Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa: The Golden Voice of Africa

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912-1966) was born in Tafawa Balewa, present-day, Bauchi State. He remains Nigeria's first and only Prime Minister.

Tafawa Balewa started his early education at the Koranic School in Bauchi and like most of his contemporaries, he studied at the Barewa College for further education where he acquired his teaching certificate. He returned to Bauchi to teach at the Bauchi Middle School.

In 1951, in the North's first elections, Tafawa Balewa won seats in the Northern House of Assembly and in the House of Representatives in Lagos, where he became a minister in the Central Council. In 1952, he became Nigeria's Minister of Works and in 1954, Minister of Transport and the senior minister and leader of the NPC in the House of Representatives.

In 1957, he became the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, a position he held until his death in January 1966.

Today, his portrait adorns the Five Naira note. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi in Bauchi State is named in his honour. #HistoryVille

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[muhammadalhassan]

The 2 Fulfulde words; Tafawa and Balewa are not corrupted words. In Fulfulde, an object can be described as big or small by simply adding 'wa' or 'el' respectively at its ending to qualify it as such. Tatari means rock and Tafawa means big rock. Baleri means black and Balewa mean big black. So, Tafawa Balewa means Big Black Rock. This is the description of the prominent feature in the area by the first settlers there. If the rock had been a small one, the name should have been 'Tafayel Baleyel' meaning small black rock. Thanks.

[samjr]

I mwanza, Tanzania we have a Balewa road.

[AbubakarImam-ft]

Allah ya jikanka ya kuma gafarta sir, Abubakar tabawa falewa

[pendrug]

Imagine this great leader in 5naira...

[godthesonhasilluminatedme]

I wish I knew the history of my native country. Sadly, I am here in America and was taught nothing about Africa ☹️

[safiyanudahiru]

We Lost Leaders That Is Why Nigeria Is Suffering

[muhammadabdullahiabdulkari]

The Golden Voice Of Africa May Your Soul Rest in PEACE

[razrsliq]

Why was he killed? What where his policies and beliefs? Please could you do a documentary on this man

[montumeroe]

I didn't know about this man Balewa he was a bit like Malcolm X today the BBC were talking about how much Nigerian's new generation. Wants the British back in Nigeria, no mention of this guy these people make me sick! Banging on about Democracy in Russia and Hong Kong. While not addressing their undeclared war against Nigeria and Africa which they won that's why things are the way they are.

[florencenwafor]

Golden voice ko, golden voice ni - people who lacked the capacity for leadership.

[robertkirya]

Even in Ugandan languages, a brick is called Tafari.