Timothy Paul Birabi
Timothy Paul Birabi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 October 1916 |
| Education | University of Southampton |
| Spouse | Victoria Birabi |
Timothy Naakuu Paul Birabi (1916–1953) popularly known as TNP Birabi was a Nigerian nationalist and politician widely considered the father of modern Ogoniland.[1]
Education
Birabi studied geography and mathematics at the University of Southampton. He was awarded fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1948. Birabi was the first University graduate from Ogoniland and was instrumental in the educational development of Ogoni people during the pre-independence era.[2]
Political career
Hon. Birabi was elected to the House of Representatives (Nigeria) under the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. He was part of the delegation that attended the London Constitutional conference in 1953 to negotiate the independence of Nigeria from Great Britain.[3]
Death
Birabi died in 1953 shortly after returning from the London conference. Nigeria's first president Nnamdi Azikiwe paid tribute to him at his funeral ceremony remarking "Nigeria has lost a worthy son and Ogoni nation has lost a sun".[4]
Honours
Birabi street in New GRA, Port Harcourt and the Birabi Memorial Grammar School in Bori City are named after him.[5][6]
Personal life
Birabi was married to Victoria Birabi. He was the father of Third Republic senator and minister Bennett Birabi.[7] His Grandson, Naakuu Birabi, was Accord party's candidate for the Khana/Gokana federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections.[8]
References
- ↑ "Biography of Timothy Naakuu Paul Birabi: The Father of Modern Ogoni - Ogoninews". 7 January 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ↑ "President Buhari and The Hope of Ogoni Restoration". Latest News In Nigeria, Nigeria News Today, Your Online Nigerian Newspaper. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
- ↑ Reporter, Our (7 March 2014). "Hon T.N. Paul Birabi: The Forgotten Nigerian Nationalist". Pointblank News. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ↑ "Ogoni Remembers Founding Father, T.N. Paul Birabi In Historic March". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ↑ "allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Birabi Immortalised, Foundation Underway". allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
- ↑ "History of BMGS". BMGS Alumni. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ Daramola, Ayomikunle (24 June 2025). "Ex-senator Bennett Birabi faults Tinubu's decision to honour Ogoni Nine". TheCable. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Amos, Kobor (22 February 2023). "I will focus on agriculture, youth empowerment, says Paul-Birabi". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 28 July 2026.