60 years after the 1st coup: ‘My grandfather paid ultimate price for Nigeria’

Alhaji Abubakar (Billy) Tafawa Balewa is a grandson of the First Prime Minister of Northern Nigeria, Late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. In this interview, the grandson of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, popularly known as Billy, speaks on the moral lessons he learnt from his late grandfather, his feelings towards contributing his quota to the development of Nigeria, and what Nigerian leaders should emulate from the legacies of the late Prime Minister and his contemporaries.

As a grandson of the late Prime Minister of Nigeria, what are you remembering him for 60 years after his death?

Well, I have not met the late PM but I have heard a lot and also as a student of Nigeria’s politics, I think I have read almost all books written on pre and post-Independence. The much I can say about him is that internationally, he’s the voice of moderation, a modest and honest man from a humble background. He has done his best for Nigeria even though as typical as we are, we don’t celebrate him as we do for our regional leaders. That is not surprising given that sixty years after his death we still have people agitating for the breakup of Nigeria. So sad.

What moral lessons would you say you have learnt from the books you read about the post and pre Independence struggle of your grandfather?

Yes, I have learnt a lot from the stories and literature I have read about him pre and post-Independence. You see Tafawa Balewa being a councilor in the Bauchi Native Authority was the first to call for reforms of the traditional institution called Balewa reform. He insisted that the system most conform with due diligence and rule of law. Equally Balewa as a Prime Minister was the only Nigerian leader to have addressed the US Congress, these are no mean feat. He has been in struggle from birth to death May Allah forgive him and also give us the strength to carry on from where he stopped.

Is there anything you have benefitted either state of federal government courtesy of your grandfather’s contributions to the country?

A lot of people especially from southern Nigeria use to tell me that am lucky to be his grandchild but, being lucky am not sure. I think it’s more of a burden than privilege to be a grandson of the late Prime Minister as far as am concerned. I have not benefitted from the Federal or State scholarship talk less of patronage or appointment but, Alhamdulillah no hard feelings.

Do your feelings affect your contributing your own quota in building Nigeria?

On one’s perception about contribution to Nigeria, honestly am skeptical can’t you see the stark difference now? In their time leaders sacrifice their lives for their people. Do you think that Tafawa Balewa, Sardauna and co didn’t know that some people are after their lives? Yet they chose the ultimate price for their people. Today leaders prefer the citizen to lay their lives for them in order for them and their family to live and enjoy life. I cannot understand why insecurity still persist and the total neglect of the rule of law.

Do you hold family meetings and how often?

The late Prime Minister left behind 20 children out of which 14 are still alive and most of the surviving children are not in Bauchi but, we meet once in a while to discuss and organize in case there’s the need. At least we meet once or twice a year either during Sallah festivities or end of year.

What lessons have you learnt from the legacies left behind by your grandfather?

Let me give one story my dad told me about the Prime Minister, my dad happens to be on the late PM’s entourage to Ghana I think on one of their Independence anniversaries and a novelty football match was organised between the Black stars and Green Eagles then. And out of courtesy my dad sat between the two leaders and in his words his most uncomfortable moment. During the match he realised the tension in the stadium and after a while the Ghanaians scored the first goal as a young person then he noticed Ministers after Ministers were coming to shake hand with President Nkruma and also making jest of his father. When the Nigerian team equalized my father jumped from his and shouting the Nigerian players name Thunder Balogun someone he knew from Lagos. After that he couldn’t go back to his seat thinking that he had embarrassed his father, he went and sat with the Nigerian High commissioner. Looking back, he saw the late PM smiling that small gesture seemed to make him happy and, in that moment, he realized both the tension between the countries and most importantly the late PM’s quite way of handling things. Tafawa Balewa was a gentle man.

Considering the supreme sacrifice Tafawa Balewa and his contemporaries paid for the survival of Nigeria, what advice do you have for Nigerian leaders in particular and Nigerians in general?

Hmm, today is something else. Let tell you something I did some years ago. As a student of Nigerian politics, I took it unto myself to find out if ever there was any clash of interest between Tafawa Balewa and Sardauna among the 10-15 of the people who had worked and lived with them no one could give a single incidence only one told me of the goings up down between them on the issue Akintola and the state of emergency in the south west. What do we have today the President fighting his vice or Governors against deputies and this all selfishness. A leader must be ready to lay down his life for his country instead they want the people to die for them and their siblings. From the President to almost all the Governors their children are aspiring for one office or the other. It’s high time leaders and elites make things work before we run out of time and it’s near my brother. I pray this project (Nigeria) succeeds and Nigeria taking the driving seat in Africa and the world.

What do you do for living?

Well, am into politics more as an activist because of barrier to entry. You need lots of money these days to venture into politics am also into farming just like my grandfather. My hope and prayer, is for our leaders to sit up, the people are watching. Nine days for the thief and one day for the owner, a day of reckoning is on the verge and make no mistake it will surely come.

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