The touching story of lieutenantcolonel francis adekunle. Fajuyi and the failure of artistic imagination the. Such a character ought to be mentioned in the history books. It claimed much causalities in retaliation of the deaths of leading politicians and top brass officers from the north that had been killed six months earlier in. Akin osuntokun has said the main reason nigeria is unable to write its history.
Since 1987, i had promised myself that i was going to write two tributes, one for colonel francis adekunle fajuyi, the first military governor of western nigeria and the other for captain thomas sankara on the anniversaries of their assassinations and for fortynine years in the case of colonel fajuyi, and 29 years in the case of captain sankara. Wumi akintide i reject the insinuation or any suggestion or cheap blackmail by revisionists that the black scorpion was a villain who should be blamed for the plight of igbo people in the biafra war. Fajuyi was not arrested after he talked with danjuma the first time. Adekunle fajuyi, the military governor of western nigeria who was killed. Adekunle fajuyi and the politics of remembrance, by niyi. Without any scientific evidence, they have gone forward to present the colonel as a hero who sacrificed his life in solidarity with his condemned high priced guest. Now praise we great and famous men, the fathers named in story. According to danjuma, fajuyi extracted a promise from danjuma not to harm ironsi. Sunway is a real estate brand with a vision to play a substantial part in reducing the housing deficit in nigeria beyond providing houses that people can live comfortably, we. The essay, dripping with passion and wit, was a prepublication comment on a forthcoming book by benjamin adekunle, the thoroughbred sadist, and colonel in the nigerian army, who had earned a solid reputation for himself during the biafranigeria war by being the most accurate interpreter and successful implementer of the genocidal project. This park is at ado ekiti, the heart of ekitiland in ekiti state. No doubt, fajuyis place in authentic history is assured.
Francis adekunle fajuyi, shortly after the man died. By rotimi opeyeoluwa july 29th 1966, was no ordinary day in the annals of nigeria, as it was the day that the second military coup took place. Aug 03, 2016 on friday29th july, the cream of nigerian elites gathered to attend a memorial discourse programme to mark the 50th year remembrance of a national hero, late colonel francis adekunle fajuyi, the 1st nigerian military governor of western nigeria who was murdered but died heroically at ibadan on 29th july 1966. Colonel francis adekunle fajuyi and his host, ironsi. The fajuyi remembrance for example, is a local thing. Col adekunle fajuyi, military governor of the old western region and general aguiyi ironsi, the head of state. About command day secondary school ibadan old students. In 1954, as a sergeant, he was awarded a british empire medal bem. Adekunle fajuyi, nigerian army officer and martyred military governor of western nigeria. Adekunle fajuyi died a poor man without personal house. He was said to be on a peace building tour across nigeria after the upheavals in the north.
Stanford libraries official online search tool for books, media, journals, databases. Ladigbolu, francis adekunle fajuyi snippet view 2001. It was my late father who first stimulated my interest in the character and fate of lt. Adekunle fajuyi, the play captures the early vision of a young man vowed to live the life of a soldier, as part of his personal conviction and in full knowledge of being a descendant of a war hero. Francis adekunle fajuyi, died a poor man, his son donald femi fajuyi has revealed. Adekunle fajuyi, was killed in nigerias second coup, the yoruba thinktank held a major event in his honour at the international conference centre, university of ibadan. Jul 30, 2016 you know a country by the kind of people it remembers remembrance is an enabling companion of memory. Fajuyi and the failure of artistic imagination the guardian nigeria. It is a triangular park where the late colonel adekunle fajuyi was buried. It also shows that they lied to the yoruba nation that fajuyi was killed accidentally while defending ironsi. Jan 28, 2019 adekunle fajuyi occupies a unique, almost mythical place in nigerian history. You know a country by the kind of people it remembers. Click download or read online button to get history of yoruba land book now.
Funeral of lieutenantcolonel adekunle fajuyi january. Fajuyi and the failure of artistic imagination the guardian. The life history of fajuyi the great by olusola asani. Below is a story written and published on this platform on 25 july 2015. There are two books on fajuyi by akin onigbinde and a. Weather at adekunle fajuyi park adekunle fajuyi park is located at ekiti which is in the southwest region of the country.
July 29,1966 exactly 51 years ago the supreme commander of the nigerian armed forces,major gen j t u aguyiironsi and the military governor of the then western region, col adekunle fajuyi arriving at their last state function in ibadan into a well coordinated trap set by then temporary major murtala mohammed. The ordinary man is involved in action, wrote henry miller, the hero acts. Formerly known as odogbo cantonment, this military base is named after the first military governor of the former western region, nigeria who was assassinated in ibadan. At the launching of the book the road to lalupon on lt. Francis adekunle fajuyi, bem 26 june 1926 29 july 1966 was a nigerian soldier of yoruba origin. To immortalize aguiyi ironsi and adekunle fajuyi is not just to share in the noblest of virtues but a promotion of ethical values and consciousness. Francis adekunle fajuyi was born on june 26, 1926 at ado, ekiti. The toddler tree founder authors new book pearls for my daughter was recently authorededited by fadekemi olumidealuko 2010, plooteho media. The school was established in 1992 and has since been citadel of quality education, cultural training, and a bastion of discipline. Lieutenantcolonel francis adekunle fajuyi, 19261966 prince a. Fajuyi joined the nigerian army despite of objections from his parents.
