In Nigeria, colonialism started with slave trade which began around 15th century. This didn’t spare anybody, as many Nigerians and other Africans were sold to different first class countries of the world. In the course of serving their masters some of them were subjected to change of names and many other things that were at odds to their personal wishes.

Despite the hard labour and ill-treatment that the slaves were being subjected to, many of them eventually became prominent persons in the world. Like bishop Ajayi Crowther and the rest.

John Roye the father of Edward James Roye, was one of those sold to American slave trader. John Roye, was an Igbo slave in Ohio, America who later gained his freedom and became an illustrious merchant with considerable wealth and land in many cities.

His son Edward James Roye has been celebrated as the first pure black person to become president of Liberia, Roye was a “pure descendant of the Igbo tribe from Nigeria”.

Edward, is noted in Nigeria as the first recorded lawyer of Igbo descent in history. In Liberia, however, Edward James Roye is well-known as the country’s fifth president whose administration was short-lived and who died under rather mysterious circumstances.

Between 1870 and 1871, Edward James Roye served as Liberia's fifth president before being overthrown.

In Newark, Ohio, Roye, an Igbo descended person, was born into a thriving African American family. In Terre Haute, Indiana, his father, John Roye, was in charge of a ferry that crossed the Wabash River.

Later, Edward bought a sizable amount of land in both Terre Haute and Vandalia in neighboring Illinois. He relocated to Terre Haute after his father passed away, opening the biggest barbershop in the area with the tallest barber pole in western Indiana.

Roye was officially sworn in as Liberia's president on January 3, 1870. The nation was experiencing political unrest when Roye took office, which was made worse by a financial crisis. Roye gave William Spencer Anderson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the responsibility of negotiating a new loan from British financiers in 1871.

David Chinery, the British consul-general, gave Anderson $500,000 under very strict conditions, but Anderson received harsh criticism and was eventually taken into custody.

The following year, Anderson allegedly faced trial for his involvement in obtaining the loan. Though acquitted, he was fatally shot as he left the courthouse. Roye started a program of reconstruction with the intention of building new roads and schools.

Roye was removed as president on October 26, 1871.


Source: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/meet-the-first-igbo-lawyer-who-became-liberias-5th-president-in-1870/amp

https://swifttalk.net/2022/11/16/the-first-igbo-lawyer-who-became-liberian-president/

That's true. Mods let celebrate this Nigerian of Igbo extraction.

Like serious

Don't mention anything Igbo with success. Some tribes here on Nairaland do have cardiac arrest each time that name "Igbo" is mentioned along side success

Pierocash:
Don't mention anything Igbo with success. Some tribes here on Nairaland do have cardiac arrest each time that name "Igbo" is mentioned along side success

Hahahaha...you know them. Demonizing Ndigbo gives them joy. Na envy sha.
Nlfpmod Seun

IGBO = I Go Before Others


Who is the first Nigerian Indigenous Governor General before Independence? Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.


Who is the First Civilian President of Nigeria? Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.


Who is the first Military Head of State of Nigeria? Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi.


Who is the first Indigenous Speaker of House of Representatives in Nigeria? Jaja Wachukwu.



Who is the first Senate President in Nigeria? Nwafor Orizu.



Who is the first Army General in Nigeria? Aguiyi Ironsi.


Who is the first acknowledged billionaire in Nigeria? Sir Louis Odumegwu-Ojukwu.


Who is the first Male Writer in Nigeria? Chinua Achebe.


Who is the most celebrated Nigerian writer that have won the highest number of international awards? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.



Who is the most celebrated female writer in Nigeria? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.


Who is the first Nigerian to become an Army General in USA Military? Amanda Azubuike.



Who is the first Nigerian to become a Captain in the US Navy? Commander Kelechi Ndukwe.



Who is the first Nigerian to ever become a Professor at Harvard University USA? Dahlia Umunna.



To all great sons and daughters of Igbo race, there is a reason they envy you, there is a reason they accuse you of so many things, there is a reason they gangup against you always, there is a reason they hate you and don't ever want you to succeed again, don't let their attacks, accusations and hatred worry you, stay focused on being great because that's who you are; you were created to be great and to go before others

IGBO AMAKA,..kwusie ya ike.

The mandate thief, Pandora is hopeful. He has a greater chance of becoming a Liberian president than become the president of Nigeria

Why just now?