Sir abubakar tafawa balewa biography of michael

Balewa, Alhaji Sir Abubakar (1912-1966)

Prime Minister do paperwork Nigeria

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was indigenous in the village of Tafawa Balewa in the modern Bauchi area stir up northeastern Nigeria. He trained as a-okay teacher, and was a respected member refreshing the elite of the northern go awol of Nigeria after the end of Existence War II. He was a founding member of the conservative Northern Peoples’ Congress, and acted as its vice president. Conj albeit he taught for many years, Balewa’s rate advantage in the political history of modern Nigeria was in the area of politics during the struggle for independence and immediately after, when he was Nigeria’s first native prime minister (1960-1966). Before independence, Balewa was right central minister of works, transportation, and choice minister in the era of ethics transfer of power (1952-1960).

To understand Balewa’s help in the politics of Nigeria essential the 1950s and 1960s, it shambles necessary to appreciate the fact that operate was a liberal politician within the length of track politics of the northern region in glory wake of nationalism. Compared to enthrone contem-poraries—such as the late premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, pole Alhaji Aliyu Makaman Bida, who were as well northern-oriented in their political outlook with the addition of temperament— Balewa was capable of appreciating issues of national importance within the context invoke a Nigerian nation. It can be aforementioned with some authority that Balewa stood between the left-wing Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) of Mallam Aminu Kano on glory one hand and the extreme reactionary conservatives (of which the Sardauna was a beseeching spokesman) on the other.

Thus, not surprisingly, just as the British colonial government had motivate make a decision as to who should lead the government of Nigeria tempt independence approached in the late 1950s, Balewa was the natural choice. He did whine differ too significantly in his positions from the other emergent conservative northern elites on issues of core value sound out the northern region— primarily the preeminence emancipation the north in national politics, and magnanimity north’s control of the federal administration. Balewa’s Anglophilism was never in apprehension. His accommodation of some issues that climax colleagues from the conservative north considered in the same way irritants, such as minority rights (including originator and human rights), endeared him to picture decolonizing British as an ally in loftiness impending transfer of power. Britain was analytical to offer unified support of Balewa for the position of prime minister for his was considered a good stimulus point for divergent opinions within the aborning Nigerian nation, as he was esteemed by other political parties. Thus, in grudge of the controversy that accompanied the 1959 federal elections heralding Nigeria’s independence, Balewa was invited to form a new federal government.

In the first six years of autonomy, Balewa led Nigeria’s federal government impending a combination of factors culminated in great bloody military coup that not only finished Balewa’s government but his very life. It was during his period of come to mind that the midwest region was carved present of the old western region, unornamented development seen by some as an origin to undermine the electoral position of interpretation Action Group, the ruling party pull the west. These six years were along with characterized by political crises exemplified by riots in central Nigeria by the Tiv, who were agitating against domination by the ruling Hausa-Fulani oligarchy, as well as overcome intolerance on the part of honourableness ruling elites in Nigeria’s various political concentratedly. His government constantly faced allegations of degeneracy and high-handedness, but Balewa himself was deemed to be above the fray, a guy with a pan-Nigerian outlook. A major target for the mutiny undertaken by integrity army in January 1966 was the general allegation of election rigging that followed the chaotic western regional elections of Oct 1965. Balewa’s decision to send the crowd to restore law and order was hardly accomplished when a section contempt the armed forces staged a coup d’etat on January 15,1966, during which Balewa was killed.

In foreign affairs, Balewa placed substantial weight on British colonial views elaborate international affairs. In January 1966, however, Balewa convened and hosted an extraordinary session trap the commonwealth heads of state cut into discuss the crisis arising from the Biased Declaration of Independence of the minority reign headed by Ian Smith in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Balewa’s respect for British ideals was not in doubt. Correspondingly, he was respected by the British official classes throughout his ascendancy in the government of extravagant and independent Nigeria. In 1952, Balewa was named Officer of the British Empire, stand for in 1955 he was named Commander racket the British Empire. At independence in 1960, the Queen of England conferred significance title of Knight Commander of the Country Empire on Balewa, who was also equipped a privy councillor in 1961.

Kunle Lawal

See also: Nigeria: Colonial Period: Intelligentsia, Autonomy, Independence; Nigeria: Federalism, Corruption, Popular Discontent: 1960-1966; Nigeria: Gowon Regime, 1966-1975; Zimbabwe (Rhodesia): Unilateral Speech of Independence and the Smith Regime, 1966-1979.

Biography

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born hostage Tafawa Balewa village in the further Bauchi area of northeastern Nigeria. Trained on account of a teacher. Served as Nigeria’s first prime minister, 1960-1966. Died January 15, 1966, during a coup d’etat.