Our Leaders Past

IDI AMIN OF UGANDA

HISTORY OF NIGERIA

General Yakubu Gowon: Key Historical Facts

General Yakubu Gowon was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1954 after completing his military training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom. In July 1966, following the counter-coup that deepened Nigeria’s political crisis, he became Head of State at the age of 31, making him the youngest leader in the country’s history.

During his time in office, Gowon married Victoria Zakari in April 1969, becoming the first Nigerian Head of State to wed while in power. He ruled for nine years, from 1966 until July 29, 1975, when he was removed in a bloodless coup while attending an Organization of African Unity (OAU) summit in Kampala, Uganda.

After leaving office, Gowon pursued higher education and later obtained a PhD in Political Science from the University of Warwick in 1983. In the years since, he has remained an advocate for peace, reconciliation, and national unity in Nigeria.

Source: Nigerian National Archives; University of Warwick Records

HISTORY OF NIGERIA

A rare photograph of Nigeria's Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, paying a courtesy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba (Sir) Adesoji Aderemi, at the Ile-Ife palace, circa early 1970s.

Oba Aderemi, who ruled from 1930 until his death in 1980, was a respected Yoruba monarch and the first African Governor of the Western Region from 1960 to 1962. His meeting with Gowon symbolized a blend of cultural heritage and political leadership during Nigeria’s post-civil war rebuilding period, reflecting the role of traditional rulers in national unity.

Source: National Archives of Nigeria

LEGACY OF A LEADER

Abubakar Ibiyinka Olorun-Nimbe (1908–1975): Nigeria’s First Mayor of Lagos

Dr. Abubakar Ibiyinka Olorun-Nimbe was a trailblazing Nigerian medical doctor and politician who made history as the first Mayor of Lagos. A prominent figure in the political and civic development of Nigeria during the colonial era, Olorun-Nimbe was deeply committed to public service, both in healthcare and governance.

Early Life and Medical Career

Born in 1908, Olorun-Nimbe pursued a career in medicine, qualifying as a doctor—a prestigious accomplishment at the time. His background in healthcare provided him with a unique perspective on public welfare, which would later influence his approach to politics and urban development.

Political Career and Mayoral Achievement

In the 1950s, as nationalist movements grew across Nigeria, Olorun-Nimbe emerged as a respected leader. He was elected the first Mayor of Lagos, a position that placed him at the helm of the colony’s urban governance. As Mayor, he worked to improve infrastructure, sanitation, and health services in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria and the country’s most cosmopolitan city.
He also represented Lagos in the Legislative Council, contributing to national debates and advocating for greater autonomy and development for Nigeria’s urban centers. His dual roles—medical doctor and political leader—helped bridge civic administration with the health and social needs of the populace.

Legacy

Dr. Olorun-Nimbe’s tenure as Lagos Mayor marked a significant chapter in the evolution of local governance in Nigeria. He set a precedent for future civic leadership in Lagos and helped lay the groundwork for the city’s transformation into a modern metropolis. His service in the Legislative Council also positioned him as a key voice in Nigeria’s journey toward independence.
He passed away in 1975, but his name remains synonymous with early urban leadership, public service, and the historical rise of Lagos as a major African city.

HIGHLY INSIGHTFUL

Chief Isaac Olufusibi Coker, a.k.a. “Aderupoko” – The First Oluwo of Egba-land (Itesi, Abeokuta)

Chief Isaac Olufusibi Coker, popularly known as “Aderupoko,” was a distinguished Egba leader, successful trader, and renowned philanthropist from Itesi, Abeokuta. His nickname "Aderupoko" originated from his habit of overloading canoes with farm produce and goods while transporting them from Lagos to Abeokuta via the Ogun River. Observers would often shout, “A da eru pa oko!”—meaning “he’s overloaded the canoe again!”

In 1897, he became the first Oluwo of Itesi, Abeokuta, and was notably the first to carry the Ogboni mace (Edan – Ọpá Aṣẹ Ogboni), the symbolic staff of authority of the powerful Ogboni society, from the old Itesi town. Aderupoko was highly respected for his generosity and contributions to his people.

Between 1887 and 1892, he was invited by the Egba Chiefs to become the Alake of Abeokuta, but his elder brother, Chief Samuel Sowemimo Coker, declined the offer on his behalf, fearing the high mortality rate among previous Alakes.

During times of conflict, Chief Coker raised his own soldiers. His military efforts ensured Egba control over boundary territories like Bakatari (between Abeokuta and Ibadan) and Fidiwo (between Remo and Egbaland)—lands which remain with his descendants to this day.

