redsun:

It reminds me of the early days of pirates fraternity in nigerian universities,as a little boy i use to see and listen to my uncles and friends who were members,men with true principles,characters and disciplne,even as a child,you feel their aura,nigeria need such people.Sacrifice.

You said it all, sacrifice. Lack of emphasis on personal and group sacrifice remains the missing element in Nigeria's quest for nationhood. Fajuyi, (and a few others) is a ready example we could use to teach future generations about sacrifice.

lots of police men sacrifice their lives ever there. there are nigerian doctors who works on terrible conditions just to provide service to the people. those are who i call national heroes. no one i mean no one as pointed out the achievements of fajuyi.

bawomolo:

lots of police men sacrifice their lives ever there. there are nigerian doctors who works on terrible conditions just to provide service to the people. those are who i call national heroes. no one i mean no one as pointed out the achievements of fajuyi.

You're very entangled in this Danjuma mindset that you fail to appreciate the difference between the circumstances of Fajuyi's death and other life threatening situations of everyday life and job.

naijaking1:

You're very entangled in this Danjuma mindset that you fail to appreciate the difference between the circumstances of Fajuyi's death and other life threatening situations of everyday life and job.

what's the difference those guys are bigger heroes than fajuyi.

Finally, you've come out of your shell: so Danjuma is a better hero than Fajuyi? How about Dimka, and Bisalla?

bawomolo:

what's the difference those guys are bigger heroes than fajuyi.

do not misinterpret my words, police men and doctors are bigger heroes than fajuyi. that's my opinion. you still haven't stated one thing he did for the western region

bawomolo:

do not misinterpret my words, police men and doctors are bigger heroes than fajuyi. that's my opinion. you still haven't stated one thing he did for the western region

You're so hopelessly stuck on western region, you refuse to understand that he ruled for less than 6 months, you refuse to see his importance from a national, philosophical, and even biblical perpesctive. I can't help you.

naijaking1:

You're so hopelessly stuck on western region, you refuse to understand that he ruled for less than 6 months, you refuse to see his importance from a national, philosophical, and even biblical perpesctive. I can't help you.

biblical perspective? philosophical perspective . fajuyi was military administrator of the region. so what did he do while being administrator? he is forgotten because he contributed little to nigeria

I don't want to go into the argument of Igbos invading midwest again, people that are hail bent in bending history, I don't know how old you are but if you witness the history you are now telling us, Biafra did not declare war on Nigeria but Nigeria did, the war started in 1967 but Ore incident did not happen until late 1969 as defence, I am telling you because I was there, I did not read it from a book.

Unless you can tell me what Yoruba were doing between 1966-1969? The Biafran reached Ore in 1969 to stop Egyptian/Soviet pilots crossing into Biafra for air raids which they don't have the anti aircraft detection device once they are inside the Biafran airspace and then it's too lat. If they joined the Hausa because of Ore according to your theory HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE TIME GAP since the war ended few months later?

This is just nothing but distortion of Facts You can do better by getting your facts right about the Ore Battle and the role Victor Banjo played

Coup plotters wanted to kill the president and he offered to die with the Head of State.

So the President died after all?Then what made Fajuyi a national hero? That he chosed to die with the president? I thought he chosed to die so that the President could live, or better still waved off the coup plotter. This was somebody who had no choice but to die a gruesome death. Who ever tells you that a Yoruba man can chose to die with or for another person when he has an opportunity to live!! How some people abuse this "National Hero".

1luvkipsus:

So the President died after all?Then what made Fajuyi a national hero? That he chosed to die with the president? I thought he chosed to die so that the President could live, or better still waved off the coup plotter. This was somebody who had no choice but to die a gruesome death. Who ever tells you that a Yoruba man can chose to die with or for another person when he has an opportunity to live!! How some people abuse this "National Hero".

Fajuyi understood that coup was the wrong thing for Nigeria, he tried to persuade the junior officers against it to the extent that he put his life on the line. He could have walked away, he could have aided the junior officers to do a thing he knew was wrong, yet he spoke up.

