Two “Area Boys” – Continuation of Part II

Unknown to most people, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (“Zik”) could with some justification claim to be an Area Boy from Lagos. He grew up and lived at 146 Bamgbose Street, Lagos (Popo Aguda Area) while attending Methodist Boys High School, before proceeding to Lincoln University/Storer College, Columbia University in the United States of America.

He spoke Yoruba fluently. He was actually born on 16th November, 1904, in Zungeru (now Niger State) but he was of Igbo origin, from Onitsha, Anambra State.

He was Nigeria’s first President and one of the most important figures in Nigeria’s independence movement.

Nationalist leader:

Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), commonly referred to as Zik of Africa, was a Nigerian politician, statesman, and revolutionary leader who served as the first native governor-general of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the first president of Nigeria during the First Nigerian Republic (1963–1966). He is widely regarded as the father of Nigerian nationalism as well as one of the major driving forces behind the country’s independence in 1960.

Azikiwe founded a newspaper, the West African Pilot, and later co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon, a political party of which he was the secretary and later president. He was elected into both the Western and Eastern Houses of Representatives, and later became Premier of the Eastern Region (1952-59).

Politics:

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, politician and one of the founders of modern Nigeria, was born at Zungeru, the son of a clerk. Dr. Azikiwe was educated in Nigeria and the United States.

In 1937, Dr. Azikiwe founded a newspaper, the West African Pilot, and later co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon, a political party of which he was the secretary and later president. He was elected into both the Western and Eastern Houses of Representatives, and later became Premier of the Eastern Region (1952-59). At the Federal level, he served as Senate President, Governor-General (1960-1963) and later President (1963-1966). Dr. Azikiwe is best remembered for his commitment to the Nigerian nation.

Legacy:

In 1937, Azikiwe returned to Nigeria and worked as an editor and essayist before getting directly involved in politics. He became a member of the Legislative Council in 1948, and he later served as premier of the Eastern Region (1954–59). At independence from Britain in 1960, Azikiwe became Governor General of the Nigerian Federation, and President in 1963, when the country was declared a republic.

In the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, from May 1967 to January 1970, Azikiwe first backed his fellow Igbo, traveling extensively in 1968 to win recognition for Biafra and to ask for help from other African countries. However, in 1969, realising the hopelessness of the war, he threw his support behind the federal government in favour of a united Nigeria.

From 1978-1983 Azikiwe led the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP); he was its candidate in the presidential elections of 1979 and 1983. He retired from politics in 1986.

In addition to being an important figure in the history of Nigerian politics, Azikiwe had broad interests outside that realm. He served as chancellor of the University of Nigeria at Nsukka from 1961 to 1966, and he was the president of several sports organisations for football, boxing, and table tennis.

Two former “Olori Ebi” (Head of the Family) of the Tinubu family deserve mention. Alhaji Kafaru O. Tinubu grew up at 21 Ricca Street, Lagos (Oke Popo Area). He lived with his uncle Mr. Disu (“Brother Loco” who had retired from the Nigerian Railways Locomotive (“Loco”) Corporation. The Ashimi family lived in the same house. Dr. Jide Idris (ex-King’s College, Lagos and Harvard University), former Lagos State Permanent Secretary and later Commissioner for Health, is the nephew of Alhaji K.O. Tinubu. His late mother, Biola, was the sister of Alhaji Kafaru Tinubu. Also, the current Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu (ex-St. Gregory’s College, Obalende), is the grandson of Mr. Disu. From the same household, Lateef Ashimi attended Ahmadiyya College, Agege and proceeded to the University of London where he obtained a Master’s Degree (LLM) in Law.

Perhaps, I should add that Alhaji K.O. Tinubu, who died twenty years ago, was also the uncle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

Across the road was Kola Ishola-Bankole who attended St. Gregory’s College and thereafter proceeded to the United States of America where he studied architecture. On his return, he set up an architectural firm with Dr. Alex Ekwueme. Right from his teenage years and adulthood, K.O. Tinubu was a very diligent student. He attended Methodist Boys’ High School but remained a very devout Muslim. He joined the police and rose rapidly. He attended the University of London and obtained a master’s degree (LL.M) in law. He served as the commissioner of police for the entire Western Region (now Oyo; Oshun; Ekiti; Ondo and Ogun States) as well as Minister of Health during the Murtala / Obasanjo regime.