Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in late 1912 in Tafawa Balewa, North East State, (Bauchi) Nigeria. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in late 1912 in Tafawa Balewa, North East State, (Bauchi) Nigeria. Even though, Balewa was only the deputy leader of the NPC, the NPC leader the Sardauna of Sokoto sent Balewa to Lagos to become the Federal Prime Minister in 1957. The tomb includes a library and a mosque. He remains Nigeria's first and only Prime Minister. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE(1) (December 1912 – January 15, 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912-1966) was born in Tafawa Balewa, present-day, Bauchi State. He lived without tribalism, nepotism, religious bias and showed love to his subjects and the entire nation. He was also an international statesman, widely respected […] Tafawa Balewa was a vocal leader, a trained teacher, and he was one of the most educated northerners during his lifetime. Abubakar said this as part of his speech in 1966 after taking over power. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time. In 1949 he helped organize the Northern People's Congress (NPC), originally conceived as a cultural organization but by 1951 a political party. In 1957 he became the first prime minister of Nigeria, a position he held until his death. He studied at the London University Institute of Education (1945-1946), where he received a teacher's certificate in history. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. In 1943 he founded the Bauchi Discussion Circle, an organization interested in political reform. Throughout his career Tafawa Balewa played a leading role in national policy making. Balewa’s father Yakubu Dan Zala was of Gere ethnicity, and … Although it is widely (incorrectly) presumed that he was Hausa, Balewa's father Yakubu Dan Zala was in fact of Bageri Baggara ethnicity, and his mother Fatima Inna was Fulani. The Sardauna had no interest in living in the South. As a common tradition in Northern naming, his last two names are after his birth place in Bauchi. The peoples of Nigeria must be united to enable this country to play a full part in shaping the destiny of mankind. A school teacher, politician. It is apparent that Abubakar’s quest for togetherness has become a thing of concern as calls for separation sound more louder. mernoukoli@gmail.com, In Reminiscence Of The IBB Years As Nigeria Military President -By Gozie Irogboli. Abubakar Tafawa Ɓalewa, Wanda Ya Gabatar A Karon Farko A Matsayin Firaminista A Shekarar (1957). On a day like this fifteen years ago this University was founded in modest surroundings. He was born on October 1, 1912 in the village of Tafawa Balewa, in modern-day Bauchi State. He was born on July 18, 1912 to an Itsekiri chief, Prince Okotie Eboh, and got married to his wife, Victoria, an Itsekiri lady, in 1942. Karfe 11am zamu kawo muku tarihin rayuwar sa kai tsaye daga fitattun masana tarihi a nan cikin garin Bauchi. In 1951, in the North's first elections, Tafawa Balewa won seats in the Northern House of Assembly and in the House of Representatives in Lagos, where he became a minister in the Central Council. The way to do this is to create understanding, mutual respect and trust, Unity is our greatest concern, and it is the duty of every one of us to work so that we may strengthen it. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time. Balewa’s father, Yakubu Dan Zala, was of Gere ethnicity, and his mother Fatima Inna was half Gere, half Fulani. The Right Honourable Gentleman said: “It is the duty of all of us to work for unity and encourage members of all our communities to live together in peace and harmony. According to history, he was born in the village called Tafawa Balewa which was then attached to his name been his place of birth. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Commissioner ministry of culture and tourism. However, these hopes were dashed when his decomposing corpse was found a few days later, dumped in a roadside bush. As prime minister, Tafawa Balewa developed a favorable reputation in international circles. In 1948 he was elected vice president of the Northern Teacher's Association, the first trade union in Northern Nigeria. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in Tafawa Balewa, North East State, Nigeria. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, (born 1912, Bauchi, Northern Nigeria—died January 1966, near Ifo, Nigeria), Nigerian politician, deputy leader of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), and the first federal prime minister (1957–66). Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912-1966) was the first prime minister of independent Nigeria, serving from 1957 to 1966. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912-1966) was the first prime minister of independent Nigeria, serving from 1957 to 1966. A school teacher, politician. After attending Katsina Teacher Training College (1928-1933), he was a teacher and later headmaster of the Bauchi Middle School. As Prime Minister Balewa helped shape the early foreign policy of Nigeria. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE(1) (December 1912 – January 15, 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. There is no biography of Tafawa Balewa, but one can read of his activities in Richard Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation (1963). The first Prime Minister was from Bauchi State. He participated in numerous international development fora. His image appears on the 5 Naira note. Unlike the majority of Northern Nigerian political leaders, he was of humble background, his father having been a client to a district head. A man of unusual authority and having gravitas of a statesman. Check your inbox now to confirm your subscription. In 1963, he gave a spellbinding eloquent speech at the Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) inaugural conference of the Organisation of African Unity. This we cannot do if we do not work together in unity. Unlike the majority of Northern Nigerian political leaders, he was of humble background, his father having been a client to a district head. He might have remained a teacher for the rest of his life had southern politicians such as the flamboyant intellectual Nnamdi Azikiwe not pushed for Nigerian independence. The first Prime Minister was from Bauchi State. He is a father of politics in Nigeria, I must attest to that and the contributions he received from Late. