Adamu Atta

Adamu Atta
Governor, Kwara State, Nigeria
In office
1979–1983
Preceded by Sunday Ifere
Succeeded by Cornelius Adebayo
Personal details
Nationality Nigerian

Alhaji Adamu Atta was the first civilian governor of the Nigerian Kwara State during the Second Republic, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).[1]

Contents

Background

Adamu Atta was an indigene of Ebira land, in present Kogi State. He was son of warrant chief Ibrahima Atta, whom the British granted wide powers under the Native Authority system, which undermined the traditional process for selection of a leader in the community.[2] He became the first civilian governor of the state, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), although he came from a minority ethnic group.[1] In January 1967, he was permanent secretary for the federal Ministry of Finance, and was in discussions with the Soviet Union over possible development loans.[3]

Governor of Kwara State

In the contest between Adamu Attah (a son of Ibrahima Atta) and Obatemi Usman for a seat in the Constituent Assembly in 1977, Obatemi Usman lost, and resorted to appeal to his Oziogu clan, accusing the Aniku sub-clan of Adavi to which Attah belonged, of occupying most of the public offices in Ebira land.[2] Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki supported Atta in his bid to become governor of Kwara State in 1979.[4]

Atta was responsible for establishing the Obangede Specialist Hospital.[5]

Later career

Adamu Atta is a polo enthusiast, and owner of the Fifth Chukker Club and Resorts.[6] The 2008 annual IWC Laureus Polo Cup in England was won by the Laureus Team in a close match against the Julius Baer Team. Highlights were goals scored by Miquel Novillo Astrada (Team Laureus) and Adamu Atta (Team Julius Baer) hammered in from 80 yards.[7] His team was a strong contender in the 2009 Katsina International Polo Tournament.[8] He was a two times MVP award winner.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b "2011: Who holds the ace in Kwara?". Nigerian Tribune. 15 April 2009. http://www.tribune.com.ng/15042009/politics.html. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  2. ^ a b Marietu O. Tenuche (29 May, 2009). "The state, identity mobilization and conflict: A study of intra ethnic conflict in Ebira land, north central Nigeria". Department of Politic Science, Kogi State University. http://www.academicjournals.org/AJPSIR/PDF/Pdf2009/May/Tenuche.pdf. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  3. ^ Olayiwola Abegunrin (2003). Nigerian foreign policy under military rule, 1966-1999. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 52. ISBN 0-275-97881-8. 
  4. ^ "Between Saraki and Lawal: The Fact and Fallacies". ThisDay. http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2002/08/11/20020811let02.html. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  5. ^ Isah Itopa Idris (11 March 2008). "Kogi By-Election - the Devil You Know". Daily Trust. http://allafrica.com/stories/200803110297.html. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  6. ^ AbdulRaheem Aodu. "Polo: Where passion overrides profit". People's Daily. http://www.peoplesdaily-online.com/index.php/sport-mainmenu-28/polo/66-polo/4932-polo-where-passion-overrides-profit. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  7. ^ "Top polo stars play in IWC Laureus Cup to raise funds for Argentinian children". Laureus. 22 June 2008. http://www.laureus.com/press_releases?article_id=1413. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  8. ^ Ukeme Ekpeyong. "Hassan Katsina, Nigerian Cups at stake". 234next.com. http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/Polo/5441428-147/Hassan_Katsina,_Nigerian_Cups_at_stake.csp. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
  9. ^ "Africa’s No.1 charity polo event, the Emir of Katsina Charity Polo Tournament gallops off in Nigeria". PoloLine. 29 May 2009. http://pololine.com/africa/?cat=6. Retrieved 2009-11-28. 
State governors in the Nigerian Second Republic (1979 - 1983)