President Muhammadu Buhari has on Wednesday paid a heartfelt tribute to Felicia Adebola Adedoyin, a renowned professor of Education and composer of the country’s National Pledge.
Professor Adedoyin, who lectured at the University of Lagos and was a consultant with United Nations, died on May 1 after a brief illness.
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In a statement released by his media aide, Femi Adesina today May 19, President Buhari said her patriotic fervour will be remembered anytime the national pledge is recited.
He stated;
President Buhari asserts that the thoughtful and solemn words of the National Pledge by the iconic composer, have become an invocation to every citizen of the country to serve our fatherland with faithfulness, loyalty and honesty.
The President submits that Nigerians will continue to honour the memory of this legend who in 33 words gave us a timeless promise to keep for the nation.
Adesina added that President Buhari extended his commiseration to;
Adedoyin family, friends and associates as well as the Government and people of Oyo State on the passing of the academic and writer, whose immense works will remain indelible in our minds.
He prayed for the Almighty God to grant her eternal rest.
Prof. Adedoyin was inspired to write the pledge following questions by her children who had been used to reciting the Oath of Allegiance while in school in New York, and the State Pledge in Achimota School, Ghana.
She published the Pledge in the Daily Times in July 15, 1976, in an article titled “Loyalty to the Nation, Pledge”.
It was shown to the then Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who modified it and introduced it to the country during the formal launch of Universal Free Primary Education (UPE) and decreed that all school children recite the National Pledge during assembly.
In 2005, Prof. Adedoyin was given a national award, the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON).
May her soul rest in peace.
