₦airaland Forum

I'm going to give you a link to an account of the coup (once I find it). I also read Shagari's version of events from excerpts of his book "Beckoned to Serve".

Basically, there had been rumours that there would be a coup. I remember that my mum remarked that dignitaries at the Independence Parade looked swollen (bullet-proof vests). However, nobody was sure if and when the coup would happen.

Shagari went to Abuja for some peace and quiet, so that he could work on his budget speech. The coup planners had already recruited some of the air force personnel on Nigeria 001. They planned to fly Shagari to (I think it was Kaduna) where Bako was waiting. Mid-flight, the air force guys told Shagari that they had to divert, because conditions in Abuja were not suitable. However, Shagari insisted on landing at Abuja and he got his wish.

Back in the day Ikoyi road had some of Nigeria's most important security/government installations, but I was surprised that security wasn't tight on that road. All of that changed after the Orkar Coup. Road blocks were set up and you couldn't drive down Ikoyi Road between 6pm-6am.

On Ikoyi Road you have Dodan Barracks (the army barracks), Radio Nigeria (opposite the army barracks), State House (president's residence) and if you go to the end of the road and make two turns you'll get to Flag Staff House (Chief of Army Staff's house).

Yep! At that time, the elections were dubbed "the race for Ribadu Road". He mostly used the Ribadu Road gate. I remember the noise his motorcade made on Awolowo Rd, after receiving the Pope in 1982. He sometimes used the helicopter. However, he was at Aguda House, Abuja when Buhari staged the coup against him. (On the day of Buhari's coup I actually got very close to the section of Dodan Barracks that you see in the picture above, but we where turned back by a soldier at a road block @ the junction).

Most of the military heads of state used the Ribadu Road gate when they had visitors and the Obalende Road gate at other times. Babangida was the only head of state that I saw using the Ikoyi Road gate (When Prince Charles and Diana visited Nigeria in 1989).

Out of all the motorcades I saw, Buhari's motorcade tripped me the most. I loved the armoured fighting vehicles.


Shagari and Buhari used the helicopters to fly to the airport and back, but Babangida never used them (rumour was that he was scared it would be shot down).

Obasanjo (1999-2007) and Jonathan have also used helicopters to go from MMA to Dodan Barracks.

State House Marina circa 1950 (resized)

Changes I absolutely hate!

1) During the Obasanjo era (1999-2007) the iconic Dodan Barracks gate @ Ribadu Road was removed and replaced with an awful white gate. Thankfully, the other 2 state house entrances still have the iconic gate.

2) State House Marina was painted an awful shade of pink!

Dodan Barracks, Keffi Street, Obalende, South-West Ikoyi.

Dodan Barracks is an army barracks that has been the home of (1) the Federal Guards (?-1960s) The Brigade of Guards (1960s-1991), the Lagos Garrison Organisation (1990s) and presently, units of the 81st Division, Nigerian Army.

Behind Dodan Barracks is State House Ribadu Road.

1) Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Prime Minister of Nigeria), Princess Alexandria (representative of Queen Elizabeth II) & Sir James Robertson (Governor General of Nigeria) @ State House Marina. Behind them are Tafawa Balewa’s ministers (including Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, Otunba T.O.S Benson & Raymond Njoku).


2) State House Marina circa 1950


Oops! The 2nd picture is too large to upload on nairaland.

President Jonathan and Prime Minister Cameron @ State House Marina

Lagos House, Marina (residence of the Lagos State Governor, it should not be confused with State House Marina, which belongs to the Federal Government).

Tpia, I'm on the move at the moment, but I'll attempt answering your questions. Forgive me for any mistakes, I don't have the opportunity to cross-check facts, I'm recounting from memory.


MKO Abiola, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Olusegun Obasanjo attended the same secondary school in Abeokuta (think it was Baptist Boys High School). Wole Soyinka also attended the school, but he was in a different set/year. Fela's dad, Reverend Ransome-Kuti was the principal. MKO was editor of the school magazine and OBJ was his deputy.

MKO was from a poor, humble background. He sold firewood in order to earn a living. He later formed a band, which played at local events, in order to earn money to eat.

He got a scholarship to study at Glasgow University and earned a first class degree in accounting.

