Bello, Sir Ahmadu

Bello, Sir Ahmadu,

1910–66, Nigerian political, b. Rabbah (now in Sokoto State), NW Nigeria. A Fulani and descendent of Usuman dan FodioUsuman dan Fodio
1754–1817. Fulani religious and political leader. Beginning as an itinerant Muslim missionary in northern Nigeria, he gained a large following for his syncretic visions, establishing a base in Gudu.
..... Click the link for more information.
, the founder of the SokotoSokoto
, city (1987 est. pop. 164,000), NW Nigeria, on the Sokoto River. It is the commercial center for a wide region and a collection place for hides, skins, and peanuts. Rice and tobacco are grown for local consumption.
..... Click the link for more information.
 caliphate, he was a major figure in the unification and development of N Nigeria. Trained as a teacher, he worked in local and regional government (1934–44), becoming (1944) secretary of the Sokoto Native Authority Council and chief adviser to the Sultan of Sokoto. Following time spent in England studying administration, he joined (1948) the Northern People's Congress (NPC), which became the leading political party in northern Nigeria. He became a member of the Northern Region house of assembly (1949), then a member of the federal house of representatives (1952–59) and the first premier of Northern Nigeria (1954–66). Bello was knighted in 1959 and also was the first chancellor of Ahmadu Bello Univ. In 1964 the NPC joined with the Nigerian National Democratic party to become the Nigerian National Alliance, winning a majority in the federal elections. The coalition broke apart late in 1965, and Bello was assassinated the following January in the coup that deposed President Benjamin AzikiweAzikiwe, Benjamin Nnamdi
, 1904–96, Nigerian statesman, popularly known as Zik. After advanced studies in the United States (1925), he returned to Nigeria, founded a chain of newspapers, and became one of the country's leading Igbo nationalists.
..... Click the link for more information.
.