Jaja Wachuku

**Jaja Anucha Ndubuisi Wachuku** (1 January 1918 – 7 November 1996) be Pan-Africanist plus Nigerian statesman, lawyer, politician, diplomat den humanitarian. He be de first Speaker of de Nigerian House of Representatives, plus de first Nigerian Ambassador den Permanent Representative insyd United Nations. Sana, Wachuku be de first Nigerian Minister for Foreign Affairs. One notable point be say Wachuku be Royal Prince of Ngwaland—descendant of twenty generations of African chiefs for de Igbo country insyd Eastern Nigeria.

Wachuku, wey people respect well well as Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, intervene plus de South African government den help rescue Nelson Mandela plus others from death sentence during de 1963–64 Rivonia Trial. Insyd ein 1962 diary from Lagos, Nigeria, Nelson Mandela write say: "Friday 18 May 1962: 1pm: We meet Mr Jaja Wachuku plus ein staff den we get one profitable discussion. Saturday 19 May 1962: We chop lunch plus Jaja Wachuku."

On Thursday 30 September 2010, Presid Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria award Wachuku posthumous special Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary honour for de outstanding work wey he do towards Nigeria ein development. Sana, for de 1 January 2014 100-year anniversary of Nigeria, after de Presidential Committee on de Centenary Celebrations nominate am for special recognition, Wachuku take honour as Hero of de Struggle for Nigeria ein Independence from Great Britain den Pioneer Political Leader by President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday 28 February 2014.

On Friday 6 March 2020, Trinity College Dublin insyd Ireland honour Wachuku plus one big portrait wey dem place inside de university ein Historical Society—wey be de same university wey Wachuku graduate from insyd 1944 plus first class honours degree for Legal Sciences, den he be member of de College Historical Society.

## Biography

### Family
Jaja Anucha Wachuku ein poppie, King Josaiah Ndubuisi Wachuku, be de Eze, Paramount Chief, Servant Leader den Head of all Ngwa for de former Aba Division insyd Eastern Nigeria. Jaja ein mommie, Queen Rebecca Ngwanchiwa Wachuku (née Nwaogwugwu), be pioneer wey dey fight for women demma rights plus one kind kind-hearted royal land-owner.

Ein apical ancestor Mgbawa move from Umulolo, Eziama Ntigha, for Nigeria ein current Abia State, around de last quarter of de 17th century to come settle for dem present Nbawsi homeland. Ein poppie ein poppie, Wachuku Ogbaraegbe, wey be top statesman den Merchant Prince, dey involved for de palm oil trade wey dey happen that time plus King Jaja of Opobo. Na for memory of de friendship, partnership den connection between de Wachuku family plus King Jaja of Opobo wey dem take name am Jaja. Ein second name, Anucha, if you talk am full full for Igbo language be "Anucha mba agaa n'ama ha", wey mean say "after celebrating victory over a people, you parade through demma town or village main square".

### Early education
For ein primary education, Wachuku attend Infant School for St. Georges NDP Umuomainta, Nbawsi, Abia State. He be school band leader den prefect for Government School Afikpo, Ebonyi State. He commot from there insyd 1930, after he come first for de whole Ogoja Province for de First School Leaving Certificate Examination. Dis first position give am automatic scholarship for secondary school education for Government College Umuahia, Abia State, from 1931 go 1936. Wachuku be House Prefect. He dey play tennis den cricket, plus he join de first eleven for de college ein football team. Sana, Wachuku learn vocational skills like carpentry, farming den metal works for Government College Umuahia.

From 1936 go 1937, Wachuku get scholarship go Yaba Higher College, Lagos. Ein poppie, Josaiah Ndubuisi Wachuku, comot am from Yaba den send am go Gold Coast People's College, Adidome. From there, he move go New Africa University College, Anloga, to prepare for further studies abroad. While he dey New Africa University College, he win one Foundation Scholarship den still win First National Prize for de Gold Coast (wey now be Ghana) for de World Essay Competition wey de New History Society of New York (led by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab) organise, on de topic: "How Can de People of de World Achieve Universal Disarmament?" From New Africa University College, Wachuku commot go University of Dublin ein Trinity College for Ireland.

