Posted By Anyanechi Onyebuchi
September 6, 2024
4:41 am
Mazi Mbonu Ojike was a Nigerian nationalist and writer. He worked as a choirmaster, organist, and teacher in an Anglican school before becoming a student in the United States and then a cultural and economic nationalist.
Ojike popularised the use of Mazi as a substitute for Mr and played a significant role in his party, the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), particularly its rallies. He served as a mass mobilisation agent, and at NCNC rallies, his “Freedom Song” was a hit song.
In 1951, as his party’s Second National Vice President, the 37-year-old Ojike became the Deputy Mayor of Lagos after contesting and winning a seat to represent Lagos at the Legislative Council.
In 1953, he also contested elections in the East and was elected into the Eastern regional assembly.
In 1954, he was first appointed regional Minister of Works before becoming Minister of Finance in the same year.
As minister, Mazi Mbonu Ojike supported the introduction of Pay As You Earn taxation and was involved in establishing the Eastern Region Finance Corporation and road construction.
Ojike favoured political and economic independence for Africa. “Boycott the boycottables” was one of his slogans, advocating for less consumption of Western products in favour of financial expenditures in education and other profitable endeavours.
He encouraged dressing in African attire and favoured palm wine over imported gin. His passion for African music led to the foundation of the All African Dance Association. He advocated for the creation of an African national costume as well as African music and dance.
Mazi Mbonu Ojike married two wives and had five children. A staunch loyalist of Nnamdi Azikiwe and a member of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, Ojike died on November 29, 1956, at Parklane Hospital, Enugu, and was buried the next day. He was only 42.
