What Beko struggled for remain unrealised, activists lament
—Friends and associates of the late civil rights
activist, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti yesterday remembered
his passionate devotion and sacrifices for the dignity of
man but lamented that all his efforts remain unachieved.
They spoke at two different events to commemorate the
death, ten years ago of Dr. Ransome-Kuti. He died at 65
after an eventful life of activism devoted to pro-
democracy causes, civil rights and promotion of the
interests of Nigerian doctors through the Nigerian Medical
Association, NMA. The remembrance of Ransome-Kuti
was also laced with calls for the release of his son,
Brigadier Enitan Ransome-Kuti and other soldiers jailed
for failing to stop invading insurgents of the Boko Haram
militant group.
They spoke at a public lecture at Airport Hotel, Lagos,
and at the laying of wreaths at the Beko Ransome-Kuti
Cenotaph in Anthony Village, Lagos.
The showers of commendation were led by Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State who praised his
selfless devotion to the common good and the Minister of
Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who hailed him as a
man of courage.
Other speakers at the 10th Public lecture were former
Lagos State governor and pro-democracy activist,
Admiral Ndubisi Kanu, trade-cum civil right activists
Comrade Abiodun Aremu, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, Odia
Ofemium, Ayo Obe, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Mohammed
Gani Fawehinmi, Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, Executive
Director, WARD-C, Femi Aborishade, founding chairman
of the National Conscience Party, among others.
The lecture which had the wife of the late activist, Mrs.
Bose Ransome-Kuti in attendance was also graced by
Alfred Ilenre, chairman of Beko Memorial Committee,
Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Malam Naseer Kura, Tony Nnadi
Esq, Chief Doja Adewolu among others.
In his lecture, entitled “Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy:
The realities, challenges and Prospects,” the guest
lecturer, Prof. Sunny Akpotor of Department of Political
Science, Delta State University, said the character of
Nigeria’s governments since 1999 had shown the failure
of its practitioners to understand the tenets of
democracy.
He said, “With regards to the quality of governance, the
2012 Mo Ibrahim Governance Index placed Nigeria 14th
out of 16 West African countries and 43rd out of a total of
52 nations. The report also said Nigeria, South Africa,
Kenya and Egypt dropped in two of the four categories
used to assess good governance on the index safety, rule
of law and participation and human rights. It, however,
singled Nigeria as the worst performer of the four”.
PDP's total contempt for the rule of law
Continuing, he said: “On democratic realities, Nigeria’s
democratic values has hardly been realized. For the 16
years the Peoples Democratic Party was in power, it
exhibited total contempt for the rule of law. The
Constitution and other laws were breached with impunity,
court orders were disobeyed on a regular basis. The
Obasanjo era flourished in a culture of de-
democratisation, carried out by militicians who created
an authoritarian culture and the shrinking of the political
space. Threat of impeachment and blackmail with actual
impeachment were rife. Unfortunately, when Nigerians
were thinking change has come, the All Progressives
Congress, APC federal government led by Muhammadu
Buhari has continued with this ugly scenario of
disobeying court orders” he maintained.
He nevertheless commended President Buhari for
rejecting supplications to devalue the Naira just as he
enjoined the guests to tap into the values Dr. Ransome-
Kuti promoted in his lifetime.
In his keynote address, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, a
professor of Comparative Politics identified governors in
Nigeria as the single most potent threat to democracy in
the country saying until Nigerians rose against some of
their governors, true democracy will remain elusive.
In their various speeches, Malam Naseer Kura, Ayo Obe
and Tony Nnadi said the struggle for a better Nigeria
which Dr Ransome-Kuti stood for remains a mirage.
He lived for humanity— Ambode
Governor Ambode, who was represented by Mrs
Funmilola Odunlami, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Justice, described the late Dr. Ransome-Kuti as a selfless
defender of the masses.
He said: “Beko will forever be remembered because he
lived a selfless life even when he had the opportunity to
live and dine with the rich, he chose to stand in the
struggle for the masses. Severally, he used his medical
facilities to save lives for free, and when he had the
opportunity of enriching himself, he never did but stood
for justice, humanity and became a hero and motivator
for the masses.