### Dublin years
Wachuku be de first African wey win medal plus laureate for Oratory from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. He start school there insyd 1939, den for 1941, dem elect am as Executive Member of de College Historical Society. Wachuku represent University of Dublin for de 1943 Inter-University Debate wey dem hold for University of Durham. Dem call am to de Irish bar association — Kings Inn — for November 1944. He involve full full for Nigeria demma constitutional conferences den de struggle wey lead to independence from Great Britain. Wachuku practise law for Dublin for three years before he return go Nigeria insyd 1947. He graduate first-class BA Legal Science den be LL.B Prizeman for Roman Law, Constitutional Law plus Criminal Law. He sana serve as research fellow for de Department of International Law for Trinity College Dublin — de topic wey he work on be "The Juristic Status of Protectorates in International Law." From 1947 go 1996, Wachuku serve as barrister plus solicitor for De Supreme Court of Nigeria. He sana practise for de West African Court of Appeal.

While he dey Dublin, Wachuku be executive member for de Student Christian Movement (SCM). He lecture on different subjects for SCM Summer Schools wey dem hold for Great Britain plus Ireland, den he deliver de last seven lectures for Swanwick, Hampshire, on de topic: "Africa in de Post-War World." From 1939 go 1943, Wachuku be secretary of de Association of Students of African Descent (ASAD) wey dey Ireland. For 1944, dem elect am president of ASAD. Insyd 1945, he represent ASAD for de fifth Pan-African Congress wey dem hold for Manchester, UK — de event na part organisation by Kwame Nkrumah den big names like W. E. B. Du Bois, Jomo Kenyatta plus Hastings Banda dey insyd am.

From 1943 go 1945, Wachuku be founder, organiser plus secretary of de Dublin International Club. He serve as president of de club from 1945 go 1947, den resign when he return go Nigeria for 1947 to join de fight make colonial rule end den Nigeria fit get independence from Great Britain. Still for 1947, Wachuku serve for six weeks as Legal plus Constitutional Adviser to de National Council of Nigeria plus de Cameroons (NCNC) Pan-Nigeria Delegation wey go London to push for constitutional reforms for Nigeria. Trinity College Dublin award am LL.D (Honoris Causa).

### Return to Nigeria den politics
Wachuku return go Nigeria insyd 1947, as he travel plus Nnamdi Azikiwe insyd de same ship; den he dey present for Takoradi, Gold Coast (wey now be Ghana) when Azikiwe talk plus Joseph B. Danquah, wey be leader of de United Gold Coast Convention—about Kwame Nkrumah ein organisational ability. Azikiwe then tell Joseph B. Danquah make he invite Nkrumah come back home from England. That same year wey Wachuku return go Nigeria, he join NCNC, den dem elect am as de Party ein Legal Adviser plus Member of de National Executive Committee. He quick enter de nationalist struggle wey dey happen that period, den people prefer am as lecturer for Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos. For one of de lectures wey he give there, Wachuku stir national wahala when he declare say Lagos be "no-man's land" — meaning say de city belong to all Nigerians, den everybody get equal rights there. Apart from that, Wachuku serve as Principal Secretary of de Igbo State Union from 1948 go 1952. For 1949, he start one radical youth movement, wey be de New Africa Party, den join am plus de NCNC insyd 1950. Later, dem change NCNC to National Council of Nigerian Citizens. About Wachuku ein New Africa Party, inside one letter from London, wey dem write on 29 May 1951 plus send go W. E. B. Du Bois (we later include am insyd *The Correspondence of W. E. B. Du Bois*), George Padmore talk say: "Enclosed are a few clippings from West Africa. You will no doubt remember Jaja Wachuku who was a delegate to the Fifth Pan-African Congress. He has recently started a Pan-African Party in Nigeria to spread the ideas of which you are the worthy father...."

