Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Major General
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
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| 2nd Head of State of Nigeria | |
| In office 16 January 1966 – 29 July 1966 |
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| Chief of Staff | Babafemi Ogundipe |
| Preceded by | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Succeeded by | Yakubu Gowon |
| General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army | |
| In office February 1965 – 15 January 1966 |
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| President | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Prime Minister | Tafawa Balewa |
| Preceded by | Christopher Welby-Everard |
| Succeeded by | Yakubu Gowon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 March 1924 Umuahia, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Abia State, Nigeria) |
| Died | 29 July 1966 (aged 42) Lalupon, Western Region (now in Oyo State), Nigeria |
| Political party | None (military) |
| Spouse | Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Awards | |
| Nickname | "Ironside" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British Empire (to 1960) Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1966 |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Unit | Commander, 2nd Brigade |
| Commands | Force Commander, ONUC |
Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was a Nigerian general. He became the first military head of state of Nigeria. He took charge after a sudden military takeover on 15 January 1966.
He led the country from 16 January 1966. However, he was killed on 29 July of the same year. A group of rebelling soldiers from Northern Nigeria caused his death. This event is known as the July counter-coup.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi was born on 3 March 1924. His birthplace was Ibeku, Umuahia, in what is now Abia State, Nigeria. He was born into the family of Ezeugo Aguiyi.
Aguiyi-Ironsi later took his brother-in-law's last name, Johnson, as his first name. He admired Mr. Johnson for being like a father to him. He went to primary school in Umuahia and secondary school in Kano. At 18, he joined the Nigeria Regiment, even though his sister did not want him to.
Military Career Highlights
Aguiyi-Ironsi joined the Nigerian Regiment in 1942. He started as a private in the seventh battalion. By 1946, he was promoted to company sergeant major. In the same year, he went to England for officer training. He completed his course at Staff College, Camberley in 1949. He then became a second lieutenant in the Royal West African Frontier Force.
He was promoted to captain in 1953. In 1956, he served Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Nigeria. For this, he received an award called the Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO). He became a Major in 1958.
Leadership Roles
In 1960, Aguiyi-Ironsi became the leader of the fifth battalion in Kano. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel. Later that year, he led Nigerian troops in the United Nations Operation in the Congo. This was a peacekeeping mission.
From 1961 to 1962, he worked as a military representative in London. During this time, he became a brigadier. He also attended courses at the Imperial Defence College. In 1962, he received another award, the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
In 1964, he was put in charge of the entire United Nations peacekeeping force in the Congo. By 1965, he was promoted to major general. He then became the first Nigerian officer to lead the entire Nigerian Army.
Taking Control of Government
In January 1966, some army officers tried to take over the government. They killed the prime minister. Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi stopped this attempted takeover. He captured and imprisoned the leader of the coup, Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu.
Aguiyi-Ironsi was then named military head of state. This happened on 17 January 1966. He held this position until 29 July 1966. On that day, Northern army officers rebelled against his government and killed him.
As Head of State
When Aguiyi-Ironsi became leader, Nigeria was divided. Different ethnic and religious groups had disagreements. The people in the North believed the January 1966 takeover was a plot by the Igbo people. This was because the victims were not Igbo, and the new leaders were Igbo.
Aguiyi-Ironsi tried to show that this was not true. He gave political jobs to people from different groups. However, he did not punish the soldiers who tried to take over. He also made a new law called "Decree No. 34". This law changed Nigeria from a federal system to a single, central government. These actions made the idea of an Igbo plot stronger for many.
During his short time in office (194 days), Aguiyi-Ironsi made several new laws. One law, Decree No.1, suspended most parts of the Constitution. But it kept sections about human rights and freedom of speech. Another law, Decree No.2, removed limits on press freedom. However, he later introduced Decree No.44. This law made it illegal to display or share things that could cause trouble between different groups in the country.
The July Counter-Coup
On 29 July 1966, Aguiyi-Ironsi was staying at the Government House in Ibadan. He was on a tour of the country. His host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, warned him about a possible rebellion in the army. Aguiyi-Ironsi tried to reach his Army Chief of Staff, Yakubu Gowon, but could not. Early in the morning, soldiers led by Theophilus Danjuma surrounded the Government House.
Arrest and Death
Danjuma arrested Aguiyi-Ironsi. He questioned him about his role in the January takeover. This takeover had led to the death of important leaders like the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello. The exact details of Aguiyi-Ironsi's death are still debated in Nigeria. His body and Fajuyi's body were later found in a nearby forest.
Legacy and Personal Life
Aguiyi-Ironsi had a special swagger stick. It had a stuffed crocodile mascot named "Charlie". People used to say that this crocodile made him unbeatable. They believed it could help him avoid bullets during his missions in the Congo. The name "Aguiyi" actually means "crocodile" in the Igbo language.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi married Victoria in 1953. His son, Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, later became Nigeria's Defence Minister. This happened on 30 August 2006, forty years after his father's death.
Awards and Recognition
The Austrian government gave the Gallantry Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Aguiyi-Ironsi. This was for his actions in the Congo in 1960. He, along with other Nigerian soldiers, helped free an Austrian ambulance unit. The unit had been arrested by Congolese authorities.
See also
- Nigerian First Republic
