Tinubu, Sanwo‑Olu, and George Celebrate Herbert Macaulay’s Legacy at His 80th Memorial

Segun James

President Bola Tinubu paid tribute to one of Nigeria’s most prominent nationalists, Herbert Macaulay, affirming that the late elder statesman’s legacy continues to inspire successive generations.

The remarks were made during the 80th anniversary commemoration of Macaulay’s death, held at the Naval Dockyard on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Last year, the President granted the nationalist a pardon following his conviction by the British colonial authorities for his opposition to political injustice.

Speaking on the President’s behalf, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, noted that Macaulay championed leadership, responsible citizenship, and a steadfast commitment to the common good.

“Tinubu firmly believes that one of the greatest ways to honour Herbert Macaulay’s legacy is by investing in the education of our people. It is through education that we nurture informed citizens, develop visionary leaders, and build a prosperous nation.”

“And this remains the guiding philosophy of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda under which the federal government is implementing far‑reaching reforms to improve access to quality education, also to strengthen skills development, promote innovation, and prepare Nigerians and Nigerian youth to compete successfully in the global economy.”

The President added that the average age of Nigerians is 19 years, noting: “We have a huge youth population. If they are not educated, we are going to have a major crisis in the future. And this will not be done just by government but by each and every one of us in our corners.”

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo‑Olu, said: “80 years of remembering this great icon, who lived for about 82 years at that time, he was the grandson of Bishop Ajayi Crowder. There is nobody in the country that will not remember also that name, the man that created the first secondary school in Nigeria, CMS government school.”

“And so you can see that this is a family and a name that has long history that has helped us build what we’re all enjoying today as a nation.”

“Because if there was no yesterday, there can never be today and tomorrow will begin to rewrite wrong history. So, we need to remember how we got to where we are and so I want to thank you for coming together for remembering a name like Herbert Macaulay and for bringing everybody together.”

Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and great‑grandnephew of Macaulay, and convener of the gathering, declared that Nigeria still has an unfinished responsibility to build a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by the country’s founding nationalists, particularly Herbert Macaulay, the first Nigerian nationalist.

George delivered a memorial lecture titled “An Exposé on the First Nigerian Nationalist – Papa Helas Herbert Macaulay,” in which he paid glowing tribute to the man widely regarded as the Father of Nigerian Nationalism.

According to him, the struggle confronting the present generation is no longer against colonial rule but against weak institutions, insecurity, poor governance, and the erosion of public trust in democratic processes.

“The unfinished task before our generation is not the struggle against colonial rule. That battle was fought by Herbert Macaulay and those who followed him.”

“The unfinished task before us is the struggle to build a nation worthy of their sacrifices. The challenge before us is to strengthen democratic institutions, deepen public accountability, promote justice and fairness, and ensure that leadership remains a sacred trust rather than a personal privilege,” George said.

Other dignitaries present included Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, former Deputy Governors of Lagos, Sinat Ojikutu and Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, Bimbo Oloyede, Joju Fadairo, Oba Moshood Oyekunle Akanbi Oluwa, and Wole Oyelese, among others.