As Nigeria marks its 60 independence, PlatinumPost chronicle some of the heroes of this great country upon whose backs the independence of the nation lies.
Platinum post decided to make a lists of some great men and women in no particular order who we need to remember and celebrate as we celebrate our diamond jubilee.
1. Obafemi Awolowo
Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo. This famous nationalist lived in Nigeria in the 20th century. He did a lot to promote the independence of our country and became the true leader of his nation. Being a lawyer, he also studied commerce and was interested in journalism. Thanks to the newspaper started by him back in 1949 (it was called Nigerian Tribune) he spread the idea of nationalism all across the country.
2. Herbert Macaulay
Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay was also a popular nationalist leader at the end of 19th and in the 20th century. He was highly educated and very talented. Just think of this. The famous Nigerian was good in engineering, music, he studied architecture and was in love with journalism. He was also a well-known politician who actually founded the whole nationalism movement in our country.
3. Nnamdi Azikiwe
He is father of nationalist movement in Nigeria? Photo: face2faceafrica.com His full name is Nnamdi Azikiwe, but many of his countrymen remember him as ‘Zik’ who lived in the 20th century. We think that every citizen of our country known who he is. Besides becoming the ‘father of Nigerian nationalism,’ this man was also the first ever President of Nigeria from October 1963 until January 1966.
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4. Ahmadu Bello
Full name is Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello. This is another impressive politician who became the only premier of the Northern part of the country and served in this position from 1954 until 1966. Along with Nnamdi Azikiwe, he fought for the independence of Nigeria from the British rule, and this was a successful movement that led to our freedom.
5. MKO Abiola
Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, also known as M. K. O. Abiola GCFR was a Nigerian businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Egba clan. He was the Aare Ona Kankafo XIV of Yorubaland. Born 24 August 1937, Abeokuta. Winner of the June 12 1993 elections and died 7 July 1998, Abuja.
6. Anthony Enahoro
Full name is Anthony Eromosele Enahoro. This man also played a big role in guiding Nigerians to their independence. He was a member of Movement for National Reformation party, participated in the politics and helped to edit the newspaper founded by the first President of Nigeria Nnamdi Azikiwe. Enahoro’s name was well known in the mid-1940’s because he was the youngest editor of the paper, he took this post when he was 21years old.
7. Kudirat Abiola
Popularly known as lady is Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. This woman was married to Moshood Olawale who participated in the presidential elections in 1993 and won them, but those election results were annulled by the previous Nigeria government. This led her into the movement towards the democracy of our country. She stood against the military government and inspired millions of her countrymen to fight dictatorship.
8. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a famous politician in the 20th century. She was also a teacher and fought for women’s rights. Besides, many Nigerians remember her as the first Nigerian woman who drove a car. With the creation of the NCNC party by Macaulay, she joined this organization and was an active member.
9. Aminu Kano
A Nigerian politician also associated with the nationalist movement. Active in the 1940’s, he was the leader of the opposition and helped with the fight for the country’s independence. He worked in alliance with the national organization NCNC founded by Herbert Macaulay.
10. Gani Fawehinmi
His full name is Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi. The man who lived in the 20th – 21st century was involved in the political and social life of Nigeria through his lawyer occupation, interest in journalism and passion for national affairs. While staying in college, he was best known among students as ‘Nation’ because of his nationalist interests.
11. Margaret Ekpo
Margaret Ekpo was also active in the 20th century fighting for the rights of Nigerian women. She was a famous nationalist politician and participated in the movement towards the independence of the country. In the history of the country, her name is always remembered. Calabar Airport has been named after this famous and prominent Nigerian woman. You have learned 10 full names of Nigerian nationalists who participated in the country’s political life and fought for the independence of Nigeria. These prominent people gave a lot for our country, so they should be remembered and praised.
12. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
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). 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.
May the labour of our heroes never be in vain.
Happy independence Nigeria.