Like every successful coup, the heros are usually those that sabotaged their senior officers through extra-judicial means. Unsuccessful coups are the opposite, the heros are those "killed while defending the honor of the nation"

These interpretations are usually biased and on the short run, however on the long run, when personal and subjective bias wean, the real and truthful history will be written. Do you really expect an unbiased evaluation of events when Danjuma and the other boys are still around and continuosly campanigning to justify their their 1966 coup? Remember, they see themselves as winners of that war who should write the history. But history should be written later and by unbiased parties.
When that is done, I bet you Fajuyi will be among those kindly remembered by history.

Note, we're not discussing the merits or otherwise of the civil war.

Gentleman, a little note for posterity. Fajuyi did not give his life for Ironsi. It seems he was a target of the northern mutineers all along and would have been killed with Ironsi regardless. It was the Western Region publication "Fajuyi The Great" that started the myth that Fajuyi "chose to die with Ironsi". The myth was later embellished in subsequent publications. One of the most ridiculous of which was Fajuyi: The Martyred soldier, by Sanmi Ajiki. Ajiki claimed that Fajuyi told Ironsi: "I make bold to declare to you that, I am with you soul, spirit and body. And mark my words, whatever happens to you today, happens to me. I am your true friend, dear J.U.T like the dove to the pigeon, and by the grace of our good God, so will I humbly yet proudly remain till the very end." According to Ajiki, Ironsi replied "Yes! Francis, I retain my absolute confidence in you. I have never for once doubted your integrity." That might sound nice and heroic for their family members, but the accounts given by the soldiers that were present suggest that no such fluffy dialogue took place.

William Walbe (one of the officers that led Fajuyi and Ironsi to their death in Ibadan) publicly confirmed in an interview that Fajuyi was destined to share Ironsi's fate and that they (the northern mutineers) wanted Fajuyi dead because they were convinced he was an ally of the Janaury 1966 Majors and helped them plan their coup. The interview is quoted in Gowon's biography entitled "Gowon: Biogrpahy of a Soldier Statesman".

Lt-Gen Danjuma later corroborated Walbe's account in an interview with a Nigerian army civil war historical team. Danjuma went even further than Walbe and said that the soldiers that killed Ironsi and Fajuyi could not stand Fajuyi. They felt he deserved to die even more than Ironsi.

hmm, naijaking. i hope you read that

bawomolo:

hmm, naijaking. i hope you read that

Yes, o, I have read that.

I have also read that I'm not the only person that thinks Fajuyi is a hero. Unfortunately, Max Siollun's reversionist account doesn't even remove the facts of this matter. He's based his logic on the accounts of the protagonists of this case, ie Walbe and Danjuma. Did you really expect them to proclaim Fajuyi a hero after they cowardly killed him in cold blood?

In a normal and progressive society, Danjuma and all those boys that breached the confidence reposed on them by Ironsi, Fajuyi, and the nation would have been hanged, or be wasting away in jail. No, not in Nigeria, because their coup "succeeded" they're running around making us forget what they actually did.

Until, Max Siollun or any other stupid reversionist can come up with a better account to dispute the circumstances as documented, we really don't want to hear from Danjuma, Walbe, or their apologists.

Naijaking, this is a forum for the free exchange of ideas. I don't mind you disagreeing with me - since after all this forum is about different opinions. However when you disagree please avoid invectives like calling me "stupid". It is really immature and detracts from otherwise valid points that you might make. Such personal abuse is quite unnecessary. We need to learn how to debate as adults without resorting to insults.

Back to topic, Well the account I gave is not ONLY based on the accounts of Danjuma and Walbe. The northern mutineers had a serious axe to grind with Fajuyi. Most of them did not like him because they thought he was an ally of Nzeogwu, Ifeajuna, Ademoyega et al. Indeed Major Ademoyega's book "Why We Struck" makes it quite clear that the Majors discussed their coup plot in advance with Fajuyi and that Fajuyi gave them operational ideas for the coup's execution. The northern soldiers knew this and that made Fajuyi a marked man. They considered Fajuyi a legitimate target the same way they did Ironsi.

naijaking1:

Yes, o, I have read that.