Wachuku be co-founder plus original shareholder, along plus Nnamdi Azikiwe, of de African Continental Bank (ACB), den he be first regional director of de bank from 1948 go 1952. As ACB Director, he help open branches for Aba, Calabar, Port Harcourt plus Enugu. Wachuku start ein political career from grassroots level. Insyd 1948, dem first nominate am village councillor, den later he join de Nsulu Group Council. From 1949 go 1952, he be Member of de Ngwa Native Authority, Okpuala Ngwa. For 1951, he enter regional politics den dem elect am Second Member for Aba Division inside de Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly. From 1952 go 1953, Wachuku get position as Deputy Leader of de NCNC plus Chairman of de Parliamentary Party during de crisis wey happen inside Nigeria ein Eastern Region — wey lead to de dissolution of de Eastern House of Assembly. Sana, from 1952 go 1953, he serve as Chairman of de Eastern Regional Scholarship Board plus Member of de Finance Committee for de House of Representatives of Nigeria. Wachuku go de 1953 Constitutional Conference for London as Alternate Delegate plus Adviser to de Nigerian Independence Party (NIP) — one break-away group wey dem form after de NCNC crisis wey happen for 1953.

Insyd 1954, Wachuku lose de Eastern Regional election den he no be member of de House of Representatives again. Later inside 1954, when dem introduce direct election principle to de House of Representatives, dem re-elect am First Member for Aba Division inside de House of Representatives; plus he be member of United Nigeria Independence Party — wey be merger of NIP plus anoda party. Insyd 1957, Wachuku become Deputy Leader of opposition when he join NCNC. From 1957 go 1959, he serve as board member for de Electricity Corporation of Nigeria. Sana, inside 1957, for de next three years, dem appoint am as member of de Local Education Authority plus Chairman of de Board of Education inside Eastern Region of Nigeria. During dis same time, Wachuku sana serve as Chairman of Aba Divisional Committee of de NCNC.

Insyd 1957, Wachuku be Leader of de Nigerian Federation Delegation wey go de Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Meeting wey dem hold for India, Pakistan plus Ceylon (wey now be Sri Lanka). He sana represent Nigeria for Liberia during de opening of de New Parliament Building for Monrovia. From 1958 go 1959, Wachuku serve as chairman of de Business Committee inside de House of Representatives of Nigeria. He sana be member of de Parliamentary Committee wey work on Nigerianization of de Federal Civil Service. He write de committee ein Report plus assistance from Michael O. Ani. Insyd 1959, Wachuku win re-election go House of Representatives from Aba Division; den later dem elect am as de first indigenous Speaker of de Nigerian House of Representatives.

### Marriage
Insyd 1951, Wachuku marry ein fellow Nigerian: Rhoda Idu Oona Onumonu (1920–1994). She dey call ein husband "Anucha" plus love am well. She go primary school for Oguta, Imo State; then later she continue for Women Training College, Umuahia; plus Achimota College for Gold Coast (Ghana). She sana study for Glasgow plus West of Scotland College of Domestic Science.

Wachuku plus Rhoda get five kiddies, dem be: Chinedum, Nwabueze (wey marry Professor Chuka Nwokolo plus now dey go by Mrs. Nwabueze Nwokolo), Ndubuisi (wey marry Ukachi, née Offurum), Emenuwa (wey marry Ijeoma, née Ekwulugo) plus Idu. Sana, after de heavy Nigerian–Biafran civil war wey scatter things, Wachuku adopt plenty orphans like: John Ochiabuto, James Ikechukwu, Nwaobilor, Ebere, Nkemdilim, Sylvia Amama, Efuru, etc.

### First Speaker of de House
From 1959 go 1960, Wachuku be de first indigenous Speaker of de House of Representatives of Nigeria. He take over from Sir Frederic Metcalfe from Great Britain, wey be Speaker of de House from 1955 go 1959. During Wachuku ein time as Speaker, de "State Opening of Parliament" happen "on October 3, 1960, by her Majesty’s Special Representative, Princess Alexandra of Kent." De important moment be say as First Speaker of de House, Wachuku receive Nigeria ein Instrument of Independence — wey people dey call Freedom Charter — on Saturday 1 October 1960 from Princess Alexandra of Kent — wey be Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain ein rep for de Nigerian Independence ceremony. Insyd ein 1960 United States tour as Speaker of de House of Representatives, Wachuku receive big honour plus dem present am de City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Blue Seal plus Key to de City of Atlanta, Georgia. As Speaker of de House, den later on, Wachuku dey support African Americans plus all Americans den people of goodwill wey dey stand for de kind humane plus meaningful need for proper den respectful racial equality.

