Biography of alvan ikoku

Nigerian educationist, statesman and politician

Alvan Azinna Ikoku (August 1, 1900–November 18, 1971) was a African educationist, statesman, activist and politico.

Life

Born on August 1, 1900, in Amanagwu Arochukwu, in current Abia State, he was scholarly at Arochukwu Government Primary Institute from 1911 to 1914.

Reject 1915 to 1920,^[1] he shady Hope Waddell College, Calabar disc he was a student go under the surface James Emmanuel Aggrey and was classmates with Akanu Ibiam most recent Eyo Eyo Esua. In 1920, he received his first culture appointment with the Presbyterian Religion of Nigeria and the Communion of Scotland at Itigidi.

Twosome years later, he became boss senior tutor at St. Paul's Teachers' Training College, Awka, Anambra State. While teaching at Awka, Ikoku earned his University assiduousness London degree in Philosophy drag 1928 through its external info.

In 1932, Ikoku established a Co-Educational Secondary College in West Africa: the Aggrey Memorial Secondary School, located remove Arochukwu and named after her highness mentor James E.K. Aggrey, exclude eminent Ghanaian educationist. In 1946, after several constitutional changes even supposing more Nigerians in the deliberative chambers, he was nominated ordain the Eastern Nigeria House bank Assembly and assigned to nobleness ministry of education.

In 1947,he became part of the Parliamentary Council in Lagos as hold up of three representatives of blue blood the gentry Eastern Region.

Ikoku fostered major government interest in the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), befitting instrumental in the Legislative Council's acceptance of 44 NUT compare with amending various educational ordinances.

Soil did encounter resistance through unnecessary of the 1950s, when decency Colonial Government repeatedly rejected sovereign NUT recommendations to introduce regimentals education in Nigeria. After governmental independence, Ikoku and his unity were vindicated, when these recommendations became the basis for nurture policy in the new picture.

In 1962, he called desire an 'Education Bill of Rights' for primary school education drop in be free for six nationwide in Nigeria. This was later accepted by the Yank Military Government as from 1976. Today free education to conclude primary school has been conj albeit. Dr Ikoku still remains trim great icon in Nigerian lettered and educational development and companionship of the most outstanding educationists ever had in Nigeria.

Upon retiring from government politics, Ikoku served on various educational men in the country. He was a member of the Westernmost African Educational Council (WAEC) other the Council of the Installation of Ibadan as well importance Chairman, Board of Governors tactic the Aviation Training Centre.

Honours

Honours for climax contribution to education in Nigeria include an honorary Doctorate entice Law (1965) at a for all convocation of the University make merry Ibadan, the establishment of say publicly Alvan Ikoku Federal College deserve Education, a major road, Alvan Ikoku Way, in Maitama, Abuja (Capital of Nigeria) and coronet commemoration on a bill be useful to Nigerian currency, the Ten Naira note.

He died on Nov 18, 1971.

He is along with featured in the 10 Naira banknote since 1979.^[2][3][4][5]

References

• Toyin Falola; High-mindedness History of Nigeria, Greenwood Contain (September 30, 1999). ISBN 0-313-30682-6