Overlooking Osadebay: A Historical Slip in Nigeria's 65th Independence Tribute

By Emeka Esogbue

A prominent Chartered Accountant (ICAN) and Economist from Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Anonyai Augustine Ojei, has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s maiden Independence Day broadcast for omitting a key figure in Nigeria’s history — Chief Dennis Chukwudebe Osadebay.

In his national address on Wednesday, President Tinubu reeled out names of Nigerians he described as the nation’s founding heroes and heroines: Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Dr. Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. But conspicuously missing from the roll call was Osadebay, the one-time Acting Governor-General of Nigeria.

Writing on Anioma Watch, a socio-cultural platform of the Anioma people, Anonyai described the omission as a “historical slip,” though he conceded it might have been an innocent oversight.

“The non-inclusion of Rt. Hon. Chief Dennis Osadebay among the founding fathers in President Tinubu's Independence Day speech is not good enough. Perhaps, it was an innocent omission,” he noted.

"The oversight must have been because he came from a minority group, despite the profound impact our people continue to make.”

He further stressed Osadebay’s towering contributions to Nigeria’s political history:

“Let it be remembered that Chief D. C. Osadebay was not just the first and only Premier of the Midwestern Region, he also served as Acting Governor-General of Nigeria, was President of the Nigerian Senate, and even led the opposition in the Western Region Parliament during Chief Awolowo’s premiership.”

This is not the first time Osadebay has been overlooked. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his Centenary Speech of February 26, 2014, also reeled out names of national heroes and heroines but excluded the Anioma statesman.

Chief Dennis Chukwudebe Osadebay was one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalist figures, celebrated for both his political and literary contributions. Born on June 29, 1911, in Asaba, present-day Delta State, he received his early education locally before proceeding to the United Kingdom to study law. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, London.

A founding member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), Osadebay became one of the leading voices of Nigeria’s independence movement. He went on to serve as Nigeria’s first Senate President from 1960 to 1963 after independence and played a pivotal role in the creation of the Midwestern Region in 1963. Upon its creation, he was appointed the region’s first Premier, a position he held until the military coup of January 1966 brought regional governments to an end.

Beyond politics, Osadebay was also a respected poet and writer, weaving together themes of nationalism, colonial resistance, and cultural identity. His legacy remains that of a nation builder whose role in Nigeria’s history deserves recognition.

Chief Anonyai Augustine Ojei holds the chieftaincy title of Ugwu'Eze of Issele-Azagba.

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