“He will forever remain a role model to us because he
followed the path of honour and believed that evil done
against one is an evil done against all.”
He was a man of courage — Fayemi
In his submission, Dr. Fayemi who was represented by
Dr. Otive Igbuzor said Ransome-Kuti remains among the
greatest pro democracy activists who campaigned for
human rights during the Sanni Abacha dictatorship
adding that his network reached from Commonwealth
fora to even local businesses including sellers of fish of
which he was one.
It is painful no one had good record on late Beko — Odia
Ofeimun
Literary icon, Odia Ofeimum in his own remarks lamented
the dearth of records on Ransome-Kuti’s life.
He said, “One thing that made me sad today is that
nobody actually has the full biography of him. He lived an
active life, but we had no record or good caption of how
he was able to manage those terrible times and that is
why I said it is not easy to write about the man Beko
Ransome-Kuti. If he did not write his own story, the
organisers need to get as many Nigerians who worked
closely with him, so that they can write what they knew
about him. I wish it were possible to have a good video of
his movements, we need to have the video clippings of
where Beko performed as an activist, I believe such
clippings will help the younger generation on how to deal
with tyrants when they come across one”.
Beko remains the best ever —Adewolu
In his message, one of the deceased’s school mates at
Abeokuta Grammar School, Chief Doja Adewolu said it
was significant that members of the Ransome-Kuti family
were almost always first in everything they did.
According to him, “Beko had the best result at Abeokuta
Grammar School and as at today, I can say confidently
that he remains the youngest personality to qualify as a
medical doctor at the age of 21 years old”.
“As a medical doctor, his hospital provided succour to
those Nigerians who needed medical attention but could
not afford it. His achievements will go down memory
lane in many years to come because he remains one of
the pillars of democracy and a courageous activist” he
stated.
Earlier, at the laying of wreath at the Beko Ransome-Kuti
Cenotaph in Anthony Village, associates of the late civil
rights activist called for the release of military officers
jailed over their alleged failure to repulse Boko Haram
insurgents who attacked them. Among the jailed officers
is Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti, son of the late
activist.
Among those who spoke at the event were NADECO
Chairman, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd.), Femi
Aborishade, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe
Odumakin, President, Women Arise.
Kanu, who challenged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of
Dr. Ransome-Kuti said that “what Beko struggled, stood
for and lived for is timeless.”
Odumakin, while lauding the achievements of the late
Ransome-Kuti called for the release of his son, Enitan
upon the confirmed fact that the military was deprived of
fighting platforms in the war against the insurgency.
“As we mark the anniversary of Dr. Beko, we remember
Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti who is in prison
now. We want to use this occasion to call for his release
and that of other officers who did not have the weapon to
fight the dreaded Boko-Haram.”
Comrade Femi Aborishade, founding National Chairman,
National Conscience Party (NCP) in his speech said,
“When I first met Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti in 1984, I knew
him as someone who lived a life of service. He was so
committed to improving the life of people. I never knew
him advocating or fighting for himself as a person or for
family but for Nigerian people, the downtrodden against
the rich.
“Beko used his resources, risked his life for my own
freedom when I was jailed in 1989, and when I was
released, later on in the year, the Free Femi Aborishade
Campaign Committee he initiated was changed to
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights which later
became Campaign for Democracy. It is in this regards
that Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti has lived a life that all must
emulate.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi,
Executive Director, WARD-C said: “Beko Ransome-Kuti
charted a course for Nigerians, He had dreams for the
country, and as long as we continue remembering him,
saying that Beko lived on, we must make sure that we do
what is right and respect the rights of the people. It is a
reminder to all us that we cannot forget what Beko left
behind, and what he lived and died for.”
Former President, Civil Liberty Organisation, Mrs. Ayo
Obe in her remarks, urged Nigerians to use their votes
shrewdly towards placing the right persons in power.
