Colonel William Walbe (one of the officers that led Aguiyi-Ironsi and Fajuyi to their death) has died.


A Tribute to a Distinguished Patriot, Officer and Gentleman

YES!
There would be fulcrum lasting peace on earth particularly in Nigeria, our beloved country in diaspora, if on every cantankerous bad yoyo mouth, a padlock is hung LAKADIS, LAKADAT.
WGW 1943-2011.

The epigraph is unmistakably typical Colonel William Godang Walbe, (Rtd), who sadly passed away shortly before his 68th birthday, in the early hours of Monday, 27th, July 2011. Some of his unique qualities can easily be gleaned from the words above. They reveal his admirable radicalism, and deep sense of patriotism, which led him to a distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces, something which he did with courage, loyalty, confidence, honour, discipline and distinction. His career undoubtedly rose to prominence as the Military Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Commander in Chief and Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, between 1966-1975. He went on to serve as Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the United States of America (USA) with responsibility for Canada and all the Caribbean Countries between 1975–1979.

More than anything else, the epigraph provides an indication of Colonel Walbe’s great sense of humour, and the infectious laughter it always invited. Colonel Walbe brought laughter to our lives, something that we shall miss, and fondly remember. To say that he always saw the funny side of things is really an understatement. Nothing, even the pain or gravity of his illness, could prevent him from provoking laughter in his last moments. This was not unusual for Colonel Walbe. It was another admirable hallmark. His qualities were often indistinguishable. His sense of humor was irreducible from his other qualities. His demeanor could transform from solemnity to laughter and vice versa in a moment.

Colonel Walbe was born on the 13th of July, 1943, the son of Tokmuwa (deceased), and Ngot, in Kabwir District, Kanke (formerly Pankshin Division), Plateau State. He enjoyed a distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces, a career which began after he graduated from the famous Nigerian Military School (NMS) Zaria. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1962, and went on to serve as Anti-Tank Platoon Commander, Second Battalion 1963, and General Staff Officer III, Second Brigade, Nigerian Army,1965.

As part of his professional development, and rise to prominence, he attended the Officer Leadership Training Cadet Program, Fort Knox, Kentucky, the Infantry School, Fort Dix New Jersey, and the prestigious West Point Military Academy, all in the United States of America (USA). He also attended the National Graduate University (NGU) Washington, and the American Institute of Management Studies, USA. He earned several laurels, including the Nigerian Independence Medal, the United Nations Congo Medal, the Forces Services Medal, and Nineteen first class honours from different countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean.

Unlike a lot of his superiors, contemporaries, and juniors in the army, Colonel Walbe chose to retire to a quiet life in business as opposed to the chaotic and pretentious life of Nigerian politics. He was too candid and uncompromising for Nigerian politics. He nonetheless remained an arm-chair critic of politics, particularly of retired members of his military constituency, who embarked on what he regarded as misguided political adventures. His distance from politics was not a sign of indifference or apathy. He cared so much about the country, that was one of the reasons why he served in the army in the first place. Many would agree with him that “Nigeria, our beloved country†, is certainly “in Diaspora†. The remedy, to “padlock every cantankerous bad yoyo mouth†, for lasting peace, amongst other things, is not one that many would dismiss.

Until his sudden death, Colonel Walbe ran several businesses, prominent amongst which, is the NATCO Group of Companies, which pioneered communications, amongst other things, in Plateau State, Nigeria. During his retirement from the army, he served as an Executive Member of the Board of Trustees of the Tourism Corporation of Plateau State, the Chair of both the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, and the Society of Nigerian Artists. This is at all not surprisingly, given his penchant for the arts, and the meticulous way he preserved artifacts and other items of historical significance, as any visitor to his home would attest.
Colonel Walbe married, in 1967, Comfort Ta’azia (Nee Choji Dagyan); they are blessed with four children –Nathan, Nime, Rudy and Nenman.

Colonel Walbe was a devout Catholic and worshipped at Saint Louis Catholic Church, Jos. He would be buried in Jos on Friday, 8th July, 2011.

He would fondly be missed.

May his soul rest in peace.

*Written and submitted by Dr. Oche Onazi, Lecturer in Law, University of Dundee.

maxsiollun:

Colonel William Walbe (one of the officers that led Aguiyi-Ironsi and Fajuyi to their death) has died.

He will be rotting in hell soon. If he was 68 at death, it means he became a murderer or accessory to murder, at 23, in 1966.

Ironsi was also an accessory to murder for failing to act on senseless killings of northern and middle belt soldiers. He must also be in hell.
By the way someone needed to get rid of Ironsi anyway; he is recorded in history as one of the weakest head of state in the country, a slowpoke apparently according to an old soldier who worked with him.