ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA, “FIRST SPEECH AS PRIME MINISTER” (1957).

By 1957 Nigeria was clearly on the path toward independence.  In preparation the British Government named Abubakar Tafawa Balewa the first Prime Minister of the soon to be independent nation in a power sharing agreement among the colony's three major political parties.  In the following radio address broadcasted to the Nigeria in September 1957,  Balewa accepts his new appointment and outlines the political future of the soon-to-be independent nation.  
This has been a great day for Nigeria, and, as the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria, I am proud to speak to my fellow-countrymen tonight. I am proud, and I am humble, too, when I think of the enormous responsibility which has been placed upon me, and my colleagues.
Today, we have set out on the last stage of our journey to Independence, and the next three years will see the culmination of a process which has been gathering momentum year by year, and will see us reaping the harvest of what we have sown. The success of the harvest will depend upon us, and that is why I am glad to speak to you tonight. Everyone of us has his part to play in the work of preparing Nigeria for Independence on the 2nd of April, 1960. I want everyone in Nigeria to realise that this is no easy task, and it cannot be performed by the Federal and Regional Ministers and legislators alone. It is a task for everyone of you because it is only by the personal effort of each individual that Independence for the Federation can become a reality in 1960.
We have declared our intention of attaining Independence for the Federation on the 2nd of April, 1960, and if we wish to take our place among the responsible nations of the world, we must make every effort to see that this aim is achieved, and achieved with an international reputation for good internal government.
Nigeria has now reached a critical stage in her history. We must seize the opportunity which has been offered to us to show that we are able to manage our own affairs properly. Every Nigerian, whatever his status, and whatever his religion, has his or her share to contribute to this crucial task. I appeal to all my countrymen and women to cooperate with me and my colleagues to create a better understanding among our peoples, to establish mutual respect, and trust, among all our tribal groups, and to unite in working together for the common cause, the cause for which no sacrifice will be too great.
I am convinced, and I want you also to be convinced, that the future of this vast country must depend, in the main, on the efforts of ourselves to help ourselves. This we cannot do if we do not work together in unity. Indeed, unity today is our greatest concern, and it is the duty off everyone of us to work so that we may strengthen it. This morning I said in the House of Representatives that bitterness due to political differences would carry Nigeria nowhere, and I appealed to the political leaders throughout the country to control their party extremists. To you who are listening tonight I repeat that appeal—Let us put away bitterness and go forward in friendship to Independence.
To further this overriding need for unity, my colleagues in the Council of Ministers and I have decided to give the country a lead by inviting the leaders of the Action Group to form with us a truly National Government composed of members of the main parties in the Country, and here I must pay tribute to Dr Azikiwe, to Chief Awolowo, Dr Endeley and to the leader of my own party, the Sardauna of Sokoto, for supporting me in this decision. I and my Colleagues of the N.C.N.C. and N.P.C. bold out our hands in welcome to the Action Group members of the Council and I promise you that we shall do our utmost to ensure that the deliberations of the Council are held in an atmosphere devoid of strife and narrow party prejudice.
And now I would like to say a word to the civil service. We are grateful to all the civil servants, through whose work the country has reached the present stage of political development. I know that every constitutional advance puts a great strain on the civil service. Not only is there additional work to be done, but some officers find it hard to accept the new changes, but I must emphasize that Nigeria has today taken another important step forward, and if we are to succeed we must have the loyalty of all Nigerian and expatriate officers in this vital period before self-government is achieved. I should like to reassure all our expatriate staff of our continued Sincerity in the pledges given over the last few years and to promise them that they need have no fears about their future. Their aim and our aim remains what it has always been—the welfare and prosperity of Nigeria. Our political advance will be of no value if it is not supported by economic progress. It is therefore most important that the development plans throughout the country should be carried out with vigour in order that we may have a proper financial standing when, in three years’ time, we ask the world to regard us as an independent self-governing nation.
I would like to remind you of what a great American once said. It was this, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. This statement is as true for Nigeria today as it has been for any other country. The peoples of Nigeria must be united to enable this country to play a full part in shaping the destiny of mankind. On no account should we allow the selfish ambitions of individuals to jeopardise the peace of the thirty-three million law-abiding people of Nigeria. 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. The way to do this is to create understanding, mutual respect and trust. It is important that we should first show respect to each other before asking the world to respect us.
Well—it is time for me to wish you good night, but first I would Once more tell you how absolutely vital it is for your future and the future Nigeria which your children will inherit that, during this interim period before Independence we should be united. Let us be honest with ourselves, and let us be sincere—we know what we want, and we are sure that we can get it, and get it at the right time, provided we are not delayed by selfish quarrels. At a time like this, we must all turn our minds to Almighty God and seek His guidance and assistance—by His grace, we shall succeed.
Sources:

