Namibia

Namibia's Post-Humous Honor on General Murtala

Musa Ilallah

It is not in doubt that Namibia ; a large but sparsely populated Southern African country has again made history. Recent media reports in the local and international media across the globe have shown that the country enjoyed more than a decade of stability under the leadership of its founder, Sam Nujoma, who led the long fight against white rule by South Africa . Namibia achieved independence in 1990 after a bush war of almost 25 years.

Namibia, one can say without any fear of contradiction, has led the struggle for the fight against colonialism and oppression which were anchored by its motivation for the value of democracy and humanity. Sam Nujoma was not alone in the fight to free his country from the clutches of a racist regime. Other notable leaders of other African countries that used their goodwill, their country's human and material resources included Mualimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania; Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya; Augustino Neto of Angola; Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Africa's foremost nationalist, General Murtala Ramat Muhammad of Nigeria. These leaders indeed formed part of the long walk to freedom of the Namibian people.

Murtala was described by close associates as a man of courage and unparalleled decisiveness. At home, he was and is till today described as the most popular Nigerian leader who did not mince words in giving Nigeria a direction to better its future and that of its nationals. Internationally, Murtala had severally said that Africa will remain the focal point of his foreign policy. To translate this conviction into concrete terms, Murtala gave tacit support to the anti apartheid and anti colonial struggles of African countries throughout his short lived regime.

One can also recall that Nigeria 's late military leader, General Murtala Muhammad, as a Pan-Africanist joined forces with the likes of Nujoma to fight for some African countries freedom from the white racists' rules. It was therefore no surprise that recently the leaders of Namibia remembered the efforts and sacrifice of General Murtala Mohammed, of blessed memory and decided to honour him with a street named after him in the Namibian capital, Windhoek . Late Murtala was no doubt a selfless, patriotic, humane, nationalist and Pan-African leader who had come to serve humanity with all his strength.

It was therefore in recognition of this fact that the Namibian authorities decided to give honour to that deserves it.

General Murtala, though came to power through a ʽcoup d'etat', had no doubt talked and acted as an democrat and elder statesman out to democratize not only Nigeria but all African countries.

It will be recalled that before his untimely death through a bloody but unsuccessful military coup on February 13, 1976, Murtala had impressed on Africa and the world that it was time Africans took decisions and worked together for their own interest. Consequently, General Murtala and the Nigerian Government took the initiative in November 1975 to accord the MPLA government of President Augustino Neto legitimate authority as the government of the people of Angola . He and his military junta similarly again wholeheartedly supported the liberation struggle in Southern Africa and in particular the SWAPO movement in Namibia .

The material and political support offered by late General Murtala to the Namibian people in their struggle for independence cannot therefore be underestimated. But one can further say that his role had been enormous and positive. Though he did not live to see the fruits of his labour, there is no doubt in the minds of Africans particularly Namibian that General Murtala had used his determination, bravery, courage and doggedness to significantly lay the foundation for Namibia 's independence. This role had and is today publicly acknowledge by the people and governments of Namibia .

In recognition of his role, the current government of Namibia renamed Omuramba Road to General Murtala Muhammad Road ion the City of Windhoek , the national capital of the country. That indeed is an honour, posthumously to a Pan Africanist, a nationalist and a patriot of the highest order who lived an exemplary life style as a leader. While alive, Murtala's bravery was unquestioned as he stood solid by the twin ideals of human dignity and freedom for all.

Speaking at the naming ceremony in Windhoek , Mr Hangapo Veico noted that though the gesture by the Namibian Government may be small, it however remains a symbol of recognition and acknowledgement which has an enormous impact on the country's history. He added that the name Murtala Mohammed will continue to remind us that the peace and freedom Namibians are enjoying were as a result of the selfless contributions and solidarity of other peace loving Africans. He further explained that the appearance of the names of both national and African heroes on the Namibian streets was giving those, nationals and non-nationals alike a sense of pride.

One has therefore no alternative but to agree with the conviction of Mr Veico that the reality of the African Renaissance was filled with opportunities and challenges that are needed to be explored in order to ensure that the concept takes ʽus to where it should- to create a better life for all, to restore our collective sense of humanity, to rediscover our lost and suppressed past and to inculcate a sense of dignity and pride in communities which bore the brunt of colonialism and apartheid.'

Worthy of note at the occasion was the presence of late General Mohammed's wife, Mrs Ajioke Mohammed and other members of the family, Nigeria's minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Bagudu Hirse, Nigeria's High Commissioner to Namibia, Adegboyeda Ariyo, CEO of the City of Windhoek, Mr Niilo Taapopi among others.

Also speaking at the occasion was the Governor of Khomas Region, Sophia Shaningwa said the bitter truth that the struggle for Namibia 's independence and its total colonial emancipation for the African region did not come on a silver plate. He added that it also through the sacrifices of men and women who had mobilized material and political support for their course. Of note also is the fact that such people and countries availed Namibians and institutions and her freedom fighters to live and wage their struggles. It was therefore painful that some of those freedom fighters have been tagged terrorists and rebels.

By and large, Murtala was seeing by all patriotic Africans as a product of the revolutionary circumstances and African renaissance. He was one leader who understood the social and political context of his time and acted accordingly. Born in Kano , the heart of the defunct Northern Nigeria and its centre of commerce, Murtala was born on November 8 1938. He had in all his actions and words displayed a spirit of African brotherhood which he championed all along.

There is no doubt that the honour done to late General Murtala, though post humously, by naming a street after him in far away Namibia is no doubt an honour to the family and all Nigerians. Indisputably, this is an honour well deserved. Murtala's days in power were no doubt those of selfless sacrifice and enormous contribution to the liberation of Southern African countries in general and Namibia's attainment of genuine freedom and independence in particular under SWAPO as a liberation movement at that time. Murtala's name now stands tall in the history of the Southern African region in general and Namibia in particular.