Patrick Aziza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patrick Aziza
|
|
|---|---|
| Governor of Kebbi State | |
| In office 28 August 1991 – January 1992 |
|
| Preceded by | Bashir Salihi Magashi (Sokoto State) |
| Succeeded by | Abubakar Musa |
| Minister of Communications | |
| In office . – August 1998 |
|
| Succeeded by | Air Vice Marshal Cannes Umenwaliri |
| Minister of Commerce and Tourism | |
| In office 22 August 1998 – May 1999 |
|
| Succeeded by | Mustapha Bello |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 December 1947 Okpe, Delta State |
| Died | 16 August 2014 (aged 66) Abuja, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | Brigade Commander, Amphibious Brigade, Calabar |
Patrick Aziza (born December 23, 1947 – died August 16, 2014) was an important Nigerian military leader. He was the very first military Governor of Kebbi State in Nigeria. This happened in 1991 when Kebbi State was created from part of Sokoto State during the time General Ibrahim Babangida was in charge of the country.
Contents
Early Life and Military Training
Patrick Aziza was born on December 23, 1947, in Okpe local Government Area in Delta State. He grew up in Abakaliki, which is in Ebonyi State.
He went to secondary school in Ibadan. After that, he joined the Nigerian Army and took part in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). He then attended the Nigeria Defence Academy in Kaduna, finishing his training in 1970.
After graduating, he became a 2nd lieutenant and was quickly promoted to lieutenant in 1970. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Commando unit. In 1971, he was promoted again to captain. He also served as an aide to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General David Ejoor. In 1974, he went to the United States for a special 12-month course at the Advanced School of Infantry in Fort Benning.
Military Career and Leadership Roles
After his training, Aziza was posted to Warri as a battalion commander. He was later promoted and moved to Kano as a brigade major. He attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji from 1978 to 1979.
After his studies, he worked at the Army Headquarters, where he was in charge of troop movement and planning. In this role, he helped plan the movement of Nigerian soldiers for the United Nations' peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL. Aziza also served on the Provisional Ruling Council, which was a high-level government body.
Governor of Kebbi State
When he was the Brigade Commander of the Amphibious Brigade in Calabar, Patrick Aziza was chosen to be the first military administrator of Kebbi State. He held this position from August 28, 1991, until January 1992. He then handed over power to the elected civilian governor, Abubakar Musa, as Nigeria was moving towards a civilian government.
Roles in Government
Aziza was part of the group of officers who helped General Sani Abacha take power. He was the leader of a special military court that looked into a reported coup plot in 1995. He also led a court that tried six journalists.
He served as the Minister of Communications during General Sani Abacha's military government. In this role, he cancelled the licenses of 12 companies that were supposed to provide telecommunications services. In 1998, Aziza mentioned that Nigeria needed a lot of money to improve its phone services. Later, he was appointed Minister of Commerce and Tourism during General Abdulsalami Abubakar's government.
Life After Military Service
When Nigeria returned to democracy in June 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo asked Patrick Aziza and other former military administrators to retire from the army.
After retiring, Aziza started his own private businesses. He was also a very good amateur golfer. He received important traditional titles, such as the Ajaguna of Okukuland and Azizokpe of Okpe kingdom. He was also honored as a Commander of the Federal Republic. Until his death, he was the president-general of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), which is a cultural organization for the Urhobo people.
Patrick Aziza passed away from cancer on August 16, 2014, at the age of 66.