She said what the last election taught Nigerians is that an
incumbent can be voted out.
Rights group demands unconditional release of jailed
Beko’s son
Also yesterday, the Beko Rights Klub, a human rights
group, called for the immediate release and reinstatement
of Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti and other
soldiers jailed for failing to hold their own against the
Boko Haram insurgent group in the Northeast.
Led by its convener, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the group
staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly
as part of activities marking the death of Dr Beko
Ransome Kuti ten years ago. They claimed that recent
revelations in the country attested to the fact that
Brigadier-General Enitan was not guilty of any act of
mutiny.
The group charged the State House of Assembly to do all
within its power to get the National Assembly to compel
the Federal Government to ensure the prompt release and
reinstatement of the Brigadier-General and others so
imprisoned.
“The Beko Rights Klub is utilising this occasion of the
commemoration of Beko’s passage to call on the
Nigerian government to grant Brigadier-General Enitan
Ransome-Kuti, son of our late hero, Beko Ransome-Kuti,
national pardon with regards to the case of ‘mutiny’
against him following the decision of the military to court
martial him after the Baga massacre carried out by Boko
Haram insurgents in January 2015.
Brigadier-General Enitan remains in imprisonment till
date, even though history has absolved him,” said
Adeniran.
Adeniran, who is also the chairman, Coalition Against
Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, insisted that rather than heap
blames on the hapless Brigadier-General, he should be
held shoulders high, bearing in mind that his innocence
had been proven by the ongoing arms scandal in the
country.
“We are strongly convinced that the revelations reeled out
from the arms procurement scandal confirm his
innocence and patriotism. In fact, we believe, with those
expositions, the actions of Brigadier-General Enitan and
others are justifiable, reasonable and dialectical,” he
added.
In his response, the Majority Leader of the House, Sanai
Agunbiade, said that members of the House shared the
position of the group, especially in the quest to have a
country where justice, fairness and obedience to the rule
of law prevail.
He, therefore, said that the House would do the needful in
ensuring that the right thing was done to what the group
was clamouring for.
activist, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti yesterday remembered
his passionate devotion and sacrifices for the dignity of
man but lamented that all his efforts remain unachieved.
They spoke at two different events to commemorate the
death, ten years ago of Dr. Ransome-Kuti. He died at 65
after an eventful life of activism devoted to pro-
democracy causes, civil rights and promotion of the
interests of Nigerian doctors through the Nigerian Medical
Association, NMA. The remembrance of Ransome-Kuti
was also laced with calls for the release of his son,
Brigadier Enitan Ransome-Kuti and other soldiers jailed
for failing to stop invading insurgents of the Boko Haram
militant group.
They spoke at a public lecture at Airport Hotel, Lagos,
and at the laying of wreaths at the Beko Ransome-Kuti
Cenotaph in Anthony Village, Lagos.
The showers of commendation were led by Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State who praised his
selfless devotion to the common good and the Minister of
Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who hailed him as a
man of courage.
Other speakers at the 10th Public lecture were former
Lagos State governor and pro-democracy activist,
Admiral Ndubisi Kanu, trade-cum civil right activists
Comrade Abiodun Aremu, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, Odia
Ofemium, Ayo Obe, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Mohammed
Gani Fawehinmi, Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, Executive
Director, WARD-C, Femi Aborishade, founding chairman
of the National Conscience Party, among others.
The lecture which had the wife of the late activist, Mrs.
Bose Ransome-Kuti in attendance was also graced by
Alfred Ilenre, chairman of Beko Memorial Committee,
Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Malam Naseer Kura, Tony Nnadi
Esq, Chief Doja Adewolu among others.
In his lecture, entitled “Sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy:
The realities, challenges and Prospects,” the guest
lecturer, Prof. Sunny Akpotor of Department of Political
Science, Delta State University, said the character of
Nigeria’s governments since 1999 had shown the failure
of its practitioners to understand the tenets of
democracy.
