Suleiman Takuma

Alhaji Suleiman Takuma (1934–2001) was a Nigerian journalist, politician, and businessman. He served as the national secretary of the now defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN)[1] and later as a political advisor to President Shehu Shagari, the only President from that party. He was also one of the founding members of the United Nigerian Party (UNP), (which later merged with United Nigerian Congress (UNC) to form UNCP United Nigerian Congress Party) for which he served as National administrative secretary. This was during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

After this, he withdrew from politics for a time, until becoming one of the founding fathers of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and serving in the role of chairman on the Obasanjo '99 campaign committee. He later served the role of board member and head of the procurement committee in the National Fertilizer Company Of Nigeria NAFCON. He was also appointed chairman of Duke Oil Nigeria limited, which is based in London, but died shortly before he could assume this post.

Early life

A Nupe Muslim from Bida, Niger State, Takuma went to elementary school at Mokwa between 1942 and 1945, before proceeding to a middle school in Bida. He finished his secondary school at Barewa College.

He started a career in broadcasting at the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission in 1957.

Political career

Takuma first gained notoriety for criticizing the Aguiyi-Ironsi administration's handling of the January 1966 coup suspects while he was working at a radio station. As one of the major NPN secretariat officials during the Second Republic, he had brushes with the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and its leader, Obafemi Awolowo.

Traditional titles

Suleiman Takuma held the traditional title of Sarkin Malamai Nupe. When translated this means Chief of the Clerics.

Notes

  1. ↑ "NPN to run Government alone." BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 20, 1981.

References


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