In 1913, he served as one of the key guarantors of a £30,000 loan used to bring electrification and pipe-borne water to Abeokuta—an act that solidified his legacy as a visionary and community builder.

Source:
Jibolu-Taiwo Descendants Family Archive.

UNBELIEVABLE STORY

S.T. Oredein: From Political Strategist to Notorious Convict – A Tale of Influence, Power, and Controversy

Early Influence in Nigerian Politics

Chief Samuel Taiwo Oredein, popularly known as S.T. Oredein, was a prominent figure during Nigeria’s First Republic. A trusted ally of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a top leader in the Action Group political party, Oredein played a vital role in party organization and grassroots mobilization. His political career was defined by sharp intellect, organizational skill, and influence over both party members and the masses.

In 1955, he authored A Manual on Action Group Party Organisation, a political guide used within the Action Group for structuring its activities nationwide. At the peak of his career, he was seen as a political godfather—firm, strategic, and vastly connected.

The 1971 Armed Robbery Case

On April 13, 1971, a violent armed robbery occurred near the Nigerian Sugar Company in Bacita. A gang of robbers ambushed a vehicle transporting ₤13,000 from a bank to the sugar factory. In the process, two policemen and two bank staff were shot, one of whom later died from gunshot wounds.

Shortly after, police arrested Felix Dumeh, the gang leader, who confessed and implicated several high-ranking individuals, including three senior police officers and Chief S.T. Oredein, as the masterminds behind the operation.

The news sent shockwaves across Nigeria. Oredein, once a symbol of political acumen, was now a suspect in a high-profile criminal case.

Arrest, Trial, and Conviction

Oredein was arrested and charged with:

Aiding and abetting armed robbery

Receiving stolen property (specifically, ₤5,000 out of the ₤13,000 loot)

Harbouring the offenders

He denied all charges and insisted he was in Ibadan on the day of the robbery, offering witnesses to support his alibi. However, the court found that there was strong circumstantial evidence against him, particularly concerning the possession of the stolen money.

On December 28, 1971, Justice Moradeyo Adesiyun convicted Oredein alongside the police officers involved: Patrick Njovens, Yesufu Bello, and Amusa Abidogun. They were sentenced to various prison terms based on the counts.

Appeal and Supreme Court Decision

Oredein and the others appealed their conviction. The case reached the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which on May 3, 1973, upheld the convictions on the charges of aiding and abetting and receiving stolen money. Other lesser charges were dismissed, but the most serious ones stood.

The ruling was seen by some as justice served, and by others as a politically motivated decision.

The Family's Defense and Counter-Narrative

Years later, members of Oredein’s family, particularly Ms. Kemi Oredein, published accounts claiming that he was framed for political reasons. According to them:

The sugar factory allegedly robbed was one of Oredein’s own business interests, which made it illogical for him to have orchestrated its robbery.

His conviction was based on coerced confessions and circumstantial evidence.

Some of his accusers allegedly apologized to him after his release.

They maintained that while imprisoned, Oredein remained politically relevant and financially buoyant, supporting politicians and running businesses. This fueled the belief among sympathizers that he had been wrongly accused.

Final Years and Legacy

Chief S.T. Oredein died a wealthy and respected man in some circles, while in others, he remained a symbol of a fall from grace. His life story continues to stir debate—was he a brilliant political organizer tragically ensnared in the corrupt politics of the time, or was he a powerful man who misused his influence?

Whichever side of the narrative one chooses, S.T. Oredein’s name remains one of the most controversial in Nigeria’s post-independence political history.

HISTORICAL

Nigeria's Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, exchanges a firm handshake with his second-in-command (Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters), Major General Tunde Idiagbon, after taking over power following the coup that ousted President Shehu Shagari, circa 1984.

Idiagbon, known as the enforcer of the regime’s strict policies, was a tough and disciplined officer, feared by many. When rumours of a possible coup surfaced in August 1985, he reportedly shrugged them off, saying, "Let them try."

But the “Maradona” of Nigerian politics, General Ibrahim Babangida, struck while Idiagbon was away on Hajj pilgrimage. On August 27, 1985, Babangida overthrew Buhari in a bloodless coup, bringing an end to one of the most disciplined military regimes in Nigeria’s history.

Idiagbon’s absence was seen as critical and it made the coup easier to execute, as he was widely regarded as the backbone of the regime.