He worked at various institutions, including Barclays Bank, but the greatest source of controversy was the time he spent at International Telephones and Telegraph (ITT). He rose from being an accountant to being (was it executive director? Vice president?) Head of their africa section. So, the first allegation is that he "tricked? Blackmailed?" a top official of the company in order to get this position. Although he headed the africa section, he spent a lot of his time in the United States, got involved in business there and made a lot of money. Second allegation says that he used his connections to get contracts from the Murtala Regime. According to the allegations, ITT was supposed to supply (It changes every time I hear the tale) to P&T. It is alleged that he made a lot of money from those contracts.

I'll be back in a second.

Unfortunately we don't keep records. There's a video clip I'd love to have. There was an event in the early 1990's at which MKO was the guest of honour. It was shown on LTV. He spoke extensively about his life.

He pointed to a gentleman in the audience. The man was his classmate @ Abeokuta. MKO would borrow the man's textbooks (he was too poor to buy books) and read overnight or at weekends, yet he would get a higher grade than the man.

I think Sir Shina Peters was on the bandstand. MKO performed with him (remember that MKO was a musician and band leader).

I wish I had the tape of that event.

Letter of appreciation from MKO Abiola’s family to President Jonathan!


Your Excellency, We wish to publicly offer our profound appreciation for your unprecedented recognition of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the ideals he lived by and the noble cause he died for. As you honoured him, we honour you. We have watched in dismay and bafflement, the futile efforts of previous governments to bury the uncommon heroism of MKO Abiola.

While looking ahead to your plans to shepherd this nation, you looked behind to acknowledge those you paved the path you now tread. Many sing by rote, the words “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain” while you embody that principle. Your labour over our country will never be in vain, by the grace of the Almighty Allah.

As our leader, you chose the time and manner that you would honour this great Nigerian. It was without our input but with our full approval. His sacrifices and contributions across every sphere of public life are too numerous to list. There has never been a philanthropist on the scale of MKO Abiola in the history of Nigeria. His oft-repeated life’s ambition was to touch the life of every Nigerian one way or another.

[b]He may have succeeded in the area of education alone. In March 1990, he donated N1m (equivalent of N40 million in 2010) to each State University, N50,000 (N2 million in 2010) to each Federal University for student welfare, N20,000 (N800,000 in 2010) to the libraries of each Federal University and N25,000 (N1 million in 2010) to each Polytechnic and College of Education. He is credited with the construction of 63 secondary schools and 41 libraries. He established Abiola Bookshops to provide affordable, locally produced textbooks in the 1980s when imported textbooks became out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians when the Naira was devalued.

He awarded over 1,000 scholarships to deserving students in tertiary institutions at home and abroad. In addition those awarded by the Federal Government, MKO Abiola awarded bursaries to every single student from Ogun State. For every N500 they received from the Federal government, they received N250 from MKO Abiola. To delve into his contributions in sports, culture and welfare would turn this letter into a thesis. In politics as in philanthropy, he is unequalled. He broke tribal and religious barriers to a clear victory.

He chose the path of valour and fought for the collective will of Nigerians from the four corners of this nation and everywhere in between. He willingly returned from exile, knowing the consequences of that action, prepared to pay with his life. The circumstances of his death shook the polity to its foundations and established the democracy we enjoy today, by far the longest period of rule by the people in our history.

He lost his wife, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, his businesses were decimated yet he voluntarily stayed in detention, rejecting conditional release. He died refusing to betray the mandate given to him by those who betray his memory today. No honour is too great for one of the men and women who laid down their lives for the democracy we enjoy today, that enables some to take to the streets, uttering irresponsible, abhorrent nonsense.

We take a leaf from your book and illustrate the line “help our youth the truth to know”. The government of Egypt named a school after him in appreciation of his contribution after a devastating earthquake. Egyptians did not take to the street yet to their eternal shame, some people in Lagos did. But as the great man would say, as one is crying one should still see. The machinations and motives of those sponsoring the protests are obvious.[/b]

If thirteen years of deafening silence from the Federal Government built on the blood of this man could not diminish his legacy, the actions of a few hooligans and rascals with no sense of history will certainly not. All glory and honour reside in the hands of the Almighty Allah, a righteous judge.

