Naija Legends & Icons

2009-03-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 - January 15, 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the first prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time. He was also an international statesman, widely respected across the African continent as one of the leaders who encouraged the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Balewa entered the government in 1952 as.......Click to read full profile/biography of Tafawa Balewa.

Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe (November 16, 1904 – May 11, 1996), usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe, or, informally and popularly, as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism and the first President of Nigeria, holding the position throughout the Nigerian First Republic. Azikiwe was born on November 16, 1904 in Zungeru, northern Nigeria to Igbo parents. Nnamdi means....... Click to read full profile/biography of Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo (March 6, 1909—May 9, 1987) was a Nigerian politician and leader, a Yoruba and native of Ikenne in Ogun State of Nigeria, who started as a regional political leader like most of his pre-independence contemporaries. He founded many organizations, including Egbe Omo Oduduwa, the Trade Unions Congress of Nigeria and the Action Group political party. He was an active journalist and trade unionist as a young man, editing....... Click to read full profile/biography of Obafemi Awolowo.

Iwene Tansi was born in Aguleri, southeast Nigeria, Africa, in September, 1903. His parents followed the traditional non-Christian religion, but they sent him to the local school run by the Irish Holy Ghost missionaries. There he became a Christian, baptized Michael. For a while he worked as a teacher. Then, in 1925, feeling called to the priesthood, he entered the seminary at Aguleri. When he was ordained a priest in 1937, he was one of only ten native Nigerian priests. Reverend Father Michael Cyprian Iwene Tansi as a child was given the name Iwene (in full, Iwemmaduegbunam, meaning "let human malice not kill me"). Click to read full profile/biography of Iwene Tansi.

Grace Awani Alele-William was born on December 16, 1932 and made history as the first Nigerian woman to become the head (Vice-Chancellor) of a Nigerian university i.e. the University of Benin. Born in Warri, Prof. Alele-Williams attended Government School, Warri, and Queen’s College, Lagos. She attended the Nigeria University College now the University of Ibadan, Oyo State South West Nigeria. Later she attended the University of Vermont and the University of Chicago all in the United States of America. Her teaching career......Click to read full profile/biography of Alele-Williams.

Nogozi Okonjo-Iweala was born on the 13^th of June 1954. She hails from the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State Nigeria. Her father’s name is Professor Chukuka Okonjo. Ngozi was the former Finance Minister and later Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, notable for being the first woman to hold either of those positions. She served as Finance Minister from July 2003 until her appointment as Foreign Affais Minister in June 2006. She resigned as Foreign Affairs Minister in August 2006. Okonjo-Iweala was considered as a possible replacement for former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz. On October 4 2007 she was appointed as Managing Director of the World Bank by World Bank President Robert Zoellick. Click to read full profile/biography of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born in Enugu State South East Nigeria in 1977. She is from Abba, in Anambra State, but grew up in the university town of Nsukka where Adichie grew up in the Nigerian university town of Nsukka, one of six siblings in a middle-class family. Both her parents (who are still alive) worked at the university - her father as a mathematics professor, her mother as an administrator. The family lived, by sheer coincidence, in a former home of Chinua Achebe, Nigeria's most famous novelist. But, Adichie says, they weren't especially bookish, and she says that her early interest in literature....... Click to read full profile/biography of Chimamanda Adichie

Olu Jacobs needs no introduction, he is unarguably one of the biggest Actors Nigeria has ever produced. Like his wife Joke, he got most of his training abroad, and today, he is one of the highest paid Actors in Nigeria. Veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, says once he makes him mind about something, nothing changes his vision. Jacob is no stranger to Nigerian movies. His charisma and manner of delivery of lines are legendary – drawing him admiration from fans. His infectious baritone and interpretation of roles are...... Click to read full profile/biography of Olu Jacobs.

Mofe-Damijo was born Richard Evans Eyimofe Mofe-Damijo on July 6, 1961 in Delta State, Mid-Western Nigeria. He is from a family of 18 children. Being born from a polygamous home, Richard has many siblings though he is the only child of his mother and is thus strongly bonded to her. Living with his mother, he learned to perform what is regarded in Africa as women’s chores, including cooking. This internationally acclaimed actor is one of the best in the Nigerian movie industry. He is currently the Honourable Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Delta State Nigeria. Click to read full profile/biography of Mofe-Damijo.

Onyeka Onwenu is a woman of many parts. She is a Broadcaster, singer, actress and politician all rolled into one. From the onset of her broadcasting career with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the 80s, to singing career and later Nollywood industry, Elegant Stallion (as she is fondly called), ranks among the best artistes that Nigeria has produced both locally and internationally. Onyeka surprised a whole lot of people when she joined the fray in 2003 vying for the chairmanship of her local government area in Imo State, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Click to read full profile/biography of Onyeka Onwenu.

Emeka Anyaoku, GCVO, CON (born January 18, 1933) was the third Commonwealth Secretary-General. He is a Nigerian of Igbo descent. Born in Obosi, he attended the University College of Ibadan, then a college of the University of London, from which he obtained an honours degree in Classics. In 1959, Emeka Anyaoku joined the Commonwealth Development Corporation. Following Nigeria's independence, he joined....... Click to read full profile/biography of Emeka Anyaoku.
Aliko Dangote was born in April 10, 1957. He is a stupendously rich businessman based in Nigeria. He is the owner of the Dangote Group, which has operations in Nigeria and several other countries in West Africa. Dangote Group of Companies is a testimony to great success of private entrepreneurship in managing the Nigerian economy. From modest beginning in the late 1970s, he has today built a multi million naira conglomerate.Click to read full profile/biography of Aliko Dangote.
Jim Ovia is a co-founder and the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive, Zenith International Bank, Nigeria. He is also a member of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group and was recently elected President of the Nigeria Internet Group. His bank provides services in private and consumer and investment banking. From practically nowhere, he has built the Zenith Bank to become the fourth most profitable bank in Nigeria in terms....... Click to read full profile of Jim Ovia.
Nwankwo Kanu was born on 1^st of August 1976 in Owerri, Nigeria. Known simply as Kanu and nicknamed Papilo. Kalu is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Nigerian national team and for English club Portsmouth. He is from the Eastern part of Nigeria. His name, Nwankwo, meaning "Babyboy born on Nkwo market day" in the Igbo language. He is the most highly-decorated African footballer in footballing history, having won....... Click to read full profile/biography of Kanu Nwankwo

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Naija Legends & Icons