15
Jan
2010
“Nzeogwu”
Today is January 15. On a day like this in 1966, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu staged the first coup in Nigerian history. It took over thirty years before his best friend Obasanjo told the world what he knows about him in a book titled Nzeogwu. I have reviewed below and reached three important conclusions: 1) Youths who appear self-disciplined and daring should be watched closely. This is further confirmed by the recent unfortunate story of Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. 2) Though the January 15 coup did change the history of the country, it did not change any of the fundamental flaws in its composition or improved the quality of its administration. Nzeogwu's maiden speech would perfectly suit the listeners of today if a coup were to be staged. 3). Nzeogwu was simply a scapegoat. He was not alone. The complicity of even some northern officers who might have been working in tandem with some powerful figures in the region can clearly be discerned from the manner they spared and honoured the assassins.
I have since developed my doubts about the popular theories proffered to explain the sad event. His story is akin to that of Murtala, who suffered the same fate of betrayal of his principles. Incidentally, while Obasanjo was the closest friend of Nzeogwu when the latter staged his coup in 1966, he was as well the deputy of Murtala ten years later. And, as some said, he went into hiding in far away Maiduguri after the 1966 Coup, he also disappeared soon after Murtala was killed. Mhm.
Jan
2010
“Nzeogwu”
Today is January 15. On a day like this in 1966, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu staged the first coup in Nigerian history. It took over thirty years before his best friend Obasanjo told the world what he knows about him in a book titled Nzeogwu. I have reviewed below and reached three important conclusions: 1) Youths who appear self-disciplined and daring should be watched closely. This is further confirmed by the recent unfortunate story of Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. 2) Though the January 15 coup did change the history of the country, it did not change any of the fundamental flaws in its composition or improved the quality of its administration. Nzeogwu's maiden speech would perfectly suit the listeners of today if a coup were to be staged. 3). Nzeogwu was simply a scapegoat. He was not alone. The complicity of even some northern officers who might have been working in tandem with some powerful figures in the region can clearly be discerned from the manner they spared and honoured the assassins.
I have since developed my doubts about the popular theories proffered to explain the sad event. His story is akin to that of Murtala, who suffered the same fate of betrayal of his principles. Incidentally, while Obasanjo was the closest friend of Nzeogwu when the latter staged his coup in 1966, he was as well the deputy of Murtala ten years later. And, as some said, he went into hiding in far away Maiduguri after the 1966 Coup, he also disappeared soon after Murtala was killed. Mhm.