Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1916–1989

Diori Hamani was part of the French-imposed government before Niger gained independence, and he went on to be the country's first president. He ruled from 1969 until 1974, when he was overthrown by a military coup. The coup was organized by General Seyni Kountche, who opposed Hamani's handling of the government and his poor response to a huge drought.