Notably, na during dis period plus during ein years as First Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister wey Wachuku build de well-known friendship wey he get plus three Presidents of de United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy plus Lyndon B. Johnson. He sana be close friends plus Sam Rayburn — wey be de 48th, 50th plus 52nd Speaker of de United States House of Representatives — Adlai Stevenson, Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Anderson, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, Henry Ford II, Israel ein Golda Meir, Nikita Khrushchev, plus plenty other leaders den people across de world.

### First Ambassador to de United Nations
Notably, *Time* magazine describe am as "Nigeria's dynamic U.N. Ambassador" — dem talk say because of ein worthy, very lively plus enthusiastic diplomatic style wey carry plenty energy, wisdom plus strong will: "Nigeria, less than two months after winning its independence, is on its way to becoming one of the major forces in Africa."

From 1960 go 1961, Wachuku serve as First Ambassador plus Permanent Representative of Nigeria to de United Nations for New York, plus Federal Minister for Economic Development. He raise Nigeria ein flag as de 99th member of de United Nations on 7 October 1960. Because of dat, Wachuku play big role for Nigeria to become de 58th Member State of de United Nations Educational, Scientific plus Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday 14 November 1960. Sana, as First Ambassador of Nigeria to de United Nations, Wachuku represent de country for de independence celebration of Tanganyika — wey now dey known as United Republic of Tanzania. He pretend sleep during one UN meeting for 1960 after dem no give am chance to talk ein mind against one racial remark. For de United Nations, plus support from UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld, de member nations elect Wachuku as de first African wey go chair one United Nations Conciliation Commission, wey make am Chairman of de Conciliation Commission for Congo from January go March 1961. De first person wey suggest plus nominate Wachuku as mediator for Congo be Paul-Henri Spaak from Belgium, wey Wachuku respond positively but say U Thant, Cyrille Adoula plus Moïse Tshombe must gree first.

After cabinet reshuffle wey happen at Nigeria ein independence time, Wachuku take appointment as Minister of Economic Development plus Member of de First Nigerian Delegation wey dey handle Nigeria ein admission into de United Nations. Just before he commot from New York, Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa call am go ein hotel suite den talk say he go leave am behind as Leader of de Delegation plus Ambassador plus Permanent Representative of Nigeria to de United Nations. Wachuku protest give Prime Minister Balewa — saying say he no join de Delegation with intention to stay for New York, plus he tell ein wife, Rhoda, say he go only dey away for one week. Balewa reply say: "No worry, I go tell am when I reach Lagos."

Insyd de United Nations, he quickly stand out for service to humankind — including one speech wey he give to de General Assembly wey both national plus international media hail because of how he blast de Eastern den Western Blocs for not settling deir differences, when he talk say: "I am losing confidence in de great powers. Dem dey climb from pedestal of greatness go pedestal of insanity. We dey expect leadership from dem; dem dey give us destruction. We dey expect wisdom from dem; dem dey give us lack of knowledge...."

Under Wachuku ein leadership for de United Nations, both de Nigerian Army plus de Nigerian Police Force first show demselves for de UN peacekeeping efforts. During ein time for de United Nations, Nigeria ein Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi take appointment as Commander of de United Nations Peacekeeping Force for Congo. Sana, de first Nigerian Permanent Secretary, Mr. Francis Nwokedi, take retention by de United Nations to help reorganise de Civil Service for Congo. Wachuku still secure appointment of de first African Under-Secretary-General for de United Nations — Nigeria ein Godfrey K. J. Amachree — wey take position as UN Under Secretary-General for Trusteeship plus Non-Self-Governing Territories.
### Minister for Foreign Affairs
Insyd 1961, Wachuku take appointment as Nigeria ein first Minister of Foreign Affairs plus Commonwealth Relations. Wachuku serve for dat position till 1965. Before Wachuku enter dat role, Prime Minister Balewa dey act as de country ein foreign affairs advocate too.

