1. Sir Ahmadu Bello, famously known as Sardauna of Sokoto, was a conservative Nigerian statesman who was one of the leading northern politicians in 1960 and served as its first and only premier from 1954 until his assassination in 1966, in which capacity he dominated national affairs for over a decade.
Ahmadu Bello had previously been elected into the regional legislature and later became a government minister.
Ahmadu Bello was a descendant of Uthman dan Fodio, a great-grandson of Sultan Alh.
Ahmadu Bello received Islamic education at home, where he learnt the Qur'an, Islamic jurisprudence and the traditions of Muhammad.
Ahmadu Bello later attended Sokoto Provincial School and the Katsina Training College.
In 1934, Ahmadu Bello was made the District Head of Rabah by Sultan Hassan dan Mu'azu, succeeding his brother.
Ahmadu Bello was selected along with others as a member of a committee that redrafted the Richards Constitution and he attended a general conference in Ibadan.
Ahmadu Bello was successively minister of Works, of Local Government and Community Development, and of Development and Production in the Northern Region of Nigeria.
In 1954, Ahmadu Bello became the first Premier of Northern Nigeria.
Ahmadu Bello's NPC forged an alliance with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe's NCNC to form Nigeria's first indigenous federal government which led to independence from Britain.
Ahmadu Bello originally embraced the Indirect rule system of colonial Nigeria before gradually embracing reforms.
Ahmadu Bello's leadership characteristics was a blend of religious, traditional and modern values and his obligation in colonial and post-independence Nigeria was performing these different roles in the northern region.
Ahmadu Bello likened Nigeria to a compound with three houses:.
Various institutions were created under Ahmadu Bello, including the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation, Bank of the North and Northern Nigeria Investments Ltd.
Ahmadu Bello initiated plans to modernise traditional Koranic education in Northern Nigeria.
Ahmadu Bello set up a commission to this effect and gave official recognition to the schools.
On 15 January 1966, Ahmadu Bello was assassinated by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu a Nigerian Army officer in a coup which toppled Nigeria's post-independence government.
Ahmadu Bello was still serving as premier of Northern Nigeria at the time.
Ahmadu Bello had three surviving daughters with another wife, Amina.
Ahmadu Bello believed that every Nigerian, and all human beings are created equally, that they are endowed by God with rights among which are life, liberty, equal opportunity, blessings and the legitimate pursuit of happiness.