He said, “With regards to the quality of governance, the
2012 Mo Ibrahim Governance Index placed Nigeria 14th
out of 16 West African countries and 43rd out of a total of
52 nations. The report also said Nigeria, South Africa,
Kenya and Egypt dropped in two of the four categories
used to assess good governance on the index safety, rule
of law and participation and human rights. It, however,
singled Nigeria as the worst performer of the four”.
PDP's total contempt for the rule of law
Continuing, he said: “On democratic realities, Nigeria’s
democratic values has hardly been realized. For the 16
years the Peoples Democratic Party was in power, it
exhibited total contempt for the rule of law. The
Constitution and other laws were breached with impunity,
court orders were disobeyed on a regular basis. The
Obasanjo era flourished in a culture of de-
democratisation, carried out by militicians who created
an authoritarian culture and the shrinking of the political
space. Threat of impeachment and blackmail with actual
impeachment were rife. Unfortunately, when Nigerians
were thinking change has come, the All Progressives
Congress, APC federal government led by Muhammadu
Buhari has continued with this ugly scenario of
disobeying court orders” he maintained.
He nevertheless commended President Buhari for
rejecting supplications to devalue the Naira just as he
enjoined the guests to tap into the values Dr. Ransome-
Kuti promoted in his lifetime.
In his keynote address, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, a
professor of Comparative Politics identified governors in
Nigeria as the single most potent threat to democracy in
the country saying until Nigerians rose against some of
their governors, true democracy will remain elusive.
In their various speeches, Malam Naseer Kura, Ayo Obe
and Tony Nnadi said the struggle for a better Nigeria
which Dr Ransome-Kuti stood for remains a mirage.
He lived for humanity— Ambode
Governor Ambode, who was represented by Mrs
Funmilola Odunlami, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Justice, described the late Dr. Ransome-Kuti as a selfless
defender of the masses.
He said: “Beko will forever be remembered because he
lived a selfless life even when he had the opportunity to
live and dine with the rich, he chose to stand in the
struggle for the masses. Severally, he used his medical
facilities to save lives for free, and when he had the
opportunity of enriching himself, he never did but stood
for justice, humanity and became a hero and motivator
for the masses.
“He will forever remain a role model to us because he
followed the path of honour and believed that evil done
against one is an evil done against all.”
He was a man of courage — Fayemi
In his submission, Dr. Fayemi who was represented by
Dr. Otive Igbuzor said Ransome-Kuti remains among the
greatest pro democracy activists who campaigned for
human rights during the Sanni Abacha dictatorship
adding that his network reached from Commonwealth
fora to even local businesses including sellers of fish of
which he was one.
It is painful no one had good record on late Beko — Odia
Ofeimun
Literary icon, Odia Ofeimum in his own remarks lamented
the dearth of records on Ransome-Kuti’s life.
He said, “One thing that made me sad today is that
nobody actually has the full biography of him. He lived an
active life, but we had no record or good caption of how
he was able to manage those terrible times and that is
why I said it is not easy to write about the man Beko
Ransome-Kuti. If he did not write his own story, the
organisers need to get as many Nigerians who worked
closely with him, so that they can write what they knew
about him. I wish it were possible to have a good video of
his movements, we need to have the video clippings of
where Beko performed as an activist, I believe such
clippings will help the younger generation on how to deal
with tyrants when they come across one”.
Beko remains the best ever —Adewolu
In his message, one of the deceased’s school mates at
Abeokuta Grammar School, Chief Doja Adewolu said it
was significant that members of the Ransome-Kuti family
were almost always first in everything they did.
According to him, “Beko had the best result at Abeokuta
Grammar School and as at today, I can say confidently
that he remains the youngest personality to qualify as a
medical doctor at the age of 21 years old”.
“As a medical doctor, his hospital provided succour to
those Nigerians who needed medical attention but could
not afford it. His achievements will go down memory
lane in many years to come because he remains one of
the pillars of democracy and a courageous activist” he
stated.
Earlier, at the laying of wreath at the Beko Ransome-Kuti
Cenotaph in Anthony Village, associates of the late civil
rights activist called for the release of military officers
jailed over their alleged failure to repulse Boko Haram
insurgents who attacked them. Among the jailed officers
is Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti, son of the late
activist.
