“The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leader. The goal of a great leader is to get people to think more highly of themselves”.
Over the years in Nigeria, we have had leaders who have created lasting impressions in the minds of their followers and have been able to write their name on the ‘sand of time’. Zik is one of them.
Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe popularly referred to as “ZIK OF AFRICA” was a Nigerian Lawyer, Political scientist and an Elder statesman. He was born on November 16,1904 to Igbo parents who were resident in Zungeru, Northern Nigeria.
Nnamdi Azikiwe attended various Primary and Secondary schools in Onitsha, Calabar and Lagos state respectively, before proceeding to the University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln university and Columbia university respectively for his various degrees and certificates.
In 1937 Azikiwe returned to Nigeria and worked as an editor and essayist, before actively getting involved in politics. He became a member of the Legislative Council in 1948 and later served as Premier of the Eastern Region from 1954 to 1959.
At independence from the British colony in 1960, Nnamdi Azikiwe became Governor General of the Nigerian Federation and later became The first President in 1963 when Nigeria became a Republic.
Nnamdi Azikiwe led the Nigeria People’s Party (NPP) from 1978 to 1983. He was its presidential candidate in the 1979 and 1983 general elections. He was an important figure in the history of Nigerian politics with broad interest outside that realm.
Azikiwe served as the Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka from 1961 to 1966 and was the president of several sports organizations for football, boxing and table tennis. He spoke Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa fluently.
He retired from active politics in 1986. He was married to Uche and Flora Azikiwe and was blessed with many children and grandchildren.
Azikiwe passed away at the age of 91 at Enugu, after a long illness on May 11, 1996.
Written by: Kunle Ayano