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mr. Prime Minister: A Selection of Speeches Made by Alhaji the Right Honourable Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Apapa: Nigerian National Press, Ltd., 1964).

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE.

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria.

Early life and career

Abubakar Balewa was born late in 1912 in Bauchi, the son of a Bageri Muslim district head in the Bauchi divisional district of Lere. 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.
He started early education at the Koranic School in Bauchi and like most of his contemporaries, he studied at the Katsina College for further education and soon acquired his teaching certificate. He returned to Bauchi to teach at the Bauchi Middle School. In 1944, along with a few learned teachers from the north, he was chosen to study abroad for a year at the University of London's Institute of Education, which today forms part of University College London. Upon returning to Nigeria, he became an Inspector of Schools for the colonial administration and later entered politics. He was elected in 1946, to the colony's Northern House of Assembly, and to the Legislative Assembly in 1947. As a legislator, he was a vocal advocate of the rights of northern Nigeria, and together with Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, who held the hereditary title of Sardauna of Sokoto, he founded the Northern People's Congress (NPC).

From self-government to independence

Balewa administration

Balewa entered the government in 1952 as Minister of Works, and later served as Minister of Transport. In 1957, he was appointed Chief Minister, forming a coalition government between the NPC and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. He retained the post as Prime Minister when Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and was reelected in 1964.
Prior to Nigeria's independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 had adopted a regional political framework for the country, with all regions given a considerable amount of political freedom. The three regions then were composed of diverse cultural groups. The premiers and some prominent leaders of the regions later took on a policy of guiding their regions against political encroachment from other regional leaders. Later on, this political environment influenced the Balewa administration. His term in office was turbulent, with regional factionalism constantly threatening his government.
However, as Prime Minister of Nigeria, he played important roles in the continent's formative indigenous rule. He was an important leader in the formation of the Organisation of African Unity and creating a cooperative relationship with French speaking African countries. He was also instrumental in negotiations between Moise Tshombe and the Congolese authorities during the Congo Crisis of 1960–1964. He led a vocal protest against the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 and also entered into an alliance with Commonwealth ministers who wanted South Africa to leave the Commonwealth in 1961. However, a treason charge and conviction against one of the western region's leaders, Obafemi Awolowo, led to protest and condemnation from many of his supporters. The 1965 election in the region later produced violent protests. Rioting and violence were soon synchronous with what was perceived as inordinate political encroachment and an over-exuberant election outcome for Awolowo's western opponents.
As Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, from 1960 to 1961, doubled as Foreign Affairs advocate of Nigeria. In 1961, the Balewa government created an official Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in favour of Jaja Wachuku who became, from 1961 to 1965, the first substantive Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs.

Honours

In January 1960, Balewa was knighted by Elizabeth II as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield in May, 1960.

Overthrow

He was overthrown and murdered in a military coup on January 15, 1966, as were many other leaders, including his old companion Ahmadu Bello. The circumstances of his death still remain unresolved. His body was discovered at a roadside near Lagos six days after he was ousted from office. Balewa was buried in Bauchi. News of his assassination spurred violent riots throughout Northern Nigeria and ultimately led to the bloody counter-coup of July 1966.

Today, his portrait adorns the 5 Naira Note. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi is named in his honour.

