Book on life, times of Okotie-Eboh for launch on Friday
Okotie Eboh
A BOOK that chronicles the life and times, including the philosophies of Nigeria’s first Minister of Finance in the First Republic, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh would be launched on Friday, January 15 at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, (NIIA), Lagos. The book, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh: In his Times and Space written by Professor Jide Osuntokun provides historical insight, including analyses of some of the speeches by the former minister.
The launch, according to the family, is part of activities lined up to mark the 50 memorial of their father who was one of those killed in the first coup in Nigeria. One of his children, Dere Awosika, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the family felt the need to celebrate their father thereby highlighting what he did and stood for while alive.
Awosika said, “We felt we would be doing well to his name and Nigeria when we lay out the truth about who he was for a better tomorrow. He was a patriot. What then is the making of F. S. Okotie-Eboh? That is what the 15th of January 2016 would deal with? What was the making of this man, who was he? What did he stand for? What was his early life? Why was he referred to as an enigma that he was?”
According to her, their father’s coming into politics was principally to serve, as he was already a successful businessman with thriving manufacturing companies before he was appointed to serve the government.
“He was a success in the business sector before coming into politics. And based on his entrepreneurship skills and creation of employment, he was appointed the first Minister of Labour in 1955. He believed in welfarism so much that in all his companies, it was compulsory for each of his staff to have something to move them around and the least was a bicycle.
“It was also his belief that his staff’s children must go to school. So, he built a primary school for boys and girls, grammar and commercial schools and all his staff’s children were enrolled to go to these schools at no cost. He was a passionate Nigerian. He always told us to put Nigeria first. He spent personal money to do so much for this country. The launch is also to give him his due respect in society.”
Before the book presentation on that day, there will be a lecture with the theme, ‘Okotie-Eboh: His politics and times’ with Elder stateman, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule as the keynote speaker. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will be the chairman of the event.