Revisionists of the nigerian civil war history distort, the role, diminish the active participation of colonel adekunle fajuyi s. Johnson thomas umunnakwe aguiyiironsi mvo, mbe 3 march 1924 29 july 1966 was the first nigerian military head of states. Francis adekunle fajuyi mc bem 26 june 1926 29 july 1966 was a nigerian soldier of yoruba origin. Will you, in the book correct, for example, the many stories around the coup in ibadan in 1966 and your alleged role in the killing of aguiyiironsi and adekunle fajuyi. Death, national memory and the social construction of heroism jstor. Adekunle fajuyi, was killed in nigerias second coup, the yoruba thinktank. Jan 19, 2017 revisionists of the nigerian civil war history distort, the role, diminish the active participation of colonel adekunle fajuyis support to the boys of the january 15 revolution. Colonel adekunle fajuyi was the governor of the old western state. The command day secondary school adekunle fajuyi cantonment ibadan old students association cdssiosa is an umbrella body of all exstudents of cdss ibadan, who spent at least a full session in the school. On that occasion of his lecture to us students in adoekiti, he never for once made any allusion to the fact that he had been honoured twice by the british for acts of courage. Adekunle fajuyi and the politics of remembrance by niyi. Adekunle fajuyi, the soldierleader for whom valour was a prime virtue, brave in battle, brave beyond it.
Adekunle fajuyi, by a junior officer who had accompanied ironsi on the tour, to wit, theophilus yakubu danjuma. More importantly, the history of the civil war should be taught in all our schools so that young citizens can acknowledge the genuine heroes of the struggle to keep nigeria one on the basis of social justice. A paper presented by chief harry akande, chairman board of trustees of the all peoples party app. Sep 22, 2014 i rise in defense of the black scorpion by dr. This story was told by none other than the adc to general aguiyi ironsi himself, captain now senator andrew nwankwo. Francis adekunle fajuyi was the first military governor of the former western region, nigeria fajuyi was awarded the military cross for actions in north katanga and saving his unit from an. So, what i have decided to do is oral history tell the story to a writer wholl record, transcribe and so on and the book will bear his name and mine. The late former military governor of the old western region, lt. Nigeria and the saints of history 1 the sun nigeria. It is a book of wisdom for preteenteenage girls, offering userfriendly advice on cogent issues teens face in todays world, including sexuality, peerpressure, identity and core values. Nigeria and the saints of history 1 18th january 2018. Col adekunle francis fajuyi was an embodiment of courage and unalloyed loyalty. He was swept off by the coup of 1966 but accorded a heroic burial for his sacrifice and patriotism.
The fajuyi legacy and demand for restructuring of nigeria. On july 29, 2016, 50 years to the day the former military governor of western nigeria, lt. Nigerias finest soldier and military cross recipient who was kidnapped and assassinated. He is elevated to the pantheon of men who have stood for principle and will never be forgotten any time events of 1966 are recalled. Stopped over and marched them to the right hand side of the bush. Aguiyiironsi and lt col francis adekunle fajuyi were arrested and the rest became history. Aug 21, 2016 on july 29, 2016, 50 years to the day the former military governor of western nigeria, lt. Eunice, the wife of the first military governor of the former western region, adekunle fajuyi, is dead the 85yearold died in her sleep at about 6. Below is a story written and published on this platform on 25 july 2015 as a memorial. Jul 29, 2019 so, what i have decided to do is oral history tell the story to a writer wholl record, transcribe and so on and the book will bear his name and mine.
Immortalization of aguiyi ironsi and adekunle fajuyi in. The funeral of lieutenantcolonel francis adekunle fajuyi, the former military governor of the western region of nigeria who was kidnapped and. Dressed in borrowed battle dress and boots, danjuma took well armed men in two land rovers with recoilless riffles capable of blowing buildings apart and proceeded to government house, ibadan. They were taken away in a land rover and a mini bus and driven to an isolated area along iwo road. Adekunle is a name of yoruba origin, meaning the kingcrownroyalty filled the house. Such an iconic character ought to be national property, a national celebration on october 1st and beyond. On 29 july, 2019, it will be 53 years since the revenge coup led by northern military officers claimed the lives of lt. May 28, 2008 so, what i have decided to do is oral history tell the story to a writer wholl record, transcribe and so on and the book will bear his name and mine. Milestones and concepts in yoruba history and culture. But in the personage of fajuyi, one of the victims, a story began to. Originally a clerk, fajuyi of ado ekiti joined the army in 1943 and as a sergeant in the nigeria signal squadron, royal.
Nigerians dig out story of how theophilus yakubu danjuma killed general johnson thomas umunnakwe aguiyiironsi and colonel adekunle fajuyi. I think it will be wrong therefore to use that episode alone as the only premise for passing judgment on danjuma and his place in our countrys history. This region experience two seasons which are the rainy and dry season. Adekunle fajuyi and the politics of remembrance by niyi osundare talking points show me your hero and i will tell you who you are.
