Eminent Nigerians extol late General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s virtues at 50th anniversary  

Eminent Nigerians, yesterday eulogize the country’s first military head of state and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces,  Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi  at a church service held in his honour in Umuahia to commemorate the 50 years of his assassination.

The late General was killed in Ibadan along with his host and first Military governor of the defunct Western Region, Lt. Colonel Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, while on official visit as military head of state.

Among those that extoled his virtues was the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, who was represented by Anambra state governor’s wife, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano. She described the late military head of state as “a great patriot and a soldier’s soldier who stood for the good and unity of Nigeria”.

Mrs. Buhari who lauded the general’s widow, Victoria Ironsi, for holding on in the past 50 years, said it was proof of her commitment, courage and selfless service.

The state governor,  Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by his wife Nkechi said late Ironsi lived and died for the unity of Nigeria, urging Nigerians to imbibe similar virtue of hard work and  patriotism.

In her eulogy, the late general’s wife, Victoria said that his remembrance  should be a reminder on the urgent need for national reconciliation, peace, unity and stability, which her late husband demonstrated while in office.

The first son, Ambassador (Chief) Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, said that their father served Nigeria with dedication and distinction in many capacities as a military officer and statesman and was awarded one of Austria’s highest medals for bravery in rescuing its nationals from rebels in the then ‘ Congo’ in the sixties.