Jaja Wachuku

Jaja Anucha Wachuku (1 January 1918 – 7 November 1996) was a Nigerian lawyer, politician, diplomat and statesman. He was the first Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, the first Nigerian and African to serve as President of the United Nations General Assembly, and Nigeria's first Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Quotes

• "I am losing confidence in the great powers. They are climbing from the pedestal of greatness to the pedestal of insanity. We expect leadership from them; they give us destruction. We expect wisdom from them; they give us lack of knowledge. We expect objectivity from them; they present us with blurred vision."
  • Jaja Wachuku speaking on the responsibility of the world's great powers at the United Nations.

• "We, the smaller states, will produce one, and will give him our fullest support. That is how we do things in Africa."
  • Jaja Wachuku speaking on African unity and support among smaller nations.

• "We do not agree with the Soviet Union about the troika proposal. That would not work."
  • Jaja Wachuku discussing the Soviet Union's troika proposal.

• "I am serving notice..."
  • Jaja Wachuku speaking during discussions at the United Nations.

• "Good and well-meaning Nigerians should make sure that this does not generate into a loss of opportunity of democracy."
  • Jaja Wachuku speaking on safeguarding Nigeria's democracy.