Front

Back

Front: Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987), Nigerian nationalist and political leader

Awolowo, son of a farmer, was trained as a lawyer. He became involved in politics in the 1940s. He was elected Premier of Western Nigeria from 1954-1959. He became the opposition leader in the Federal House of Representatives. He was appointed the Federal Commissioner for Finance and Deputy Chairman of the Federal Executive Council, a position he resigned in 1971. In 1979, he ran unsuccessfully for president. He died on May 9, 1987.

Back: Zuma rock

Front

Back

Front: Ahmadu Bello (1909-1966), Nigerian political leader

Bello was trained as a teacher. In 1949, Bello co-founded the Northern People's Congress. In 1954, he became the first Premier of Northern Nigeria, a position he held until 1966. His greatest legacy was the modernization and unification of the diverse people of Northern Nigeria. He was killed in the January 1966 military coup.

Back: Two cows and agriculture products

Front

Back

Front: Murtala Ramat Muhammed (1938-1976), an army general, Head of State 1975-1976

Muhammed enlisted in the Nigerian Army after high school. He was trained at Sandhurst Royal Academy, the Catterick School of Signals, and the Joint Services' Staff College, all in England.

General Mohammed served in the Nigerian contingent to the United Nations' Peace Keeping Force to Congo. During the Nigerian civil war, he commanded the Second Infantry Division. After the civil war, General Mohammed returned as head of the Signals Corp. Later he served as a Commissioner in the military government. On 29th July 1975, he was named Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces following a military coup. He was assassinated on the 13th of February 1976 in an abortive coup.

Back: Portrait of Ladi Kwali, a famous potter