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi was established in 1980 as the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Bauchi, located in the North Eastern part of the Nigeria with Dr. Jerome Udoji and Professor A. O. Adekola as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor respectively, while Alh. A school teacher, politician. He trained as a teacher, and was a respected member of the elite of the northern region of Nigeria after the end of World War II. Although the country’s Prime Minister, he was not the leader of his own party (the NPC) and thus remained in the paradoxical position of being a head of government that had to defer to, and take instructions from his boss (the Sardauna). In 1960 he was instrumental in negotiating a settlement between factions in the Congo Civil War. He was considered a pro-Western leader but was very critical of South African racial policies and of French plans to test atomic devices in the Sahara. Rumours claimed the rebel soldiers were holding him alive and that he would be released as part of a prisoner swap involving the imprisoned Chief Awolowo. Balewa’s father Yakubu Dan Zala was of Gere ethnicity, and … Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa KBE, An haifi Tafawa Balewa a garin Tafawa Balewa dake jihar Bauchi a Arewa maso Gabashin Najeriya a shekara ta 1912.. Yayi karatu a makarantar horas da malamai ta Katsina daga (1928 zuwa 1933), sannan ya zamo malami, kuma shugaban makarantar Bauchi Middle School.. Yayi karatu a makarantar horas da malamai ta London daga (1945 zuwa 1946), inda ya samu … The famous Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos was named after him as was the Federal University of Technology located in his hometown, Bauchi. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in Tafawa Balewa, North East State, Nigeria. Let’s meet one of Nigeria’s heroes of independence. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in December of 1912 in Bauchi of the present Bauchi State. The son of the late Prime Minister’s oldest surviving daughter, Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu Wanka (who holds the traditional title of Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tutan Bauchi), graciously contacted me a day after my column was published. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE(1) (December 1912 â January 15, 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. The late Bauchi illustrious son lived a life worthy of emulation, he sacrificed his day to beautify our today and tomorrow. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912-1966) Victor Uraku July 12, 2020 African Facts, African News Leave a comment 84 Views Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in the village of Tafawa Balewa in the modern Bauchi area of northeastern Nigeria. Below is the speech delivered by the Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, during the celebration of Nigeria’s independence on October 1 st 1960 at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912-1966) was the first prime minister of independent Nigeria, serving from 1957 to 1966. His corpse was taken to Ikeja Airport in the company of Police Commissioner Hamman Maiduguri, Inspector-General of Police Kam Selem, Maitama Sule and his wives Laraba and Jummai who accompanied it as it was flown to Bauchi where he was buried. Tafawa Balewa was killed in a coup of 1966, though his death remained full of controversy. Balewa also was one of the African leaders who encouraged the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Abubakar proposed an amendment to Nigeria’s constitution to give due recognition to the nation building role played by then Governor-General Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in Tafawa Balewa, North East State, Nigeria. “Today is Independence Day. Sir, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria. Balewa, Abubakar Tafawa, Sir, 1912-1966 - LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies | Library of Congress. A commoner by birth, an unusual origin for a political leader in the NPC, Balewa was both a defender of northern special interests and an advocate of reform and Nigerian unity. A British acquaintance called him “perhaps the perfect Victorian gentleman”. He was born on December 1912 in Bauchi, the then Northern Nigeria in what is now known as Bauchi State, to Bageri Muslim, the then district head of the Bauchi divisional district of Lere. Political Issues, Brand Matters In 1950 in the Northern House of Assembly he had advocated fundamental reforms to the system of Native Authorities in the North, a proposal highly unpopular among many of the Northern leaders. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time. His father was a district head in the pre-independence divisional administration. Tafawa Balewa: Remembering the Right Honourable Gentleman -By Usman Abdullahi Koli. All Rights Reserved. Abubakar Balewa was the son of a district head in the Bauchi divisional district of Lere. Dr Asma'u Ahmed Giade ce ta dauki nauyi. Global Issues. During his tenure as prime minister he also … He attended Katsina Teachers College from 1928- 1932. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE was a Nigerian politician, and the first prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in the village of Tafawa Balewa in the modern Bauchi area of northeastern Nigeria. Balewa was called into political service as the Bauchi Native Authority’s representative to the Northern House of Assembly. During World War II Tafawa Balewa had become interested in political activities. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in December 1912 in Tafawa Balewa village. His last public act was to convene a Commonwealth Conference in Lagos to discuss action against the white supremacist unilateral declaration of independence by Rhodesia. In 1946 Tafawa Balewa had been selected by the Bauchi Native Authority as their representative to the Northern House of Assembly, and the House of Assembly in turn selected him to become a member of the Nigerian Legislative Council. 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