Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first prime minister of Nigeria who concurrently held the portfolio of foreign minister, is often described as a modest, self-effacing, calm and inspiring political personality with the touch of a golden voice.
In fact, a number of historians have always regarded him as the ”golden voice of Africa.”
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As Prime Minister, he also concurrently held the portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs as the chief advocate of Nigeria’s foreign relations until 1961 when he effectively and successfully established the substantive ministry of foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations.
He later appointed Jaja Wachuku as minister responsible for foreign affairs and commonwealth relations.
Sir Balewa was born in 1912 in present day Bauchi state. He attended Barewa College, which was then called Katsina College, and subsequently became a teacher at Bauchi Middle School before proceeding for further studies at University of London, Institute of Education, United Kingdom.
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Upon his return from the UK, Sir Balewa continued his career in the education sector until he joined politics, and was elected regional parliamentarian in 1946. In 1952, he became minister of works and later transport.
Described variously as simple, warm and a politician with affable disposition, Balewa was also called the “Golden Voice of Africa” on account of his eloquence and depth of delivery.
In 1957, Sir Tafawa Balewa became Prime- Minister designate having emerged victorious with plurality and concurrence of votes in the Federal House of Representatives.
Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, he became the substantive prime minister of the country. He died in 1966 when his government was ousted.
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