Hasan Gipo is an activist and trader who lives in an elite area of Surabaya. He used this opportunity to build relationships with movement activists in Surabaya. Among others, HOS Cokroaminoto and Dr Soetomo. From there, they became acquainted with Soekarno, Kartosuwiryo, Muso, and SK Trimurti, who were students of HOS Cokroaminoto. From here, the activists began to plan for independence.
He was then actively involved in the founding of Nahdlatul Wathan (1914), even though he was not listed as an administrator. He was also a participant in the discussion in the Taswirul Afkar forum (1916). He was also actively involved in Nahdlatul Tujjar (1918).
The First Chairman of NU
Hasan Gipo is a “limited edition” figure. He mastered general science and was known to be the only KH Wahab Hasbullah student capable and skilled in reading and writing Latin writing. In addition, he is also very familiar with the surrounding community. On this basis, Hasan Gipo was appointed as NU’s first Chairman (Tanfidziyah). The appointment was led by Kiai Wahab Hasbullah in the Bubutan area of Surabaya. KH Hasyim Asy’ari also approved the proposal.
At that time, NU was still in the form of an embryo where Rais Syuriah was KH Said from Paneleh, Surabaya and KH Asy’ari was chosen as Rais Akbar of Hoofdbestuur Nahdlatoel Oelama (HBNO) with KH Wahab Hasbullah as Katib ‘Am.
Hasan Gipo served for approximately three years. After that, the leadership of Tanfidziyah NU was succeeded by KH Noor from Sawah Pulo, Surabaya, at the 3rd Congress in Semarang.