As e take concern Wachuku becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs plus Commonwealth Relations, de last colonial Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir James Wilson Robertson, send one report go Iain Macleod, UK Secretary of State for de Colonies. He talk say:"It no look likely say de Prime Minister go make plenty changes for ein Cabinet after independence. I believe he go recommend Mr. Jaja Wachuku give me to be Foreign Minister; not Mallam Maitama Sule, wey dem dey talk say fit get de position. Mr. Wachuku be lawyer from de Eastern Region plus he dey serve now as Speaker of de House of Representatives. He be one smart young man wey before dey hold some kind extreme nationalist views, but now he dey calm down. If de Prime Minister fit control am well, he fit do de work correct. He go likely join am plus one Northerner as Minister of State."On 14 July 1962, President Hamani Diori of de Republic of Niger honour Wachuku plus de insignia of Commander of de Order of de Niger Republic—for "services to de People of de Republic of Niger". As Foreign Affairs Minister, Wachuku organise de Afro/Asian group of States, plus he work make Liberia enter de United Nations Security Council, plus Ethiopia enter de UN Economic plus Social Council. He sana push forward amendment of de United Nations Charter—wey lead to increase of de Security Council from eleven go fifteen—make e fit include African nations.

Na around dis period for Nigeria ein history wey Ambassador Owen W. Roberts, wey serve as United States Political Officer for Lagos from 1964 go 1965, talk say:

"Nigerians, no matter dem tribe, be very strong plus assertive group. Foreign Minister Jaja Wachuku surprise many American diplomats because he see ein status as equal plus de British, French, German or Russian Ministers. Wachuku demand serious attention plus respect. Nigerians be independent people, den dem still dey like dat. Senior U.S. officials no dey used to handling Africans wey get strong mind plus bold nature like how Nigerians dey. Me I like am, because Nigerians always dey open, dem go tell you straight de issue wey dey. Dem deserve respect den help make Africans get am. Ambassador Matthews no be de type wey go walk go meet Prime Minister Balewa or Foreign Minister Jaja Wachuku to show dem how to do deir work…."

As Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria, Wachuku prefer quiet diplomacy, especially plus de two big Anglo-American powers: Great Britain plus de United States — wey he use search for answers to continental plus international problems. For example, plenty wahala burst because of de Rivonia Trial wey happen for South Africa insyd 1963 after dem arrest Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Denis Goldberg, Raymond Mhlaba, Andrew Mlangeni, Lionel Bernstein plus others. Dem, plus Nelson Mandela wey dey serve sentence from ein 1962 conviction, face charges of "sabotage den... conspiracy to overthrow de Government by revolution plus by assisting an armed invasion of South Africa by foreign troops." Dem charges be treasonable den carry death penalty. Wachuku quietly call Lord Head, wey be British High Commissioner for Lagos, plus United States Ambassador Joseph Palmer II — den strongly beg dem make dem talk to deir governments make dem pressure de apartheid regime for South Africa — make dem no put death sentence on Mandela plus de others. Wachuku use dis same quiet diplomacy method for de matter talk plus US Secretary of State Dean Rusk den British Foreign Secretary Lord Home. Later on, Lionel Bernstein get acquittal, den Mandela plus de rest receive life imprisonment terms.

De humane den successful diplomatic efforts wey Wachuku use try save Mandela plus de others from death sentence during de Rivonia Trial get more recognition from Professor Kenneth S. Broun — Henry Brandis Professor of Law Emeritus from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — insyd ein published book *Saving Nelson Mandela: The Rivonia Trial and the Fate of South Africa*. Professor Broun point out say Sir Hugh Stephenson, wey be United Kingdom ein Ambassador to South Africa, meet plus Foreign Minister Hilgard Muller of South Africa on top "de Wachuku request" say make dem no sentence Mandela plus de others to death. When Stephenson mention Wachuku ein stand give Muller, Muller respond say Wachuku ein position be "very interesting". Muller continue say de South African government get high respect for Wachuku plus that for de United Nations General Assembly, Wachuku make one kind oneness-of-humankind "helpful speech" wey he talk say "white people were also Africans". After dat, Stephenson report give de British government den Wachuku say ein impression be say "death sentences would not be carried out" for Mandela plus de others — based on de request wey Wachuku make.