I have also read that I'm not the only person that thinks Fajuyi is a hero. Unfortunately, Max Siollun's reversionist account doesn't even remove the facts of this matter. He's based his logic on the accounts of the protagonists of this case, ie Walbe and Danjuma. Did you really expect them to proclaim Fajuyi a hero after they cowardly killed him in cold blood?

In a normal and progressive society, Danjuma and all those boys that breached the confidence reposed on them by Ironsi, Fajuyi, and the nation would have been hanged, or be wasting away in jail. No, not in Nigeria, because their coup "succeeded" they're running around making us forget what they actually did.

Until, Max Siollun or any other stupid reversionist can come up with a better account to dispute the circumstances as documented, we really don't want to hear from Danjuma, Walbe, or their apologists.

@Max Siollun
I take strong exception to cut and paste journalists trying to pull a wool over our eyes. You're not really serious about making us believe that you're presenting a balanced arguement on this issue, or are you? You're trying to make the case for Walbe and Danjuma, as to the main reason why they killed Fajuyi- unfortunately the victims can't present their own side of the story. I would take the account of neutral or Fajuyi sympathizers at the scene before I listen to Danjuma/Walbe who have everything to gain by reversing history

Did you even read my second post before replying? I pointed you to Ademoyega's account as well. FYI, Hilary Njoku also alluded to how frightened Fajuyi was at the time. Now you have four sources - two from each side: Walbe and Danjuma on one, and Njoku and Ademoyega on the other.

naijaking1:

@Max Siollun
I take strong exception to cut and paste journalists trying to pull a wool over our eyes. You're not really serious about making us believe that you're presenting a balanced arguement on this issue, or are you? You're trying to make the case for Walbe and Danjuma, as to the main reason why they killed Fajuyi- unfortunately the victims can't present their own side of the story. I would take the account of neutral or Fajuyi sympathizers at the scene before I listen to Danjuma/Walbe who have everything to gain by reversing history

If you're charitable enough to consider both sides of this topic, you will arrive at the same conclusion: No matter how one looks at it, most people will agree that despite any prevailing animosity towards Fajuyi, he has an opportunity to even attempt to save his own head. My friends, he did not
That's what makes him a hero.

@post
the man was a true hero and a professional soldier,something we r short of in nigeria however i must say the man will be turning in his grave now if he heard or read some comments from igbos insulting yorubas especially after he gave his life for an igbo superior officer,secondly i dont see many people posting on here about fajuyi who paid the ultimate sacrifice yet ojukwu has enough threads and is still alive

lucabrasi:

@post
the man was a true hero and a professional soldier,something we r short of in nigeria however i must say the man will be turning in his grave now if he heard or read some comments from igbos insulting yorubas especially after he gave his life for an igbo superior officer,secondly i don't see many people posting on here about fajuyi who paid the ultimate sacrifice yet ojukwu has enough threads and is still alive

Thanks, I share your opinon about Fajuyi's bravery and heroism. However, and as an Igboman, I must disagree with your later statement. The truth of the matter is that the civil war era exposed Nigerians for what they really are: human beings- some good, some bad; some brave, some cowardly; the Fajuyis/Soyinkas/Gani Fawehinmis vs. the Awolowos/Obasanjos. Some Igbos tend to look at only one side of this human equation-- which is not always correct. Even as we speak I don't know many Igbo men who would sacrifice their lives for another Igboman, not to talk of a Yoruba man; also I don't know many Yorubas who would repeat Fajuyi's bravery even to their own kit and kin.

naijaking1:

Thanks, I share your opinon about Fajuyi's bravery and heroism. However, and as an Igboman, I must disagree with your later statement. The truth of the matter is that the civil war era exposed Nigerians for what they really are: human beings- some good, some bad; some brave, some cowardly; the Fajuyis/Soyinkas/Gani Fawehinmis vs. the Awolowos/Obasanjos. Some Igbos tend to look at only one side of this human equation-- which is not always correct. Even as we speak I don't know many Igbo men who would sacrifice their lives for another Igboman, not to talk of a Yoruba man; also I don't know many Yorubas who would repeat Fajuyi's bravery even to their own kit and kin.

