Adamu Atta

Adamu Atta
Governor, Kwara State, Nigeria
In office
1979–1983
Preceded by Sunday Ifere
Succeeded by Cornelius Adebayo
Personal details
Born (1927-10-18)October 18, 1927
Okene, Kwara State, Nigeria
Died May 1, 2014(2014-05-01) (aged 86)
Abuja, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Spouse(s) Mrs Rose Atta
Relations The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland HRM Ado Ibrahim
Children Abdulazeez Adamu Atta
Residence Adamu Atta Residence, Adamu Atta road, Kuroko, Adavi LGA, Kogi State
Occupation Civil Servant cum Politician
Profession Law

Alhaji Adamu Atta (October 18, 1927 – May 1, 2014) was the first civilian governor of the Nigerian Kwara State during the Second Republic, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).[1]

Background

Adamu Atta was an indigene of Ebira land, in present Kogi State. Born in Okene in 1927,[2][3] 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.

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.[4]

Governor of Kwara State

Atta defeated Obatemi Usman for a seat in the Constituent Assembly in 1977. Usman appealed the vote to his Oziogu clan, accusing the Aniku sub-clan of Adavi, to which Atta belonged, of occupying most of the public offices in Ebira land.

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

References

  1. 1 2 "2011: Who holds the ace in Kwara?". Nigerian Tribune. 15 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
  2. Onyechi, N.N. (1989). Nigeria's book of firsts: a handbook on pioneer Nigerian citizens, institutions, and events. Nigeriana Publications. Retrieved 2015-01-05.
  3. Uwechue, R. (1991). Africa Who's who. Africa Journal Limited. ISBN 9780903274173. Retrieved 2015-01-05.
  4. Olayiwola Abegunrin (2003). Nigerian foreign policy under military rule, 1966–1999. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 52. ISBN 0-275-97881-8.
  5. Isah Itopa Idris (11 March 2008). "Kogi By-Election - the Devil You Know". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
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