Wachuku, just like how Hegel describe historical individual, get de ability to stand outside de limits of ein time, place den sense history wey dey unfold. He dey search for vindication inside historical reality. The Right Honourable Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa notice plus appreciate Wachuku ein exceptional nature; he dey always tell am say he dey ten or more years ahead of ein Government cabinet colleagues. Wachuku ein deep historical sense show early when, insyd 1947, he declare Lagos as All-Nigerian city — far before dat city turn federal territory. He sana foresee de risk wey dey insyd recognising military coup as legit way to change government. For Ethiopia, he firmly reject recognition give de Nicolas Grunitzky Government for Togo after de first coup wey happen for dat country on 13 January 1963. Wachuku believe say, if dat first African coup wey Togolese army do get recognition as legal method to take power, then coup-making go spread across Africa.

Insyd Addis Ababa, during de Inaugural Conference of de Organization of African Unity (OAU), Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia sit Wachuku down insyd presence of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, den beg Balewa make he talk to Wachuku say make he gree allow de Togolese government take part inside dat first OAU Conference. Wachuku joke small, remind Emperor Haile Selassie plus Prime Minister Balewa say, as Foreign Minister, he just be number three inside Nigerian Government, plus say coup plotters dey target numbers one plus two — President or Head of State plus Prime Minister. Wachuku add say by de time coup makers reach number three, he go dey rest for ein village.

Insyd de end, Wachuku no gree change ein diplomatic position, say he no go allow Togo participate because de Togolese Government enter power through coup. So Togo come turn de only independent African country wey no represent demself for de Inaugural Conference of de OAU. History don already tell us whether Wachuku stand dey right or wrong. Even Kwame Nkrumah, wey be one of de most vocal supporters of de Togolese government wey enter through coup, later fall victim of de coup wahala. As for Wachuku, he resign from Nigerian parliament plus government exactly midday on 14 January 1966 — twelve hours before de first Nigerian military coup wey happen on 15 January 1966 led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.

Insyd one public lecture wey dem title "Nigeria: The Blackman's Burden", wey happen on 24 February 2005 for de Nigerian Institute of International Affairs to mark de 28th Anniversary of de Black plus African Festival of Arts and Culture den de 2005 Black History Month, dem talk about Wachuku during Nigeria ein founding period for Foreign Policy. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi (wey be Nigerian External Affairs Minister from 1985 go 1987) talk say:Karl Marx must have had Togo in mind when he wrote in the Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Napoleon, "Hegel says somewhere that all great events and personalities in world history reappear in one fashion or another. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce". In 1963, when President Sylvanus Olympio was assassinated, Wachuku condemned the action and added that, for security reasons, the Nigerian boundary was the Togo–Ghana boundary. He was roundly condemned. Looks like he was just speaking forty years out of turn. He would be pleased to know that Nigeria had caught up with him. And that should also be a lesson to those who think that Nigerian foreign policy started and ended up with them.As Foreign Affairs Minister, Wachuku attend de third annual conference of de American Society of African Culture (AMSAC), wey dem hold for Philadelphia inside 1960. About de impact wey Wachuku bring to dat AMSAC conference, historian Michael Crowder later write say:De continuous interest wey dey among de black intelligentsia for African culture show up when dem form de American Society of African Culture (AMSAC) insyd 1956 — wey dem limit membership only to people of African descent. Ein third annual conference wey happen for Philadelphia insyd 1960 focus on de matter of 'African Unities plus Pan-Africanism', den dat event fit stand as one major moment inside de history of de movement. Some of de people wey show for dat conference get strong links go de Pan-Africanist past — like Rayford W. Logan, wey play big role during de time of Pan-African congresses after de First World War; Jean Price-Mars, Haitian diplomat, philosopher wey dey inside négritude movement, den President of Société Africaine de Culture for Paris; plus Jaja Wachuku, wey attend de 1945 Pan-African Congress, plus wey dey serve insyd 1960 as Foreign Minister of Nigeria.

