Nwafor Orizu
Encyclopedia
Prince Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu (1915–1999). was a Nigerian of Igbo
origin and Nigeria
's second Senate President from November 16, 1960 to January 15, 1966, during the Nigerian First Republic
. Orizu was also Acting President of Nigeria
from late 1965 until the military coup of January 1966.
, Anambra State
in southeast Nigeria, a son of Eze Ugbonyamba, Igwe Orizu I. He went to the United States in 1939, earning a degree in government at Ohio State University
and earning an M.A. at Columbia University
.
He was an advocate of the "horizontal", broad system of American education as opposed to the narrow "perpendicular" British system, and earned the nickname "Orizontal", a play on his name and a reference to his constant discussion of the theme.
As discussed in his 1944 book Without Bitterness, he was a passionate advocate of introducing the American system to Nigeria.
He established The American Council on African Education (ACAE), which obtained numerous tuition scholarships from American sources for the benefit of African students.
Around 1949, Orizu bought the Enitona High School and Enitona printing press from a supporter for only £500, which he borrowed. Another supporter sold him a luxury bus on an installment plan. He established a newspaper known as The West Africa Examiner and became the managing Director, while M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu was the editor.
He went to Enugu to console the striking miners after the shooting of 21 miners on November 18, 1949.
Possibly in reaction to a fiery speech that he made there, the British colonial authorities sentenced him to seven years in jail for allegedly misappropriating the funds of the ACAE. But later Roy Wilkins, chairman of ACAE in the USA, wrote a letter to Nnamdi Azikiwe ("Zik") exonerating Dr Nwafor Orizu of any financial impropriety.
He played a central role in helping Zik become premier of Eastern Region, using his influence in the NCNC to persuade Professor Eyo Ita
to resign as premier of the Region. Zik appointed Orizu the minister of local Government.
When Nigeria attained independence on 1 October 1960, Orizu became the President of the Nigerian Senate.
left the country in late 1965 first for Europe, then on a cruise to the Caribbean. Under the law, Orizu became Acting President during his absence and had all the powers of the President.
A coup was launched on 16 January 1966 by a group of disaffected young military officers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
.
The army quickly suppressed the revolt but assumed power when it was evident that almost all the leadership of the republic had been eliminated, including Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
, Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello
and Premier of the Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
Orizu made a nationwide broadcast, after he had brief Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe on the phone the decision of the cabinet, announcing the cabinet's "voluntary" decision to transfer power to the armed forces. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
then made his own broadcast, accepting the "invitation".
On January 17, Major General Ironsi established the Supreme Military Council in Lagos
and effectively suspended the constitution.
Igbo people
Igbo people, also referred to as the Ibo, Ebo, Eboans or Heebo are an ethnic group living chiefly in southeastern Nigeria. They speak Igbo, which includes various Igboid languages and dialects; today, a majority of them speak English alongside Igbo as a result of British colonialism...
origin and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
's second Senate President from November 16, 1960 to January 15, 1966, during the Nigerian First Republic
Nigerian First Republic
The First Republic was the republican government of Nigeria between 1963 and 1966 governed by the first republican constitution.-Founding :...
. Orizu was also Acting President of Nigeria
President of Nigeria
The President of Nigeria is the Head of State and head of the national executive. Officially styled President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The current President of Nigeria is Goodluck Jonathan.-History:On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained...
from late 1965 until the military coup of January 1966.
Background
Orizu was born in 1915 into the royal house of NnewiNnewi
Nnewi is the second largest city in Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria. Nnewi as a metropolitan city encompasses two local government areas, Nnewi North and Nnewi South; Nnewi North is commonly referred to as Nnewi central, and comprises four autonomous quarters: Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim, and...
, Anambra State
Anambra State
Anambra is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is...
in southeast Nigeria, a son of Eze Ugbonyamba, Igwe Orizu I. He went to the United States in 1939, earning a degree in government at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
and earning an M.A. at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
He was an advocate of the "horizontal", broad system of American education as opposed to the narrow "perpendicular" British system, and earned the nickname "Orizontal", a play on his name and a reference to his constant discussion of the theme.
As discussed in his 1944 book Without Bitterness, he was a passionate advocate of introducing the American system to Nigeria.
He established The American Council on African Education (ACAE), which obtained numerous tuition scholarships from American sources for the benefit of African students.
Around 1949, Orizu bought the Enitona High School and Enitona printing press from a supporter for only £500, which he borrowed. Another supporter sold him a luxury bus on an installment plan. He established a newspaper known as The West Africa Examiner and became the managing Director, while M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu was the editor.
He went to Enugu to console the striking miners after the shooting of 21 miners on November 18, 1949.
Possibly in reaction to a fiery speech that he made there, the British colonial authorities sentenced him to seven years in jail for allegedly misappropriating the funds of the ACAE. But later Roy Wilkins, chairman of ACAE in the USA, wrote a letter to Nnamdi Azikiwe ("Zik") exonerating Dr Nwafor Orizu of any financial impropriety.
Political career
Orizu ran successfully for election as an independent candidate to represent Onitsha Division, and became the chief whip in the Eastern House of Assembly. Later he joined with other independent candidates to form the National council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC).He played a central role in helping Zik become premier of Eastern Region, using his influence in the NCNC to persuade Professor Eyo Ita
Eyo Ita
Eyo Ita was a Nigerian politician from Cross River State who was the leader of the Eastern Government of Nigerian in 1951. He was one of the earliest Nigerian students who studied in the United States instead of the frequent route of studying in United Kingdom...
to resign as premier of the Region. Zik appointed Orizu the minister of local Government.
When Nigeria attained independence on 1 October 1960, Orizu became the President of the Nigerian Senate.
Military coup
The President of Nigeria, Nnamdi AzikiweNnamdi Azikiwe
Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe , usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe and popularly known as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism who became the first President of Nigeria after Nigeria secured its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960; holding the...
left the country in late 1965 first for Europe, then on a cruise to the Caribbean. Under the law, Orizu became Acting President during his absence and had all the powers of the President.
A coup was launched on 16 January 1966 by a group of disaffected young military officers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, was born in the Northern Region’s capital of Kaduna to Igbo immigrant parents from the Mid-Western Region-Okpanam Town, near Asaba in the present day Delta State.-Background:...
.
The army quickly suppressed the revolt but assumed power when it was evident that almost all the leadership of the republic had been eliminated, including Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time...
, Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello
Ahmadu Bello
Sir Ahmadu Bello was a Nigerian politician, and was the first premier of the Northern Nigeria region from 1954-1966. He was one of the prominent leaders in Northern Nigeria alongside Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, both of whom were prominent in negotiations about the region's place in an independent...
and Premier of the Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
Orizu made a nationwide broadcast, after he had brief Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe on the phone the decision of the cabinet, announcing the cabinet's "voluntary" decision to transfer power to the armed forces. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was a Nigerian soldier. He served as the Head of State of Nigeria from January 16, 1966 until he was overthrown and killed on July 29, 1966 by a group of northern army officers who revolted against the government.- Early life :Thomas Umunnakwe...
then made his own broadcast, accepting the "invitation".
On January 17, Major General Ironsi established the Supreme Military Council in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
and effectively suspended the constitution.