King Alfred Diete-Spiff: Joined Nigerian military at 22, became governor at 24

King Alfred Diete-Spiff is one of the luckiest Nigerians in history. He joined the Nigerian military at 22 in 1964 and became governor just two years and 10 months later. Today, he is a king.

Here’s the summary:

– Born on 30 July, 1942, he joined the Nigerian Navy and was commissioned as a ship diving officer in 1964.

– In 1965, he became the first Commanding Officer of the NNS Quorra (later NNS Calabar).

– By January 1966, he was a member of the Wår Council and worked during the Nigerian Civil Wår era.

– On May 27, 1967, following General Yakubu Gowon’s creation of 12 states from Nigeria’s four regions, Diete-Spiff—then a Lieutenant Commander—was appointed Military Governor of the newly formed Rivers State at age 24. He was just two months away from being 25 years old at the time.

– He served for 8 years until July 1975 when Yakubu Gowon’s military regime was tøppled in 1975.

– Three years later in 1978, he was crowned king, the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, Bayelsa State.

– He clocked 83 30 July, 2025.

Credit: Ethnic African Stories