My Country; My Pride || Posted By || @preshdan
Nigeria is known as the giant of Africa and indeed has been blessed with many patriots and statesmen who were selfless in their services and stood in defence for their subject of which, history will not be complete if their names are not mentioned. One of such men is
source Late Dr. Sir Alvan Azinna Ikoku
Dr. Sir Alvan Azinna Ikoku was born on August 1st, 1900 to the family of Mazi Ikokuadighim of Amannagwu Arochukwu in Arochukwu L.G.A of the present Abia State.
Alvan Ikoku was born three months after his father’s demise; this gave rise to his name ‘Azinna’, which literally means 'coming after your father'. Alvan was born to his father by the third Calabar wife 'Ekanen'. After the death of his father, Alvan was taken by his maternal relations, this is why he had his education mainly in Calabar. He started schooling at Aro Government School, later transferred to Duke Town School thereafter went to Hope Waddell Training Institute, where he got his Secondary and Teacher Education. Interestingly, the late Akanu Ibiam, Eyo Ita and Nnamdi Azikiwe were his schoolmates at Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar.
Sequel to the completion of his course, he got employed as a pupil teacher by the then Presbyterian Mission of Scotland, which owned the Hope Waddell Institute. His first posting was to Igbo-Amagbani which is not far from Itigidi Cross River State were he met Madam Goomsu, a teacher trained Duke Town who how later became his wife. He later was transferred to Ikot Inyang.
Due to his ambition for higher education, he got registered with the Wesley Correspondence College, Oxford, and subsequently passed the London Matriculation Examination with distinction. Amazingly, in 1928 he also passed the final examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) of The University of London, in Philosophy with Honours. Two years later, he was made supervisor of schools.
In 1931, Late Alvan Ikoku resigned his post as Supervisor of Schools, hence in 1932, he established the Aggrey Memorial College, in Amangwu Arochukwu, which was however, the first indigenous private secondary school in Nigeria. At first, the college was teachers training school, but in 1935 changed to complete grown secondary school. In addition to that, it also became a co-educational institution which happens to be the first of its kind in the country then.
source Aggrey Memorial School
The Teacher's Friend
Late Alvan Azinna Ikoku was as indeed an effusive friend to teachers, a conscientious advocate and a pioneer member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
His work capacity and leadership charisma was excellently applaudable that in November 1940, he became the second Vice President of the Union. He was further appointed the Union's Representative on The Board of Education for Southern Provinces together with E.E Esau and Mrs. R. Akaje Mavault in 1944.
He represented educational interest in both the Eastern House of Assembly and the Legislative Council in Lagos and also selected to attend Common Wealth Association conference in New Zealand in the same year. He however, consistently advocated for teacher's welfare uniformity and as well favoured central certification of teachers.
Politics
Alvan was a political leader who promoted the good of the public and is recognized for probity with the qualities to govern a state. 'Help stop evil, oppression and victimization in Nigerian society' was his political philosophy.
Due to his idea of politics which was ultimate service to the people. Opportunism and deceit were out of his equation, and for him, selflessness, constructive criticism, and consistency, were all that mattered.
Alvan allied with Louis Mbanefo, Ubani Ukoma, C.D. Onyeama, G.C. Onyiuke, and C.C. Mojekwu, to form the United National Party (UNP) in 1951 and he was leader of the party.
Due to his level of discipline and honesty which goes beyond ethnicity, it was very difficult for him to join Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) led by the Sarduan of Sokoto, Sir Ahmdu Bello, Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) led by the Sarduan of Sokoto, Sir Ahmdu Bello, the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC) led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, all of which were existing political parties rather he choosed to create one.
Interestingly in 1956, he contested the Enyong Constituency election to the Eastern House of Assembly**, but lost to his first son Sam Goomsu Ikoku
Conclusion
Though the Nigerian civil war caused him great discomfort, he was completely disenchanted by the government take over of his school. Hence, he never survived a stroke attack of November 18, 1971. He was really mourned by many given that his selfless service was far-reaching.
His picture graced our ten naira note currency
source
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