It has been an annual ritual for January 15, of every year to be
remembered in special ways by various political interest groups,
including the Nigerian Armed Forces. The reason for this is not
farfetched. Apart from the day Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914 and the
day she got her Independence from the British colonialists, January 15,
1966 was the day that the destiny of Nigeria was totally and painfully
redefined. It was the day a bloody coup that ended the First Republic
and brought in the military also triggered a counter-coup that plunged
Nigeria into its historic civil war.
Instructively, it was also on January 15, 1970 that the civil war formally ended with the surrender of Biafra to the Federal Military Government led by General Yakubu Gowon. Today, January 15th is set aside to honour the valorous exploits and sacrifices of the Nigerian fallen troops in the various military conflicts for the preservation of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and maintenance of peace around the world.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the first coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. It was unique in that some of the leaders killed during the coup, particularly Chief Samuel Akintola, the late Premier of the old Western Region and Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, the late first Finance Minister of the Federation, were also honoured with fanfare in their respective home states. This was a departure from the past when more attention was beamed on such political giants, as late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and others who lost their lives in the coup.
It is gratifying to note that the ethnic and sectional venom that this date (and the counter-coup date of July 1966) elicited have generally reduced. Though painful, we must see them as part of our history. We should see this date as a moment for sobre reflection on the travails, trials and triumphs Nigeria has gone through on our way to nationhood. We must bear in mind that no nation exists on earth which does not have its own rough road to greatness. Nothing good comes easy.
Having used the civil war to illustrate our collective decision to remain one country, we must commit ourselves, both as individuals and groups, to making Nigeria work. It is in the interest of all Nigerians that this nation works because Nigeria contains the fabric of uncommon greatness waiting to be fostered.
The history and lessons of January 15th 1966 should be carefully harnessed and taught in our schools in a manner that will commit our future generations to the actualisation of the Nigeria of our dreams.
Instructively, it was also on January 15, 1970 that the civil war formally ended with the surrender of Biafra to the Federal Military Government led by General Yakubu Gowon. Today, January 15th is set aside to honour the valorous exploits and sacrifices of the Nigerian fallen troops in the various military conflicts for the preservation of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and maintenance of peace around the world.
This year marked the 50th anniversary of the first coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. It was unique in that some of the leaders killed during the coup, particularly Chief Samuel Akintola, the late Premier of the old Western Region and Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, the late first Finance Minister of the Federation, were also honoured with fanfare in their respective home states. This was a departure from the past when more attention was beamed on such political giants, as late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and others who lost their lives in the coup.
It is gratifying to note that the ethnic and sectional venom that this date (and the counter-coup date of July 1966) elicited have generally reduced. Though painful, we must see them as part of our history. We should see this date as a moment for sobre reflection on the travails, trials and triumphs Nigeria has gone through on our way to nationhood. We must bear in mind that no nation exists on earth which does not have its own rough road to greatness. Nothing good comes easy.
Having used the civil war to illustrate our collective decision to remain one country, we must commit ourselves, both as individuals and groups, to making Nigeria work. It is in the interest of all Nigerians that this nation works because Nigeria contains the fabric of uncommon greatness waiting to be fostered.
The history and lessons of January 15th 1966 should be carefully harnessed and taught in our schools in a manner that will commit our future generations to the actualisation of the Nigeria of our dreams.
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