BALEWA,
ALHAJI SIR ABUBAKAR TAFAWA [Balewa, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa] , 1912-66,
Nigerian political leader. He was born Mallam Abubakar. After studying to
become a teacher, he held a series of posts in education and then became a
member of the Northern Region house of assembly in 1947. Later (1951), he was
elected to the federal house of representatives. He was appointed the first
prime minister of the Federation of Nigeria in 1957. When the federation
became independent (1960), he retained his office. He was a founder and deputy
president general of the country's largest political party, the Northern
People's Congress.
Sir Tafawa Balewa was widely
admired for his simplicity and humility. He was killed the January 1966
military coup.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. In 1966, he was killed in a military
coup.
Read more on Tafawa Balewa
Also See
Arewa Center for Regional Development (ACRD)
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