History of chief jeremiah obafemi awolowo

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a Nigerian nationalist, a political leader, and a principal participant in the struggle for Nigerian independence. Often he worked at odd jobs to raise money for tuition fees, and his entrepreneurial spirit continued to express itself in the various careers which he subsequently sampled: journalist, teacher, clerk, moneylender, taxidriver, produce broker.

Obafemi awolowo biography pdf

Despite his interest in business ventures, Awolowo wanted to continue his formal education. In he completed a University of London correspondence course for the bachelor of commerce degree. His greatest ambition, however, was to study law, which he undertook in London from to , when he was called to the bar. Returning to Nigeria in , he developed a thriving practice as a barrister in Ibadan.

During his residence in London, Awolowo moved to a position of prominence in the struggle for Nigerian independence. In he wrote his first book, Path to Nigerian Freedom, in which he was highly critical of British policies of indirect administration and called for rapid moves toward self-government and Africanization of administrative posts in Nigeria.

He also expressed his belief that federalism was the form of government best suited to the diverse populations of Nigeria, a position to which he consistently adhered.

When was chief obafemi awolowo born

Also in in London, he helped found the Egbe Omo Oduduwa Society of the Descendants of Oduduwa, the mythical ancestor of the Yoruba-speaking peoples , an organization devoted to the study and preservation of Yoruba culture. In Awolowo founded and organized the Action Group political party in Western Nigeria to participate in the Western Regional elections of The Action Group's platform called for immediate termination of British rule in Nigeria and for development of various public welfare programs, including universal primary education, increase of health services in rural areas, diversification of the Western Regional economy, and democratization of local governments.

The Action Group won a majority, and in Awolowo as president of the Action Group became leader of the party in power in Western Nigeria. In he became the first premier of the Western Region, on which occasion he was awarded an honorary chieftaincy. During his tenure as leader and premier, he held the regional ministerial portfolios of local government , finance, and economic planning.