Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe, was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was head of state of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966.
Interesting Facts about Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe
1. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was born on November 16, 1904 at Zungeru in Northern Nigeria. His father, Obed Edom Chukwuemeka Azikiwe, was then serving as a clerk under Lord Laggard since 1902.
2. Dr. Azikiwe’s mother, Rachael Chinwe Azikiwe, was a great grand-daughter of Obi Ugogwu, king of Onitsha whose son and heir, Obi Akazua signed a commercial treaty with Britain in 1863. She died on January, 1958.
3. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe attended various primary and secondary mission schools in Onitsha, Calabar, and Lagos.
4. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe earned multiple certificates and degrees, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a second master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
5. In 1934 he went to the Gold Coast (now Ghana), where he founded a nationalist newspaper.
6. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe was a mentor to Kwame Nkrumah (Later the first president of Ghana) before returning to Nigeria in 1937.
7. After he came back to Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azakiwe founded and edited newspapers and became active in politics.
8. In the course of his political career which spanned about sixty years, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe held many important positions. At Nigeria’s attainment of independence on October 1, 1960 he became Nigeria’s first indigenous Governor-General.
9. Three years later, in 1963, he became the first President and Commander-in-Chief, Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was removed from office by the first coup of January 15, 1966.
10. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe held the traditional title of Owelie of Onitsha. He died on May 11, 1996.
