Speeches

Ambassador John Campbell
Remarks
Tomb of Nigeria's First Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

April 5, 2006, 3:55 p.m.
Bauchi
 

Your Excellency, it has been a sincere honor to come with you today to the Tomb of Nigeria's First Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Mr. Balewa was a man of humble origins who became an advocate for the rights of the people of northern Nigeria.

His accomplishments were recognized by all the people of Nigeria when he became the first Prime Minister of an independent Nigeria in 1960.

Unfortunately, his life was cut short when he was killed during a military coup in 1966.

The American people have helped the people of Bauchi maintain his tomb through a grant of USD $ 5000.00 from the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Some of the grant money was used to procure new audio-visual equipment.

The balance of the money was used to raise the height of the eastern wall fencing and the provision of barbed wire, erecting new wall fencing on the western wing and construction of a burglar proof system in the building housing the audio-visual equipment to enhance the security of the tomb complex.

Thank you for the opportunity to come here today and honor this great Nigerian leader.

 

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