Among those who spoke at the event were NADECO
Chairman, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd.), Femi
Aborishade, Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe
Odumakin, President, Women Arise.
Kanu, who challenged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of
Dr. Ransome-Kuti said that “what Beko struggled, stood
for and lived for is timeless.”
Odumakin, while lauding the achievements of the late
Ransome-Kuti called for the release of his son, Enitan
upon the confirmed fact that the military was deprived of
fighting platforms in the war against the insurgency.
“As we mark the anniversary of Dr. Beko, we remember
Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti who is in prison
now. We want to use this occasion to call for his release
and that of other officers who did not have the weapon to
fight the dreaded Boko-Haram.”
Comrade Femi Aborishade, founding National Chairman,
National Conscience Party (NCP) in his speech said,
“When I first met Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti in 1984, I knew
him as someone who lived a life of service. He was so
committed to improving the life of people. I never knew
him advocating or fighting for himself as a person or for
family but for Nigerian people, the downtrodden against
the rich.
“Beko used his resources, risked his life for my own
freedom when I was jailed in 1989, and when I was
released, later on in the year, the Free Femi Aborishade
Campaign Committee he initiated was changed to
Committee for the Defense of Human Rights which later
became Campaign for Democracy. It is in this regards
that Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti has lived a life that all must
emulate.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi,
Executive Director, WARD-C said: “Beko Ransome-Kuti
charted a course for Nigerians, He had dreams for the
country, and as long as we continue remembering him,
saying that Beko lived on, we must make sure that we do
what is right and respect the rights of the people. It is a
reminder to all us that we cannot forget what Beko left
behind, and what he lived and died for.”
Former President, Civil Liberty Organisation, Mrs. Ayo
Obe in her remarks, urged Nigerians to use their votes
shrewdly towards placing the right persons in power.
She said what the last election taught Nigerians is that an
incumbent can be voted out.
Rights group demands unconditional release of jailed
Beko’s son
Also yesterday, the Beko Rights Klub, a human rights
group, called for the immediate release and reinstatement
of Brigadier-General Enitan Ransome-Kuti and other
soldiers jailed for failing to hold their own against the
Boko Haram insurgent group in the Northeast.
Led by its convener, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the group
staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly
as part of activities marking the death of Dr Beko
Ransome Kuti ten years ago. They claimed that recent
revelations in the country attested to the fact that
Brigadier-General Enitan was not guilty of any act of
mutiny.
The group charged the State House of Assembly to do all
within its power to get the National Assembly to compel
the Federal Government to ensure the prompt release and
reinstatement of the Brigadier-General and others so
imprisoned.
“The Beko Rights Klub is utilising this occasion of the
commemoration of Beko’s passage to call on the
Nigerian government to grant Brigadier-General Enitan
Ransome-Kuti, son of our late hero, Beko Ransome-Kuti,
national pardon with regards to the case of ‘mutiny’
against him following the decision of the military to court
martial him after the Baga massacre carried out by Boko
Haram insurgents in January 2015.
Brigadier-General Enitan remains in imprisonment till
date, even though history has absolved him,” said
Adeniran.
Adeniran, who is also the chairman, Coalition Against
Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, insisted that rather than heap
blames on the hapless Brigadier-General, he should be
held shoulders high, bearing in mind that his innocence
had been proven by the ongoing arms scandal in the
country.
“We are strongly convinced that the revelations reeled out
from the arms procurement scandal confirm his
innocence and patriotism. In fact, we believe, with those
expositions, the actions of Brigadier-General Enitan and
others are justifiable, reasonable and dialectical,” he
added.
In his response, the Majority Leader of the House, Sanai
Agunbiade, said that members of the House shared the
position of the group, especially in the quest to have a
country where justice, fairness and obedience to the rule
of law prevail.
He, therefore, said that the House would do the needful in
ensuring that the right thing was done to what the group
was clamouring for.