Encomium
AT 86, Professor Adebola Onitiri is still very much active. He writes, reads and surfs the internet at his leisure. The former Director, Nigeria Institute of Socio-Economic Research, just completed a book entitled, It is fun to remember, the Autobiography of Herbert Maurice Adebola Onitiri, and was launched few days ago in Lagos. The 184-page book with foreword written by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, chronicles the life and times of the frontline economist. “I want to write my story for people to read and learn many things there,” he said.
Professor Onitiri, who is married to Agnes Loretta, a princess from Esan, Edo State and blessed with five children, Oyinkansola, Babatunde, Adenike, Folarin and Oluseye, spoke to ENCOMIUM Weekly about the book and his life.
You just wrote your autobiography, what informs that?
Interesting, as I got older by the day I thought it would be good to put on record some aspects of my life that people may find very interesting. I started it late, when I wake after my breakfast, I sit by the computer and I type a chapter or thereabout. The publishers cooperated very well with me, they are in Ibadan, Oyo State. So, whatever I recorded I transmitted to them and they advised from structure and whatever they consider to be omission. It is an exercise of about 18 months.
At 86, one wonders how you could still write a book, what gave you that strength?
It is God, the Almighty, the greatest one. If I found myself tired, I rest, whenever I feel stronger I continue. Sometimes when I was hospitalized I forgot about the book and when I got well, I started again that was why it took so long.
Tell us about other books you have written.
When I was in NISER, we produced many books and I contributed to many. It is all in my memo. During my 80th birthday, a group of friends and students produced a book in my honour.
What are those fascinating things in your autobiography?
I just put down my mind and experience. I am sure people would find it interesting and they can learn from it.
If you were to reflect back to your active days, what would you like to thank God for?
When I was appointed Director of NISER, I was already lecturing at the University of Ibadan. I lectured Economics. When I was appointed, I thought I could hold on to both lecturing and research but that proved very difficult. Gradually, I gave up formal teaching and I concentrated on research. I am thankful to my colleagues who were always ready to advice me. For instance, when it turned out that our accommodation at the University of Ibadan was getting too small, my colleagues and I appealed to the Western government and they provided us with land outside the university on which I built a new NISER and I am very proud and happy about that because we could spread around. I had many good colleagues when I was lecturing and when I moved to NISER, some of them were very prominent like Chief Phillip Asiodu and Chief Allison Ayida, they helped me a lot because they were on the board of advisers of directors of NISER. I also recall the late secretary to the first Nigeria’s president, Mr. Wey, he encouraged me to move to NISER from just lecturing. I did it reluctantly and at the end they were right.
In your days at NISER, which were those research you were able to recommend to the government that guided their policies?
I was involved in advicing the government. I described them in my book, the ones I recalled very well, the trade union wanted to go on strike because they were demanding price control and the government was reluctant to accept that. As director of NISER, I was brought into the picture. I went to talk to the trade union, I was able to convince some of them that price control was not the real issue, rather the issue was to produce more to enhance and emphasise productivity. As a result of that, NISER came out with a publication which was called, Possibility of Price Control in Nigeria. That was very influential in resolving the issue, that was one advice. The second one I could recollect was when I and Chief Simeon Adebo adviced retired General Yakubu Gowon, then Head of State, on what policy to follow immediately after the civil war. I described that in my book. When Chief Obasanjo appointed the anti-inflation committee to control inflation, we made several recommendations, it was that committee that also recommended the land use act which is still in the statute book, though very controversial.
When did you retire and what engaged your time then?
After my spell in NISER, I went to Zimbabwe as the first representative of the United Nations. I enjoyed that. When I came back from Zimbabwe, I retired, I retired but not tired. I still kept on nourishing my mind on various problems, thank God the internet made that possible.
At 86, you still browse the internet. What do you find fascinating about it?
The internet is a medium that can be used for good or bad, it depends on the individual or country to promote the use of the internet for development, for information.
What is the secret of longevity?
There is no secret, we are all in the Hands of God, death will come at its time. When we are alive let us make the most use of the life. Nobody can say when he or she will come to this world and die we just pray we will spend our lives productively.
You are 86, does longevity run in the family?
My father was not very lucky, he died at 39. But my mother was luckier, she was about 95 when she died. I pray God gives me long life like my mother.
What is that regret you still have?
That my father didn’t live long to send me to school.
So, how did you overcome that?
My mother enabled me to continue school, she was illiterate but very caring and loving. I thank God for giving me a perceptive and loving mother.
What are those things important to you now?
To maintain good health, and to constantly be informed about development.
What is your prayer for Nigeria?
This country will overcome her problems and become established as one of the best African countries for progress and development.
-FOLUSO SAMUEL
