Murtala Nyako | |
---|---|
Governor of Adamawa State | |
In office 29 April 2008 – impeached 15 july 2014 |
|
Preceded by | James Shaibu Barka |
Succeeded by | Umaru Fintiri |
In office 29 May 2007 – 26 February 2008 |
|
Preceded by | Boni Haruna |
Succeeded by | James Shaibu Barka |
Chief of Naval Staff | |
In office 1990–1992 |
|
Preceded by | Rear Adm. P.S. Koshoni |
Succeeded by | Vice Adm. D.P. Omotsola |
Governor of Niger State | |
In office February 1976 – December 1977 |
|
Succeeded by | Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe |
Personal details | |
Born |
Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State, Nigeria |
27 August 1942
Political party | All Progressive Congress |
Alma mater | Britannia Royal Naval College |
Website | Personal Website |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Nigeria |
Service/branch | Nigerian Navy |
Years of service | 1963-1993 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), GCON, CFR: rcds, D.Agric. (H.C.) was elected Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Nigeria, taking office in May 2007. Prior to then he served in the Navy, at one time being military governor of Niger State, and being appointed Chief of Naval Staff in December 1989.
Murtala Hamman-Yero Nyako was born at Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State on 27 August 1943. His father, Alhaji Hamman-Yero, was a notable merchant and produce buying agent, whose mercantile activities was directly responsible for the establishment of John Holts and Sons Ltd centre at Mayo-Belwa. His mother, Hajiya Maryam Daso, was a housewife who was keen on Islamic studies and herbal medicine.
He started his western education at Mayo-Belwa Elementary School in January 1952, proceeded to Yola Middle School in January 1955 and commenced his secondary school education in the same school in January 1958. He was noted whilst there for his academic achievements and sporting prowess.
Nyako joined the Royal Nigerian Navy in June 1963 as an officer cadet, commenced his officer training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England in September 1963, was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in September 1965 and completed his initial naval training in September 1965.
Nyako returned to Nigeria in October 1966 to serve in the Nigerian Navy until September 1993. During that period, he held a number of on-board and shore appointments. He was at one time a Commanding Officer of a Patrol craft, a Landing craft and the first missile carrying ship of the Nigerian Navy. In February 1976, General Murtala Muhammad appointed Nyako governor of the newly formed Niger State, which had been split out from Sokoto State. He served in this post until December 1977. Later he became the Chief of Naval Operations at the Naval Headquarters, the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command and the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Training Command from where he was appointed the Chief of Naval Staff in January 1990. Two years later, he was appointed the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff and retired from the Service in September 1993 with the rank of Vice Admiral.
Nyako was born a cattle owner as his mother had been allocated some cows for her offspring before he was born. He was, therefore, most involved with cattle rearing and later general agricultural development while he was in the Naval Service. The main issue as he understood it was improving substantially the productivity of Nigeria's agricultural units and the quality of their products. He commenced a sustainable cross-breeding programme of his local cattle with exotic superior sires in 1990 with very satisfactory results. He also got involved in the production of horticultural crops, and his first commercial export of musk melons to Europe using chartered aircraft took place in January 1990. Exotic mangoes from his mango orchard of 50,000 trees were first exported to Europe in 1993. He is also presently involved in the modern production of dates, passionfruit, banana, pasture development, breeding of boar goats and fish farming.