Born on March 6, 1909, Awolowo became the first Premier of the Western Region. During his tenure as leader and Premier, he held the regional ministerial portfolios of local government, finance and economic planning. He was also Chairman of the Regional Economic Planning Commission.
As a nationalist and statesman who played a key role in Nigeria’s Independence movement and political development, three decades after his death, Awolowo’s influence and name continue to be a subject of discussion in the political and academic circles of Nigeria and beyond.
Most of his books and several of his theories propounded as solution to Nigeria’s problems have been regurgitated at various fora as solutions to some of the current crisis facing the country.
Awolowo is renowned for his statesmanship and commitment to efficient leadership and good governance through his intellectual positions of restructuring, security, social justice, transparency, accountability, fairness, equity, selflessness, rule of law, order and legitimacy of political economic and administrative authority.
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