Dr. Alvan Ikoku (1900-1971)
DR. Alvan Ikoku, educationist and politician, was born at Amanagwu in Imo State on 1st August 1900, to a wealthy merchant family. He trained as a teacher, and later bagged a degree in Philosophy. In 1931, Ikoku resigned to establish his own college called the Aggrey Memorial College, named after the eminent Ghanaian educationist, Dr Aggrey.
Ikoku was actively involved in the activities of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and he became its National President in 1955. He also participated in politics, serving both in the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly as well as the Legislative Council in Lagos. While in government, he applied his influence to foster the interests education. He died on 18th November 1971.
Dr. Ikoku's portrait appears on the N10 Note