i equally agree with most of your comments but its crystal clear that many igbos rarely mention the man's name talk less of acknowleding his contributions,all we hear is how yorubas betrayed them and how they v never done anything good for them,apart from fajuyi there were several reports of many high profile and accomplished igbo men who owe their lives to yorubas/lagosians but i dont see any thread opened for them by the professional tribalists on here(excluding you of course)ill give you two examples i know for a fact that the man of GOD bishop mike okonkwo owes his life to a man that hid him for weeks,same as the former presidential candidate,light skinned economist(cant recall his name now)amongst many others

lucabrasi:

i equally agree with most of your comments but its crystal clear that many igbos rarely mention the man's name talk less of acknowleding his contributions,all we hear is how yorubas betrayed them and how they v never done anything good for them,apart from fajuyi there were several reports of many high profile and accomplished igbo men who owe their lives to yorubas/lagosians but i don't see any thread opened for them by the professional tribalists on here(excluding you of course)ill give you two examples i know for a fact that the man of GOD bishop mike okonkwo owes his life to a man that hid him for weeks,same as the former presidential candidate,light skinned economist(can't recall his name now)amongst many others

The Igbo view of their Yoruba cousines is very characteristically human, some view the glass as half empty while other view it as half full. Similary, some Igbos see Yorubas from the point of view of Awolowo, while others view them from the point of view of Fajuyi and Soyinka. The truth is somewhere in the middle.

History slowly and surely reckons the heros of our time, whether Yoruba, Igbo, or even Hausa. The majority of Igbos openly expressing adoration for Fajuyi may not seem much, but trust me many igbos worship Fajuyi. For the few years I spent in Nigeria, in elementary school to be specific, I remember our very stern/mean/authorithative headmaster break down in tears during a civic lesson about heros.

After Jesus Christ, he placed Fajuyi next, because according to him offering ones life for whatever reason was the ultimate sacrifice. He started by asking who could afford to give up their lunch money so that one of our classmates would eat, only one person (who probably didn't hear the question) raised his hand, then he asked who give up their shoe for somebody without shoes, of course no body volunteered, then he asked who would offer their lives to save their friends. When nobody raised their hand, a teacher said, 'only Jesus did that'.

The headmaster added that a brave Yoruba soldier called Fajuyi offered his life for Ironsi--- he went on tell the story as he understood it with surprising showing of emotions.

The next week, not less than 7 boys opted to be nicknamed Fajuyi in my school.

For reference Fajuyi's son Adedayo was given the traditional title "ezigbo enyi Ndigbo" by the Igbo National Council.

A man named Victor Banjo led the Biafra Army for some time before Ojukwu executed him yet Some Igbo's would always say Yoruba's betrayed them. So who betrayed who?

dayokanu:

A man named Victor Banjo led the Biafra Army for some time before Ojukwu executed him yet Some Igbo's would always say Yoruba's betrayed them. So who betrayed who?

For the record, the circumstances surrounding the alleged SABOS-- sabotuers as they were called during the civil war remains murky, questionable, and quite critical of Ojukwu and his personality/ego. So Ifeajuna, Banjo,Adaka Boro, etc who led units of the Biafran Army before falling out favour with Ojukwu died in mysterious circumstances, but that's quite different from Fajuyi who was murdered before the war broke out.

maxsiollun:

For reference Fajuyi's son Adedayo was given the traditional title "ezigbo enyi Ndigbo" by the Igbo National Council.

Many Igbos remain ignorant of the activities of Fajuyi, but as far as one Igbo man, one Yoruba, or one Nigerian remembers the heroism of Fajuyi, that's ok.

Fajuyi was an honourable man and remarkable person and deserves to be remebered as such.

The fact that people like Fajuyi don't feature prominently on the annals of Nigeria examplifies the problem with us. We tend to worship temporal things that lead to corruption and misplaced values such as ill-gotten wealth; unreasonable, but successful coups; successful fraudsters. When we as a nation start appreciating the publicity-shy, pious, honest, and silent heros of our time, then Nigeria will become a better place.

Well said Naijaking.

Thank you.

Yesterday was the anniversary of Ironsi and Fajuyi's deaths.