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Socialist Democracy November 2004

Members of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Labour activists, members of civil society groups, students, National Conscience Party (NCP) activists, on Friday July 16, 2004 at Pa Imoudu Hall, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat, gathered to pay tribute to Comrade Rotimi Ewebiyi (RE). Until his death on June 6, 2004, Rotimi was a member of National Executive Committee (NEC) of DSM and also a member of the International Executive Committee (IEC) of the Committee for a Workers International (CWI), an international socialist organisation of which DSM is its Nigerian section.

For socialists and members of DSM in particular, the day's event was an eloquent testimony to the fact that struggle pays. Excluding many comrades that could not be physically present at the event, over 130 labour and youth activists including Rotimi's three surviving children (Bisi, Keye and Sanjo) and members of his immediate family graced the occasion. Even though, Rotimi died young, only aged 42, the predominant mood at the occasion was more of celebration and rededication to the socialist ideals, which he committed his entire adult life to.

Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the people in attendance were predominantly young who don't earn any income, a fantastic sum of one million, one hundred and four thousand, five hundred naira (N1, 104, 500) including cash, cheques and pledges was raised for Rotimi Ewebiyi Endowment Fund. For us, apart from the tremendous enthusiasm exhibited by comrades at the event, the money raised at the event means that at least for the immediate and medium period ahead, the education and upkeep of his children will be guaranteed. In a society where most regard revolutionaries as people wasting their time, the handsome donation was a big morale booster that some, after all, appreciate sacrifices being made by elements like Rotimi.

Speakers at the occasion among others included the General Secretary of the NLC, John Odah, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, the Chief Launcher of the Rotimi Ewebiyi Endowment Fund and Ayo Arogundade who chaired the occasion. Also in attendance were Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, a long standing human rights activist and founding member of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Biodun Aremu, a labour activist from Kolagbodi Memorial Foundation, Zikirullahi of United Action for Democracy (UAD), Seni Ajai of Campaign for Workers and Youth Alternative (CWA), Tony Iyare, Editor, Gleaner News and many other labour and working class activists and friends. Members of the DSM across various branches were also in attendance.

Segun Sango, DSM General Secretary, in his official tribute exalted the virtues of RE as a really rare, dedicated socialist organiser and fighter who dedicated all his life to the organization of the revolutionary movement. To him, the greatest tribute payable to RE is a rededication to the ideals to which he lived for- the ideas of scientific socialism. He used the occasion to urge the leadership of the labour movement to develop strategies and tactics that aim to use general strike as a means of transforming society rather than merely using it to secure paltry concessions, which are often snatched back after the strike by the capitalist class. While acknowledging the existence of a Labour Party at the moment, Sango however lamented the virtual dormancy and complete lack of alternative working class economic and political strategies being put forward by this party at this point in time. He particularly challenged labour leaders to play active role in the formation of a fighting, independent political party of the working masses, which will be radically different from all pro-rich capitalists parties in objectives and methodologies. This, he said, was necessary to bring to a permanent end the exploitative, oppressive and divide and rule policies of the capitalist ruling class. Unless this approach is adopted, all the heroism and courage exhibited by labour leaders and rank and file members in organising general strikes would end up as nothing but missed opportunities. In rounding off his speech, Sango thanked the NLC leadership for making the Imodu Hall available free of charge for the programme.

On his part, the General Secretary of NLC, John Odah, paid glowing tribute to the gentle nature but steadfast dedication of Rotimi to the struggle for the emancipation of the working masses in Nigeria. While observing that many erstwhile socialist groups have either ceased to exist or no longer active within the labour and youth movement, in sharp contrast, he was full of praises for the DSM, which he stated, has remained consistent in its ideas and activities.

At the occasion, the NLC General Secretary made a personal donation of a sum of N10,000. In addition, he promised to carry the message of the endowment to other labour activists especially with a view of striving to launch an Endowment Fund that can serve as a collective pool of fund from which children and relations of other fallen activists like Bala Mohammed, Chris Abashi (former NANS President), etc can draw from.

Biodun Aremu of the Kolagbodi Memorial Foundation said he met Rotimi about 20 years ago during the student movement struggles of 1984/85. To him, the diverse background of people present at the occasion was a graphic confirmation of the fact that Rotimi was an organisational person to the core. He promised to get the Kolagbodi Memorial Foundation to donate N10, 000 to the endowment fund and also promised to donate same amount personally. He also promised to run a page for the Endowment Fund in a labour publication, LABOUR FACTSHEET.

On his part Zikirulahi, Secretary of the United Action for Democracy (UAD) recalled that he met RE sometime in 1995 when he (Zikirulahi) was victimized as a worker for attempting, along with some other workers, to organise the Nigerian Mint Workers Union. As far as he was concerned, Rotimi was a huge inspiration to himself and his colleagues for his constant useful suggestions and practical assistance in the organisation of their fight back against the unjust dismissal by the Mint management. He made a donation of N10, 000 to the Fund and also pledged N20, 000 on behalf of UAD.

Seni Ajai of the Campaign for Workers and Youth Alternative (CWA), a group that split from DSM in 1994, said he attended the programme because of the profound effect Rotimi had on him when he was a member of DSM. Seni emphasised that Rotimi was an admirable socialist organiser who remained friendly even in the face of serious political differences. He pledged to donate N2,000 to the Endowment Fund. Goke Akinrogunde (GOK) also a member of the CWA lamented the untimely death of Rotimi whom he regarded as an outstanding socialist activist. He pledged to donate 30% of his very first salary to the Endowment Fund.

Some individuals and organisations, who could not physically attend the programme sent solidarity messages and pledges. Mrs. H. O. Adewale, the principal of AnwarUl-Islam Model College, Agege, Keye Ewebiyi's school, sent a letter promising to sponsor the eldest son of Rotimi, Keye through the remaining part of his secondary school education. The Agege division of Nigerian Red Cross Society of which Keye is an active member also sent representatives and pledged to contribute to the Endowment. Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association, an affiliate of Trade Union Congress (TUC) sent in a solidarity message and donated the sum of N5, 000 to the Endowment Fund.

To underline the working class character of the occasion, Reggae musicians from Ajegunle, including Amala, Raymond King, Dagga Tolar, entertained the audience free of charge with lyrics of protest music delivered with melodious expertise.

At the end, a sum of N80,500 both in cash and cheque was realised while different pledges of donation amounting to N 1, 024, 000 were made.

Rounding off the event with a vote of thanks, Adewale Bashar urged comrades to rededicate themselves with greater vigour to the struggle for the socialist transformation of the society. He called on others who agreed with our ideas and activities to take decisive step to join DSM as active participants.

Socialist Democracy November 2004