All around the world, there are several symbols and structure put in place to represents what a country stands for, examples of the symbols that are recognised and attached to a sovereign country includes a country flag, National Anthem, coat of arms, a National Pledge, National Animal, National plant or tree, National colour, National currency, National River, National Motto etc. Nigeria is not left out as she has her own symbols, thus, one of the most important symbols of Nigeria as a country is the National Pledge. This post is dedicated to the Author of the National Pledge namely Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin.
The Nigerian pledge of allegiance is an oat to be faithful and bear allegiance to Nigeria, which is recited after the National Anthem. For every Nigerian and individual who recites it offers their loyalty to the country. The Nigerian Pledge is a 6 line pledge written in 1976, by a foremost Nigerian educationalist named Felicia Adeyoyin.
Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin is her full name. She was born on November 6, 1938 in Oke Ogun area of Oyo state. She died May 1, 2021. It is important to note that she was a princess from the Iji Latubi ruling house if Shaki, Oyo State, A wife, A mother, An academician and educationist, A professor, A consultant to the United Nations , A writer/ author, A decision maker and A Deaconess.
She has worked as a teacher and house mistress at Baptist School, Abeokuta from 1958 to 1961. From 1968 to 1974, She worked as a Senior Tutor in Geography Department, Lagos City college, Yaba. In the period from 1974-1975, Felicia Adeyoyin was a Senior Education officer at Lagos Ministry of Education. Her journey as a lecturer and Professor of Education began from 1978 to 1994.
She was a professor of Education at the university of Lagos, an academician in her own right, having a bachelor’s degree in Geography in 1968 from Birkbeck, University of London, A diploma in education, Masters of Arts in Social studies in 1977 from Columbia University and then PhD in Education from University of Lagos in 1981.
She wrote the national pledge which was initially written and published in the Daily times, July edition in 1976 which was titled Loyalty to the Nation, Pledge. After this was published, Emmanuel Adewusi showed the publication to the then Head of State in person of Olusegun Obasanjo, who eventually read it, after which he among others decided to adopt it as the Nigerian’s official pledge.
This publication is what became the National pledge due to modification carried out by Olusegun Obasanjo, it was then adopted on September 6, 1976, during the launching of the Universal Free Primary Education (UPE). Thus, this pledge written as an article became introduced as the National Pledge which was to be recited by the people. To promote patriotism, loyalty, positive values and the idea of service to the fatherland.
Some of her written works include her PhD Thesis titled The Dynamics of Teaching Social Studies at the Grade Two Teachers college Level in Lagos State. University of Lagos, 1981; Her book on Social Science: A book on methodology, 1982; Population Education, 1988; Citizenship Education for JSS Books I, II and III.
From 1994 to 2008 She was recognized and appointed to be a United Nations consultant in which she served as the U.N. Regional advisor on education. She has also won awards such as the Order of Niger award (OON) given to her in December 2005 which is awarded for the service to the nation.
In summary, Felicia Adeyoyin left her mark in the history of Nigeria and in the sands of time, she has contributed her quota, socially, economically, politically, culturally, religiously, educationally, and globally. She is a figure that should be recognised and emulated.
REFERENCES
https://www.forevermissed.com/felicia-adebola-adeyoyin/about
FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS http://196.45.48.59/handle/123456789/4046/browse?type=author&value=Adeyoyin%2C+Felicia.+Adebola.
BIOGRAPHY
https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/adeyoyin-dr-felicia-adebola/
Times Newspaper
Wikipedia/Adeyoyin Felicia
Guardian newspaper https://guardian.ng/news/buhari-pays-tribute-to-national-pledge-composer-adedoyin/
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