Uqbah Abdullahi Vono

ZAHRAH AND UQBAH

WAIT let us rejoice and cherish

       Our beloved brother

Nay! He is far more than that

                He is a friend and a mentor

His name,  UQBAH ABDULLAHI VONO

Uqbah: An Arabic Name

Meaning “the end of everything”

                  For indeed name follow its bearer

Because he is indeed the end

Of everything positive

When you talk about calmness

              Uniquessness is also his passion

If you can observe his attire

                    You will need not an explanaTION

Not to even talk of explamaTION

                   He is the end towards tat direcTION

Because of his endless inclinaTION

And frequent prostraTION

To the lord of creaTION

He has already stated to

Succeed in all his endeavors

He is responsible and capable

Charismatic and also trustworthy

He value discipline and justice

Honor, culture and tradition

For they are his watchwords

These are the words of truth

 I am saying for you to benefit

There is no misleading in them

My observation, is what they contain.

I won’t drop my pen

Without paying my respect

To the other half of the duo

Though she need no formal introducTION

ZAHRAH BUHARI is known all over the naTION

Sparklingly bright and beautiful

Her beauty is beyond imaginaTION

It’s said that “Reps ipsa loquito”

FACT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

Her Fulani accent speaks for itself

And her kindness is endless

In peace and harmony she appears

Our prayers to Baba are selfLESS

For his service to Nigeria aren’t careLESS

WE pray that Allah gives him reward that is countLESS

Forgive all his misdeeds shortcomINGS

Protect him from evil doINGS

Enrich him with  good endING

Guide him to the straight path

And admit him into Jannatul Firdausi

AMEEEN

SIR ALHAJI AHMADU BELLO, THE SARDAUNA OF SOKOTO: THE LEGEND (III)

SIR AHMADU BELLO, SARDAUNAN SOKOTO.

The founding of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria the creation of the Northern Regional Development Corporation (NRDC) that later evolved into the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC) which has grown today into giant industrial and business conglomerate. The setting up of the Bank of the North, the Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria (BCNN), the Nigeria Citizen Newspapers. His proposal, as far back as 1952, for Mobil Oil Company to prospect for oil in the north; establishment of various Textile industries such as NORTEX and Zamfara Mills; the building of Hamdalah hotel in Kaduna and the Central Hotel in Kano; the infrastructures foundations for industrial, economic and agricultural development that he put in place, namely roads, rail, telecommunications, electricity and other facilities.

He had in mind the development of a river port at Lokoja which would be connected by rail links throughout the North and which would give the north direct access to the sea. He explored the Trans-Sahara highway idea that would link Kano to Algiers.

A Promoter, Defender and Champion of the North

Witness: when there was concerted campaign to excise a part of the then Ilorin province and merge it with Western region, he made the famous declaration that the North would not concede an inch of its soil, and that any part of it would go over his dead body.

Witness: the Northernasation Policy which was the cornerstone or center-piece of his programme, and which he pursuit vigorously,  Its aims, as stated in April 1960 were: to nothernise the Northern Region public Service as possible; to ensure for Northerners a remarkable proportion of post in the federal Public service; to secure for northerners a reasonable proportion of post in all Statutory Corporations; to increase the number of Northerners in Commercial, industrial, banking and trading concerns in the Region; to expand as necessary the educational, training and scholarship schemes of the Region in order to provide the qualified personal required for the Northernisation policy.

The Northernisation policy was intended to unite Nigeria not to divide it, and by uplifting the North, it was a guarantee for healthy united Nigeria. The same policy of regionalisation was pursuit in the other region without being spelt out. But the Sardauna had pride in whatever he represented and an unwavering belief in the justice of his cause, he was fearless whether facing new challengers or political foes, he was blunt to a fault and never afraid of calling a spade a spade.

He had clear sense of direction and purpose, and his openness, forthrightness, candour and honesty in pursuing his objectives were legendary. He did not compromise his pursuit of balance of growth in the Country. He believes that the long term unity of Nigeria required a policy of catch-up development in the north, and that pill of northernisation was essential for the long-term health of Nigeria.

In 1956, there were only four Northerners on group seven and upwards in the Public Service- Dikko, Umaru  Gwandu, Mr ,Olajide and Ahmadu Commassie. On 31 December 1960 in the senior Northern professional and administrative service position of the Civil Service  there were only Fifty-one Northerners.

