Adamu Atta
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Adamu Atta | |
|---|---|
| Governor, Kwara State, Nigeria | |
| In office 1979–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Sunday Ifere |
| Succeeded by | Cornelius Adebayo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 18, 1927 Okene, Kwara State, Nigeria |
| Died | May 1, 2014 (aged 86) |
| Spouse | Mrs Rose Atta |
| Relations | The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland HRM Ado Ibrahim |
| Children | AbdulAzeez Adamu Atta, Saratu Atta, Ibrahim Atta |
| Occupation | Civil Servant cum Politician |
| Profession | Law |
Alhaji Adamu Atta ⓘ (October 18, 1927 – May 1, 2014) was the first civilian governor of the Nigerian Kwara State during the Second Republic, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).[1][2]
Adamu Atta belonged to Indigenous peoples of Ebira land, in the present Kogi State. Born in Okene in 1927,[3][4] he was the son of warrant chief Ibrahima Atta, whom the British granted wide powers under the Native Authority system, which undermined the traditional process for selection of a leader in the community.[5] He attended Achimota School in Ghana and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He worked as a civil servant before entering politics.[6]
He became the first civilian governor of the state, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), although he came from a minority ethnic group.[1] In January 1967, he was permanent secretary for the federal Ministry of Finance, and was in discussions with the Soviet Union over possible development loans.[7]
Governor of Kwara State
Atta defeated Obatemi Usman for a seat in the Constituent Assembly in 1977. Usman appealed the vote to his Oziogu clan, accusing the Aniku sub-clan of Adavi, to which Atta belonged, of occupying most of the public offices in Ebira land.[8]
Atta was responsible for establishing the Obangede Specialist Hospital.[9]