Suleiman Takuma

Suleiman Takuma (1934-2001) was a Nigerian journalist, politician and businessman. He served as the national secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN)"NPN to run Government alone." BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 20, 1981.] and later as a political advisor to President Shehu Shagari, the only President from that party.He was also one of the founding member's of UNP United Nigerian Party which later merged with UNC United Nigerian Congress to form UNCP United Nigerian Congress Party In which he served as its National administrative secretary. This was during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.He withdrew from politics after that until joining the PDP in its early years and serving the role of chairman on the Obasanjo 99 campaign committee.

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 the famous 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 Title's

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

Notes

References

*cite news |first= Jide|last= Orintunsin |coauthors= Kola Ologbondiyan |title= Former NPN Scribe, Suleiman Takuma, Is Dead|url= http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2001/09/05/20010905news04.html |work= This Day Online|publisher=Leaders & Company Limited |accessdate=2007-05-05