At the federal level, the situation was worse. In March, 1961 only about 1% of the employees in the Federal Public service were northerners and fewer than thirty were in senior position post. The Department of Custom And Excise had only two northerners in service and there were only ten commissioned officers in the Nigerian Army.

So the Sardauna embarked on the Northernisation policy in order to redress this problem and he decide to draft some of the Northern civil servants to Lagos much against their will, and some of them set on the journey to Lagos with tears in their eyes because of anticipated hostility waiting them there. And many of the Generals still in active service and many of those retired are living witnesses of the good work and foresight of the Sardauna of Sokoto.

SIR AHMADU BELLO TOGETHER WITH CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO AND OTHER DIGNITIRIES.

An Avowed Federalist

Witness: his Independence Day message to the nation in October 1960 in which he said inter alias: “The Government of which I am the head is solemnly pledged to support the independence Constitution of Nigeria and to protect the federation against all divisionalistic forces within and outside the Country”

A strong Nationalist and a Hard Core Pan-Africanist

Witness: he championed the fight for a genuine and durable independence for Nigeria, insisting that it must be founded and built not on a fragile but solid foundation, based on parity of level of development of the components of the federation. A tripod cannot stand upright and balance with one leg shorter then the two legs.

He took a strong stand against France following the nuclear test by France in the Sahara and France never repeated those test in that region. He stood firmly against apartheid in South Africa.

THE SARDAUNA AIMED AT EDUCATING THE NORTH, GIRLS ARE ALSO NOT LEFT BEHIND.

AN ASTUTE ACCOMLISHED STATESMAN.

Witness: the high esteem with which he was held by political opponents Aminu Kano and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka who never attacked him in their political campaigns.

Witness: the conclusion drawn by that great administrator, Chief Simon Adebo, one-time Nigeria Permanent Representative to the United Nations, that had the Sardauna opted to be at the federal level, with the whole country as his constituency, Nigeria would have risen to greater heights, and that he would have united the country into one Nigeria, one people, one destiny as he did with the north.

Witness: in December, 1961, when the Sardauna was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of law at Nsukka. Dr Azikiwe described him as a spiritual and political leader, a stateman, an educator and a distinguished administrator. There can not be a stronger testimony than this coming from a political rival. He was a man of enormous charisma and personal magnetism, and was easily approachable, and he wielded tremendous influence on all those who came into contact with him.

Witness: the strong influence which he had on foreign head of State in spite of the fact that himself was not a Head of state of Nigeria, President David Jawara of the Gambia became Dauda Jawara, President Hamani Diori of Niger, Ahmadu Ahidjo of Cameroun, Leopold of Senghor of Senegal,Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt, Tombalbaye of Chad,Ayub Khan of Pakistan and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia all became very close personal friends of Sardauna.

A Master of Blending and Harmonizing Contrasting Forces.

The old and the young, the new and the old, the past and the present, Muslims and Christains. Indeed, he was a strong believer in consensus. He paid attention and took into account the views born of the dynamism and radicalism of the youths and he respected the wisdom of the mature old –breed, and he blended the two.

Witness: the mix in the NPC cabinets. At the federal level, the Ministers ranged from the mature Muhammadu Ribadu in his mid-Fifties to the Youthful Maitama Sule, Shehu Shagari and Waziri Ibrahim in their early thirties. At the Regional level, they ranged from mature Makaman Bida to the then Wamban Daura Muhammadu Bashir, Mamman Nasir and Walin Muri Umaru Abba Karim, barely in their early thirties.

He had enormous Self-Confidence and was forceful in asserting himself, and in almost every situation he emerges as a natural leader. He developed toughness in politics and remarkable skills. He was quick to anger but quickly to-forgive and forget-approach to his political opponents was to try to win them over. He would send them gift as he would to his friends and maintained an open door policy towards them.

He was an upright and incorruptible Man, whose guiding principle in public service was honesty, probity, accountability, efficiency, dedication and hard work; and in the pursuit of these principles he did not care whose ox was goaded.

