Quick Facts
Biography
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).
Background
Adamu Atta was an indigene of Ebira land, in present Kogi State. Born in Okene in 1927, he was 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.
He became the first civilian governor of the state, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), although he came from a minority ethnic group.
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.
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.
Atta was responsible for establishing the Obangede Specialist Hospital.