On this day, 1987: Nigeria Lost Obafemi Awolowo

It was on Saturday, May 9, 1987 that history took a different turn. Nigeria lost Chief Obafemi Awolowo. That is 38 years ago and he was 78.

Surprisingly, days before his demise, Chief Awolowo still worked in his office. Less than 24 hours before, he also had his haircut done by his barber.

Awolowo was a Nigerian nationalist, journalist, statesman and lawyer, who played a vital role in the independence of Nigeria.

He was born on March 06, 1909 in Ogun state, Nigeria and was an indigene of Ikenne, Ogun state.

Obafemi Awolowo was a member of both the Action Group (till 1966) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (till 1983). He was a nationalist who also clamored for federalism. He founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa group, the Action Group, the Unity Party of Nigeria and the African Newspapers of Nigeria Ltd.

Obafemi Awolowo whom the Obafemi Awolowo University was named after (in honor of him) died without distress in his home in Ikenne. His picture is on the N100 note.