Witness: after several years as the Premier of Northern Nigeria, and undoubtedly the most powerful man in Nigeria during his time, when he died he left virtually nothing except the two local housing in Sokoto town and Rabah which he had build before becoming Premier.

Witness: The 1963 Episode involving the Kano NA during the reign of Emir Muhammadu Sanausi. Emir Sanausi and Sardauna were very close and long standing friends, Sanusi’s Son married Sardauna’s daughter and they have Children. Yet when there was financial misadministration on the Part of the Kano NA, the Sardauna did not hesitate to order an inquiry which led to resignation of the Emir.

Witness: In January, 1961 in an address to Emirs and Chiefs at the institute of Administration, Zaria, the Sardauna unequivocally declared that “My Government will not tolerate Chiefs who show financial irresponsibility or oppress the people”

Witness: the Sardauna once asked Mr. Desmond Wilson, a British officer who had worked in Sokoto and Gwandu as ADO, to purge the Sokoto NA of lazy and corrupt people, Wilson said he did not have the heart for it. The Sardauna replied to Wilson “Neither do I. Most of these people are my relatives. But it has to be done. ”When the exercise was over, one third of the NA was sacked, one third reprimanded and the remaining third kept on but put on warning. On completing the job to show his appreciation, the Sardauna gave Wilson a gift – a Bible.

Witness: the terse statement of Sardauna in December, 1952  “That the NA should retain the confidence of the great mass of their people, that they should discharge adequately the duties and responsibilities assigned to them, that they should conduct their financial affairs in a prudent and responsible fashion, and that they should maintain the standards of honesty and impartiality required in a country approaching independence”.

The simplest of Men and the Most Princely of the Princes

He was simple among his people who respected simplicity, but he was arrogant, pompous and contemptuous of those who arrogate to themselves-acclaimed wisdom just because they have read some textbooks. He was equally at home in the company he was a man of the people. He always sat on the floor in his house, to eat food with his bare hands, from the same bowl with his drivers and ministers alike.

His happiest moments were always when he was in the company of people. He constantly toured the length and breadth of the Northern Region, from Sokoto to Oturpko; from Offa across to Lake Chad, always on the move persuading, cajoling, mobilizing, urging, inspiring people to be disciplined and law abiding, to work hard for common goals, to measure up to their potential and to unite and catch up with the South in the various spheres of human endeavours that Nigeria could march in unison. He hardly ever spent up to a week in Kaduna except perhaps during the month of Ramadan. He literally stopped in Kaduna only to pick another suite case of clean dresses and move on. Files were delivered to him on tour and he never held back a file for more than a couple of days.

He visited his ministers in their homes and gave presents to the wives and Children. He maintained an Open house, and anybody who wanted to see him got audience .He listened to people’s problems and helped both the high and the lowly. He always walked to the mosque from his house.

A Man Whose Generosity was Legendary

He loved to give out presents and gifts. He never had material accumulation instincts and gave out whatever came into his possession. He was scrupulous with public finance but generous with personal finance.

He was a workaholic and a stickler for details. Three to four hours sleep was his life-time pattern of sleeping. When once he was asked whether he was not working too hard and not getting adequate sleep, he replied that his progenitor Abdullahi Ibn Fodio spent eight years after the death of his brother the Shehu praying, reading, writing, and teaching, with hardly any sleep. He was punctilious on formalities and parades would be time to a second, and he was never late for a function.

He was a keen and enthusiastic sportman. In Katsina College he played Cricket and was the Captain of Fives, a game that he played regularly with passion, up to the end of his life.

This is a brief about Ahmadu Bello, the scion of the Sokoto Caliphate, Grand commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Knight Commander of the British Empire, the Founder and First Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, the recipient of the honorary degrees of several Universities across the globe, the recipient of the highest honours bestowed by various countries, the benefactor and guarding of Northern Nigeria and one of the architects of modern Nigeria, The SARDAUNA OF SOKOTO. And a colossus and a legendry whose memory will never be erased and will forever remain aglow in the annals of our history.

May Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.grant him  ans our heroes past eternal peace and a Special place in the al-jannal al-firdausi, Amin