in Nigeria.