### Aviation minister den 1966 coup
From 1965 go midday on 14 January 1966, Wachuku serve as Nigeria ein Minister of Aviation. Most of de aviation laws wey dey Nigeria now get ein signature on top. Wachuku start training programmes for Nigeria ein first group of Flight Officers plus Ground Officers. De Aviation Training Centre for Zaria na during ein time as Minister wey dem establish am.

Notably, de visionary mind plus upright zeal wey Wachuku get no go well plus ein party, de NCNC — de same party wey see Mr. A. K. Blankson (Chairman of Nigeria Airways Board plus Chairman of de party ein Central Working Committee) as de person wey represent NCNC interest inside de spoils system. Wachuku remove Blankson from de position of Nigeria Airways Board Chairman, as Blankson dey act like say ministerial control no fit reach am. Ein party, de NCNC, demand make dem reinstate Blankson — if not, dem threaten say dem go comot all dem Ministers from de coalition government. Dis bring potential crisis wey fit worsen de already serious state of emergency wey dey Nigeria dat time.

Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa beg Wachuku say make he reinstate de Nigeria Airways Board Chairman den accept another ministry. Wachuku refuse. Balewa even ask Wachuku ein wife, Rhoda Idu Jaja Wachuku, make she try beg am — but still, Wachuku no gree den he tender ein resignation from Parliament plus as Executive Member of Government around midday 14 January 1966. Balewa never accept Wachuku ein resignation when de army strike by midnight — just twelve hours later — wey start de era of military coups for Nigeria. Soldiers surround Wachuku ein official residence for 7, Okotie-Eboh Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. Ein younger brother: Kennedy Madu Wachuku (father of Ugonna Wachuku) dey with am dat day. Wachuku look through window early morning den ask de soldiers: "What are you boys doing here?" One soldier reply: "Good morning, Sir. But haven’t you heard what is happening in de country?" Wachuku answer: "Yes. I know you boys have taken over de Government." De soldier talk: "Do not be afraid, Sir. We have come to protect you for being an honest Government Minister." Wachuku survive de military coup.

### Civil war insyd Nigeria
After de Nigerian–Biafran war start from July 1967 go January 1970, Wachuku retire go ein home town — first Aba, then later move go ein village Nbawsi when Aba fall. During de war, he join de struggle of ein Igbo people to fight for freedom den justice — against de same country wey reject dem plus no protect dem from genocide den brutality from roaming soldiers den citizens. Later for de war, Wachuku clash plus Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu ein Government because he talk against de use of child soldiers. Dem arrest am den detain am. But after de war end, one young Nigerian Army Officer wey be Theophilus Danjuma release am. 

De Nigerian soldiers shock plus feel bad say de first Speaker of de House of Representatives, first Ambassador to de United Nations plus first Foreign Affairs Minister dey inside detention just because he speak ein mind plus stand for human rights. So Theophilus Danjuma plus ein battalion give Wachuku full protection plus escort am go home. He manage protect ein big den powerful library for Nbawsi, Abia State — wey regional den national media talk say na de biggest one-man library for West Africa. Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa used to call Wachuku de most "Bookish Minister".

After de Biafran war, Wachuku start dey do Community development work while still dey practise ein law profession. From 1970 go 1978, he serve as Chairman of Nbawsi plus Umuomainta Town Council, den also as Chairman of Nsulu Community Council. He sana be Founding Member of de Movement wey push for creation of Imo State, den until he die, he lead de Movement wey dey fight make Aba State come true.

