Elder statesman, Gen Alani Akinrinade, retd, who is 80 today, in this article, VANGUARD gathered some vital information surrounding his birth, career in the Nigeria Military Force and stewardship to Nigeria as a nation.

Akinrinade was born on 3 October 1939 at Yakoyo near Ile Ife, Osun State old Oyo State. He attended Offa Grammar School for his secondary education (1954–1958).

He worked at the Ministry of Agriculture in the Western Region, Ibadan (1959–1960). Joining the army.

He began officer cadet training at the Royal Nigeria Military Forces Training College, Kaduna in April 1960.

He went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom (August 1960).

He was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Infantry Corps on 20 December 1962.

Later, he took the Infantry Officer Career/Airborne Course in the USA (August 1965 - July 1966).

Akinrinade attended Staff College Camberley (January - December 1971) and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom (January - December 1978).

He rose steadily through the ranks. He was promoted lieutenant on 29 March 1963, captain on 29 Mar 1965, major on 10 June 1967, lieutenant colonel on 11 May 1968, colonel on 1 October 1972, brigadier general on 1 October 1974 and major general on 1 January 1976.

He held various infantry appointments, becoming commander of the Ibadan Garrison (1970–1971) and GOC of 1 Infantry Division (1975–1979).

He was a member of the Supreme Military Council during the military regime of General Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo (1975–1979).

He was promoted to lieutenant general on 2 October 1979 and appointed Chief of Army Staff, and then became Chief of Defence Staff in 1980, during the civilian administration of Shehu Shagari.

He voluntarily retired from service with effect from 2 October 1981.

After retirement, Akinrinade engaged in large-scale farming and was chairman of Niger Feeds and Agriculture Operations (1982–1985).

In 1976 when Dimka killed the Head of State, Gen Murtala Mohammed, Akinrinade made a statement that foiled the coup. He was credited to have said that what was happening in Lagos didn’t affect other parts of Nigeria.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/20-things-you-don-t-know-about-akinrinade

i just noticed the only achievement of 90% of Nigerias Generals happen to be only between 1967 and 1970 , most of them were nobody before 1966 January 15 but became prominent in 1967 Juy 29 , more than 100 % of this generation of soldiers can not hold th forth against an external Army or an externally back aggression like the Boko Haram Militancy . Their edge seems to be declaring rule of engagement against unarmed groups or protesters.

Small provocation south Africa , they will reel out analysis upon analysis of how they are using out dated equipment and how they should be their brothers keeper, but when it has to be an endangered minority like Ogonis, Ijaw or IPOB , then these fellows will remember what they were taught in Sandhurst and other military universities.

Nice career...

God, help my life career too!

kettykin:
i just noticed the only achievement of 90% of Nigerias Generals happen to be only between 1967 and 1970 , most of them were nobody before 1966 January 15 but became prominent in 1967 Juy 29 more than 100 % of this generation of soldiers can not hold th forth against an external Army or an externally back aggression like the Boko Haram Militancy . Their edge seems to be declaring rule of engagement against unarmed groups or protesters.

Small provocation south Africa , they will reel out analysis upon analysis of how they are using out dated equipment and how they should be their brothers keeper, but when it has to be an endangered minority like Ogonis, Ijaw or IPOB , then these fellows will remember what they were taught in Sandhurst and other military universities.

What else can make a soldier prominent in Africa, if not war or coup

Tolexander:
What else can make a soldier prominent in Africa, if not war or coup

A beg, make una help me ask am o. There are decorated generals in other countries you will never know of except they are involved in a major conflict or politics.