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Nigerians have been urged to renew their commitment to national unity and patriotism.
President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and other eminent Nigerians made the call, yesterday, in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on the occasion of the 60th memorial anniversary of the Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.
The leaders extolled the virtues of Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was assassinated on July 29, 1966, and urged Nigerians to reflect on the lessons of history and work collectively towards building a more peaceful, united, and prosperous nation.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), described Aguiyi-Ironsi as a courageous and disciplined officer who assumed leadership at a critical period in Nigeria’s history.
He said although the late Head of State’s tenure was brief, his commitment to preserving national unity, restoring stability, and safeguarding the integrity of the country remains worthy of emulation.
The President said the values of patriotism, discipline, integrity, and selfless service exemplified by Aguiyi-Ironsi remain relevant to Nigeria’s development, urging citizens to embrace the nation’s diversity as a source of strength.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for what he described as visionary leadership and quality governance in Abia State.
Governor Alex Otti said the memorial was not only to honour a fallen leader but, also, to remind Nigerians of the importance of unity, merit and sacrifice.
He said Aguiyi-Ironsi’s willingness to lay down his life for the country should inspire leaders and citizens alike to place national interest above personal or ethnic considerations.
He maintained that appointments in his administration are based on competence and integrity, rather than state of origin, stressing that Nigeria stands to gain more as one united nation.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.), and former First Lady Patience Jonathan described the late Aguiyi-Ironsi as a patriotic Nigerian whose sacrifice should never be forgotten. They commended the Abia State Government for preserving the nation’s history and urged Nigerians to continue promoting peace, unity, and selfless service.
Presenting the citation of the late military leader, his daughter, Mrs. Louisa Aguiyi-Ironsi, said the commemoration was intended to preserve the legacy of a leader who made the ultimate sacrifice for Nigeria’s unity and not to reopen old divisions.
She called on present and future leaders to embrace justice, accountability, discipline, and the collective good in nation-building.
The ceremony featured prayers and the consecration of Aguiyi-Ironsi’s tomb by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Most Rev. Michael Ukpong, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony led by the President’s representative, Governor Alex Otti, representatives of other state governments, Dame Patience Jonathan, and several distinguished guests.
The event attracted serving and former public officials, military officers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of the diplomatic community, and the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, who all paid tributes to the late Head of State’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity and nation-building.