MKO Abiola will not be denied. We now turn to those groups who feel that their positions have been threatened by an unprecedented act of grace by Your Excellency and urge them to desist. The general elections are three years away. There is no need for blind panic or for using MKO Abiola’s name and the larger issue of June 12th to score cheap political points against the ruling party. We urge them to focus on the task of national and regional development. We assure you of our support of any decision you take in this matter. We had no expectation of your gracious gesture and neither did MKO Abiola.

He was driven by his love for Nigeria, not by the anticipation of honours. The few words you spoke provided justice and peace. No “masthead” can ever do that. We are satisfied and we are appreciative. You have acted as one who fears God and seeks to lead in justice and truth according to His will. In the final analysis and in view of the fickleness and short memory of some “students”, that is all that matters.

We conclude with the assurance that your honouree would not be disturbed by this furore were he alive to witness it. When we would tell him we don’t like his nickname of Father Christmas and ask him why he gives so much, he would say that he is not doing it for the people but for Allah and that if he helps a thousand people and only one remembers that’s enough for him. It is enough for us too as is the certain fact that in due course, each of us will go where MKO Abiola has gone and leave children behind.

With profound gratitude,

Alhaji (Chief) Mubashiru Abiola

Chief (Mrs) Adebisi Abiola

Chief (Mrs.) Omolola Abiola – Edewor

Alhaji Olalekan Abiola

Miss Ayobami Abiola

Alhaji Jamiu Abiola

Mrs Bolanle Akande

Mr Abdul Abiola

http://solakuti.com/letter-of-appreciation-from-mkos-family-to-president-jonathan/

Letter of appreciation from MKO Abiola’s family to President Jonathan!


Your Excellency, We wish to publicly offer our profound appreciation for your unprecedented recognition of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the ideals he lived by and the noble cause he died for. As you honoured him, we honour you. We have watched in dismay and bafflement, the futile efforts of previous governments to bury the uncommon heroism of MKO Abiola.

While looking ahead to your plans to shepherd this nation, you looked behind to acknowledge those you paved the path you now tread. Many sing by rote, the words “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain” while you embody that principle. Your labour over our country will never be in vain, by the grace of the Almighty Allah.

As our leader, you chose the time and manner that you would honour this great Nigerian. It was without our input but with our full approval. His sacrifices and contributions across every sphere of public life are too numerous to list. There has never been a philanthropist on the scale of MKO Abiola in the history of Nigeria. His oft-repeated life’s ambition was to touch the life of every Nigerian one way or another.

[b]He may have succeeded in the area of education alone. In March 1990, he donated N1m (equivalent of N40 million in 2010) to each State University, N50,000 (N2 million in 2010) to each Federal University for student welfare, N20,000 (N800,000 in 2010) to the libraries of each Federal University and N25,000 (N1 million in 2010) to each Polytechnic and College of Education. He is credited with the construction of 63 secondary schools and 41 libraries. He established Abiola Bookshops to provide affordable, locally produced textbooks in the 1980s when imported textbooks became out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians when the Naira was devalued.

He awarded over 1,000 scholarships to deserving students in tertiary institutions at home and abroad. In addition those awarded by the Federal Government, MKO Abiola awarded bursaries to every single student from Ogun State. For every N500 they received from the Federal government, they received N250 from MKO Abiola. To delve into his contributions in sports, culture and welfare would turn this letter into a thesis. In politics as in philanthropy, he is unequalled. He broke tribal and religious barriers to a clear victory.

He chose the path of valour and fought for the collective will of Nigerians from the four corners of this nation and everywhere in between. He willingly returned from exile, knowing the consequences of that action, prepared to pay with his life. The circumstances of his death shook the polity to its foundations and established the democracy we enjoy today, by far the longest period of rule by the people in our history.

He lost his wife, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, his businesses were decimated yet he voluntarily stayed in detention, rejecting conditional release. He died refusing to betray the mandate given to him by those who betray his memory today. No honour is too great for one of the men and women who laid down their lives for the democracy we enjoy today, that enables some to take to the streets, uttering irresponsible, abhorrent nonsense.