Niyi osundare on adekunle fajuyi and the politics of remembrance. This story was told by none other than the adc to general aguiyi ironsi. Adekunle fajuyi, the play captures the early vision of a young man vowed to live the life of a soldier, as part of his personal conviction and. Adekunle fajuyi, was killed in nigerias second coup, the yoruba thinktank held a major event in. Jul 29, 2016 adekunle fajuyi, the quintessential omoluwabi. Jan 29, 2018 the naming of streets, gardens, parks, buildings, schools, and public places after these great men is not just the objectification of history but a source of inspiration to the younger generation. The ancient city of ibadan comes alive on friday july 29, 2016 as dignitaries from all walks of life converge to remember that gallant,brave and outstanding soldier,col adekunle fajuyi, who was. Jul 29, 2016 adekunle fajuyi and the politics of remembrance by niyi osundare talking points show me your hero and i will tell you who you are. History of yoruba land download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. In concluding my twopart comment on the heroic example of lt. Adekunle fajuyi, late governor of western region at the cultural center, ibadan. January 15, fajuyi and the northern christians the sun nigeria. I recall this story to plead some understanding for danjuma who was only obeying the last command when he moved against ironsi and adekunle fajuyi.
Tuesday, july 26, 2016 adekunle fajuyi the ancient city of ibadan comes alive on. In other words, nigeria pays no attention when a worthy deed is done. Conspicuously missing is the quartet of major babafemi olatunde ogundipe, captains kuru mohammed, francis adekunle fajuyi and victor adebukonola banjo. No doubt, fajuyi s place in authentic history is assured. Francis adekunle fajuyi mc bem 26 june 1926 29 july 1966 was a nigerian soldier of. Adekunle fajuyi was the first major nigerian figure to achieve the proverbial handshake across the niger. Francis adekunle fajuyi is the first and one of the few africans. January 15, fajuyi and the northern christians news express. And praise the lord, who now as then reveals in man his glory. It was at the western region wing of the tour that ironsi was arrested in the company of his host, col. History of adekunle fajuyi cantonment built by the nigerian army. He is largely viewed as the gallant officer who, in the midst of an episode of bloodletting among nigerias soldiers, refused to stand aside as his commanderinchief was being led to the slaughter, and, instead, opted to share the fate of a brutal death at the hands of renegade soldiers. Danjuma told fajuyi that they were there to arrest ironsi. To learn about part of the history of nigeria and to have a very fun time.
Col francis adekunle fajuyi, i daresay that fajuyi rests in history and has become a historical figure. Colonel francis adekunle fajuyis story is both interesting and sad as he was killed in 1966 at just 40 years old for his participation in politics and. The akada childrens book festival acbf is a fun festival in partnership with the british council to showcase childrens books written by african authors, or books written for children of color. January 15, fajuyi and the northern christians news. Posted by ndukaku kingsley ogwumike on july 29, 2016 july 29. Lieutenant colonel adekunle fajuyi, the military governor of the western. Fajuyi, francis adekunle 19261966 worldcat identities. The life of francis adekunle fajuyi june 26, 1926 july 29, 1966 a nigerian soldier from ekiti state who was the first military governor of the former western region, nigeria, was replete with bravery and enviable leadership skills. Biafrans with nnamdi kanu updated their profile picture. Francis adekunle fajuyi leadership essay home facebook. See chris okigbo, emma okocha awo, the nine majors and the death of the prime minister, gomslam books. Adekunle fajuyi is omoluabi in the true yoruba sense of the word fajuyi died as a soldier. Jul 29, 2016 since 1987, i had promised myself that i was going to write two tributes, one for colonel francis adekunle fajuyi, the first military governor of western nigeria and the other for captain thomas.
Nigerias finest soldier and military cross recipient who was. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Beginning with the book fajuyi the great, an official publication of the. The rainy season come heavily from the month of may, june, july. Originally a clerk, fajuyi of ado ekiti joined the army in 1943 and as a sergeant in the nigeria signal squadron, royal west african frontier force.
How i arrested ironsi, his crocodile staff made me lose. When the head of state, agonyi ironsi went to ibadan on official visit and gunshots were heard in the dead of the night, both the host and the guest were taken aback with the ugly development. Adekunle fajuyi occupies a unique, almost mythical place in nigerian history. Such a character ought to be mentioned in the history books as a lesson to the younger ones. July 29th 1966, the essential adekunle fajuyi and a testimony. Suicidal loyalty when the head of state, aguonyi ironsi went to ibadan on official visit and gunshots were heard in the dead of the night, both the host and the guest were taken aback by the ugly development. Sunway is a real estate brand with a vision to play a substantial part in reducing the housing deficit in nigeria beyond providing houses that people can live comfortably, we are driven to provide houses that people can own. Fajuyis death was used in constructing ethnonational memory and history in the.
622 1097 165 1564 834 217 427 1461 181 158 421 1579 134 572 667 1176 889 147 311 394 68 35 886 559 95 915 748 1610 1022 791 890 367 1108 694 1174 1254 473 872 756 344