and a Senior Minister with a responsible portfolio in Education, Aliyu Makama became a titan in the affairs of the North and as a member of Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). He rose to the position of Party Treasurer and took charge of the financial aspects of the NPC. He held the position throughout the existence of the Party. Though he is older than Sardauna of Sokoto, he was generally regarded as one of the closest allies and confidants to Sardauna. It was all due to the ultimate show of trust by the Sardauna of Sokoto to Aliyu Makama Bida. Aliyu frequently acted as Premier of Northern Nigeria any time the Premier travelled outside and the appointment was by Sardauna himself. Aliyu also served as the Northern Minister of Finance throughout the life span of their government. Aliyu Makama Nupe was also a member of the Civil Defence before he became Sector Commander for Niger. He was Chairman Jama’atu Nasrul Islam. The tough, dogged and trustworthy politician was also an athlete in his school days. He left an unbroken record of 30 years in 100 yards sprint. The elder statesman died in 1980 as the first Patron of then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN); a party considered as an offshoot of the Northern People Congress (NPC). Aliyu Mahmud Makama Bida was honoured with officer of Order of British Empire, (OBE) before he died. Death Alhaji Aliyu Makama died in 1980 of unknown causes. References Further reading The Makers of Northern Nigeria, by Political Parties. Aboki prints Nigeria, North Nigeria regions, 1965 Politics and Doing in North Region Nigeria. African prints and published, 1960–1999 Nigerian with Surname. Odinka Nigeria, 1900–1999 The Northern Nigeria Makers of Politics, Sokoto Nigeria. 1900–1960 Politics and Traditions, Cultural Continuity in North Nigeria. Princeton University Press. 1942. Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation. pp. 381–38, Africa World Press, 2004 1900s births 1980 deaths Northern People's Congress politicians 20th-century Nigerian politicians People of colonial Nigeria People from Niger State