We take a leaf from your book and illustrate the line “help our youth the truth to know”. The government of Egypt named a school after him in appreciation of his contribution after a devastating earthquake. Egyptians did not take to the street yet to their eternal shame, some people in Lagos did. But as the great man would say, as one is crying one should still see. The machinations and motives of those sponsoring the protests are obvious.[/b]

If thirteen years of deafening silence from the Federal Government built on the blood of this man could not diminish his legacy, the actions of a few hooligans and rascals with no sense of history will certainly not. All glory and honour reside in the hands of the Almighty Allah, a righteous judge.

MKO Abiola will not be denied. We now turn to those groups who feel that their positions have been threatened by an unprecedented act of grace by Your Excellency and urge them to desist. The general elections are three years away. There is no need for blind panic or for using MKO Abiola’s name and the larger issue of June 12th to score cheap political points against the ruling party. We urge them to focus on the task of national and regional development. We assure you of our support of any decision you take in this matter. We had no expectation of your gracious gesture and neither did MKO Abiola.

He was driven by his love for Nigeria, not by the anticipation of honours. The few words you spoke provided justice and peace. No “masthead” can ever do that. We are satisfied and we are appreciative. You have acted as one who fears God and seeks to lead in justice and truth according to His will. In the final analysis and in view of the fickleness and short memory of some “students”, that is all that matters.

We conclude with the assurance that your honouree would not be disturbed by this furore were he alive to witness it. When we would tell him we don’t like his nickname of Father Christmas and ask him why he gives so much, he would say that he is not doing it for the people but for Allah and that if he helps a thousand people and only one remembers that’s enough for him. It is enough for us too as is the certain fact that in due course, each of us will go where MKO Abiola has gone and leave children behind.

With profound gratitude,

Alhaji (Chief) Mubashiru Abiola

Chief (Mrs) Adebisi Abiola

Chief (Mrs.) Omolola Abiola – Edewor

Alhaji Olalekan Abiola

Miss Ayobami Abiola

Alhaji Jamiu Abiola

Mrs Bolanle Akande

Mr Abdul Abiola

http://solakuti.com/letter-of-appreciation-from-mkos-family-to-president-jonathan/

Bump

From Don Juan Manuel's version of "The Miller, His Son And The Donkey"

In thy chosen life’s adventures, steadfastly pursue the cause,

Neither moved by critic’s censure, nor the multitude’s applause.

Sorry for the break in transmission, been busy. I support Gani’s position that if we keep saying we aren’t ready, then we’ll never be ready. I prefer that we examine possible problems and possible solutions to these problems.

Until now, things have been going according to the way I predicted it would when I looked into this between 1998-2002. Necessity forced people to do what is inevitable. Governors Marwa and Tinubu have responded to this need. Necessity has put us on the road to state police.

Inevitability (the road to state police).

1) Local Governments: Since the 1980s, various local governments in Lagos have created uniformed traffic police forces. This was necessitated by the terrible traffic jams in Lagos. However, this often brought censure from the Federal and Lagos State Government, because (a) some of the traffic policemen abused their power and victimised members of the public (b) Some of these traffic police forces were used by the Local Governments to extort money from the public (c) The state and federal governments felt that the local governments were acting ultra-vires the constitution.

2) Colonel Marwa - Operation Sweep: Colonel Mohammed Buba Marwa created the security outfit named “Operation Sweep”, despite opposition from some generals, particularly his arch-enemy General Ishaya Bamaiyi. In the mid 1990s Lagos had been taken over by armed robbers, particularly cross border bandits from Benin, Mali and Togo. The Federal Police, controlled from Abuja, had been unable to contain the onslaught by these bandits because of poor funding, lack of equipment, centralised command structure, corruption, etc. Colonel Marwa realised that he had to create an outfit that he could fund appropriately, that could be more responsive to the specific needs of Lagos, etc. Operation Sweep was equipped with bulletproof vests (which the federal police lacked), vehicles and communication equipment purchased by the Lagos State Government.

However, some generals warned Abacha about the dangers of allowing a state governor control troops and policemen. Operation Sweep could be used as a cover to stage a coup. Colonel Marwa was put under security watch by DMI. At a point, the soldiers attached to operation sweep were withdrawn. However, Colonel Marwa was able to present his case directly to Abacha and the troops were returned back to Operation Sweep. The outfit was successful, although there were accusations that the outfit also killed innocent Nigerians.

