Festus Okotie-Eboh

Festus Okotie-Eboh (1919-1966) was a prominent and flamboyant Nigerian politician and former minister for finance during the administration of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Born to an Itsekiri Chief, in a town along the Benin River, he attended the Baptist School, Sapele for secondary education. He later joined the British Bata Company, as a clerk. After working at the British Bata Company for a while, he became a deputy manager in Sapele, during this time he was also member of the Warri Ports Advisory Committee and the Sapele Township Advisory Board. In due time, he traveled to Czechoslovakia and studied Business Administration. On returning to the country, he quit his prior position and started a successful business, selling timber, rubber and owning a few schools. In 1951, after some influence from Azikiwe, he contested for a seat and was elected into the western region House of Assembly. In 1954, he was elected treasurer of the N.C.N.C. and in 1957, was made Minister of Finance.

Death

Okotie-Eboh was assassinated along with Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa in the January 15, 1966 military coup which terminated the Nigerian First Republic, and thus civilian rule.History had shown that he was a fifth columnist for the colonial admnistration.

References

*Rosalynde Ainslie, Catherine Hoskyns, Ronald Segal; Frederick A. Praeger, Political Africa: A Who's Who of Personalities and Parties. Frederick A. Praeger, 1961