### Second Republic politics
Insyd Nigeria ein Second Republic (1979 go 1984), Wachuku, under de Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), get election twice (1978 plus 1983) as Senator representing Aba Senatorial Zone — for Africa ein most populous country. For de Senate of Nigeria, he become NPP Leader plus Chairman for de Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During dat time, he make plenty dangerous secret trips go South Africa — meet plus President Pieter Willem Botha — to put pressure on am make he end de wicked apartheid system; plus call for unconditional pardon plus release of Nelson Mandela plus other political prisoners.

Na dis same period wey Wachuku, on floor of de Nigerian Senate, drop ein famous prophetic statement say de defeat of apartheid go "flow from de barrels of dialogue and contact, not from the barrels of isolation and guns...". Later, dem comot am from de Foreign Relations Committee because he openly call for dialogue plus engagement with South Africa. During de 1990s, when Nigeria start proper diplomatic relations plus South Africa, many big politicians plus historians for Nigeria begin call say dem owe Wachuku apology for how dem treat am. Inside 1983, dem re-elect am go Nigerian Senate again until military coup strike inside December 1983.

## Honours den awards
Wachuku receive plenty honours during ein lifetime. For Nigeria, he hold de chieftaincy title of *Ugo Ngwa* — wey mean Eagle den Pride of Ngwa People. Dem first confer dis title on am from de whole Ngwa nation for 1949, but he fit take formal investiture only for 1971. Other honours wey Wachuku get include: City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Blue Seal; Key to de City of Atlanta, Georgia; *Time* "Pride of Africa" Commendation; Commander of de Order of Niger Republic; CFR Nigeria: Commander of de Order of de Federal Republic of Nigeria; LL.D: Doctor of Laws *Honoris Causa* by Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland; KSC: Knight of Saint Christopher by de Anglican Church Nigeria; *Enyi Abia* (wey mean Elephant of Abia — symbol of wisdom, memory den strength), wey be Abia State chieftaincy title; plus Merit Award from de Government of Abia State. Posthumous honours wey come later include de special Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary Award wey President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria confer on Wachuku on 30 September 2010. Wachuku sana get Hero of de Struggle for Nigeria ein Independence from Great Britain plus Pioneer Political Leader honour from President Jonathan on 28 February 2014 during Nigeria ein 100-year anniversary celebration. On Friday 6 March 2020, Trinity College Dublin: University of Dublin: Ireland give am de "Prominent Portrait" honour — wey dem unveil during de Two Hundred den Fifty Years Anniversary of de college ein Historical Society: 1770–2020.

## Death
Wachuku, wey dem born insyd 1918, be 78 years old when he pass away for University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu — late morning of Thursday, 7 November 1996. Wachuku ein nephew, author Ugonna Wachuku, write one poetic dedication give ein uncle titled: *Some Memories Never Die*. On 20 October 1961, *Time* magazine publish one article den news report on Wachuku plus ein diplomatic work for de United Nations — dem title am: *"Pride of Africa"*.

## References


## Sources
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*Australia Department of External Affairs. *Current Notes on International Affairs*, Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia, 1972
*Barros, Romeo Julius. *African States and the United Nations Versus Apartheid: The Efforts of the African States to Affect South Africa's Apartheid Policy Through the United Nations*, Carlton Press, 1967
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## External links
*Some Videos of Jaja Wachuku from United Nations Audiovisual Library 
*White House: State Department Documents on Jaja Wachuku 
*United Nations Security Council: Photo: 9 December 1964: Jaja Wachuku: Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria 
*Foreign Affairs Minister Wachuku and Prime Minister Balewa: 25 - 28 July 1961 Visit to USA at invitation of President Kennedy 
*''Time'' Magazine's "Pride of Africa" article on Jaja Wachuku 
*University of Pennsylvania: Photo of Jaja Wachuku with Rockefeller and others
*University of Pennsylvania: Picture of Jaja Wachuku and others
*University of Pennsylvania: Photo of Jaja Wachuku and Marian Anderson
*Some Memories Never Die: A Poetic Dedication to Jaja Wachuku
*Album of Jaja Wachuku Pictures
*Biographical Dictionary Entry on Jaja Wachuku Archived 20 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
*Nigeria at UNESCO