Nnamdi Azikiwe – Athlete
Before becoming the first President of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe worked as a journalist and set up a national newspaper in the Gold Coast. He was a very intelligent and hardworking student interested in research and pursuing degrees. While in the U.S. A, he worked as a teaching assistant often taking classes and helping graduate students when they needed help with research and academic assignments. He worked as a teaching assistant until he returned to Africa. Aside from all these, Nnamdi Azikiwe also indulged in sports as a professional athlete. He was so exceptional in sports so much so that in 1934, he was selected to represent Nigeria in the Long distance running events at the 1934 British Empire Games. Unfortunately, he was rejected by the organisers for dropping his Christian name. While schooling in the USA, he competed in several athletic competitions as well. He also played American football and wrote a letter to represent Nigeria at the 1932 Olympic games but he was not granted the chance.
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