sentences:  Courmo was closely involved with Diori during the independence struggle, serving as Secretary General of the PPN from 1946–1955.He was of Djerma ethnicity, born in the western city of Say, and attended the elite Ecole William Ponty in Dakar during French Colonial rule.Serving in a number of local and national posts during the transition from French rule, Courmo became Finance Minister in the PPN administration of 1958, holding that post in the first independent government of 1960.