3) Governor Tinubu - KAI, LASTMA, Neighbourhood Watch, etc: One of Governor Tinubu’s first actions was to rename “Operation Sweep”. It’s now called “Rapid Response Squad”. The soldiers were withdrawn from the squad. Unfortunately, the soldiers took the bullet-proof vests, vehicles, etc (which had been purchased with Lagos State funds) with them when they returned to the barracks.

Governor Tinubu also established special state police forces. These included the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), which is basically the state traffic police, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), which is basically the state environment police and the Neighbourhood Watch (Security), Lagos Sheriffs, etc. While LASTMA, KAI and the other agencies have been successful, the Neighbourhood Watch suffered several setbacks following clashes with the federal police, particularly with members of Mopol 2 at Keffi Street, Ikoyi. The Neighbourhood Watch was subsequently scaled back. LASTMA also suffered opposition from federal authorities, particularly during the tenure of Adeseye Ogunlewe (federal minister of works), but it currently enjoys cooperation from the Nigeria Police, FRSC and other federal agencies.

4) Governor Fashola – Security Council, Security Trust Fund, RRS (and Neighbourhood Watch?). Governor Fashola has used the Security Trust Fund to adequately equip the Rapid Response Squad and other security agencies to meet the needs of Lagos. The agencies request for specific training or equipment and then defend their request before the management of the security trust fund. With this method, boats, bullet-proof vests, helicopter, armoured cars, ammunition, etc have been purchased. The forensic lab at Oshodi has also been re-equipped. However, this method suffers from the same problem operation sweep suffered. Men of the police force who have been trained and equipped by the Lagos State Government can easily be transferred out of the state and Lagos would thus lose the expertise that it has paid for.

The Governor has also used the mechanism of the State Security Council to improve relations between the various security agencies (both state and federal) in the state and also improve relations between the government and the security agencies. Members of the State Security Council include, the state governor, representatives of the police (Lagos State Commissioner of Police), Army (Brigade Commander 9th Brigade Ikeja), Navy (Commander NNS Beecroft), Air Force, SSS, etc.

*However, I believe that the governor should properly activate the Neighbourhood Watch and fit them into the role vacated by the Civil Defence. Due to military rule, the Civil Defence has metamorphosed into a parallel police force. That's not its original role. It was meant to serve as a citizen’s emergency response and security outfit. It shouldn’t be a standing force (it had very few full time members and was largely made up of part-time volunteers). One of my guards was a member of the Civil Defence in the 1980s. They had regular jobs during the week and only attended weekend civil defence training. The corps was made up of members of the community including landlords, security guards, elders of the community, etc. They lived in the community and knew the community very well. They could settle disputes, report suspicious activity to their superiors who would inform the government/police. They were also trained in fire-fighting techniques (my favourite part of the training) and first aid. This is because they are first responders who live in the community and can take action before the police, fire service or ambulance arrives. In short, they are involved in community policing.


Solutions

1) I subscribe to the view that says that we should split the posts of Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

The Minister of Justice would be appointed by the President/Governor and would be in charge of administrative matters, drafting laws, etc. He would be the government’s legal adviser.

The attorney general should be appointed by an independent body (National Judicial Council, etc) and should be in charge of prosecutions and the police force. This would ensure that politicians can not interfere in cases of bribery, corruption, murder, electoral fraud, etc.

2) A key problem with the Nigerian Police is that there is no independent agency to police it. While listening to Lagos State Police Command radio between 2001-2003, I realised that superiors accepted whatever their juniors told them without investigating further. No wonder the former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero said he was surprised that Deputy Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Ibrahim killed the Apo 6, because Ibrahim was “one of his best officers”. When a subordinate kills somebody and reports to his superior that he has killed an armed robber, the superior accepts his subordinate’s story without further investigation because they are both members of the same organisation and it is their organisation against the world. Therefore, I propose that a council should be set up to investigate the police and entertain petitions against policemen. This council will have an investigating arm and an adjudicating arm. When I first thought of this in 2001 I imagined that the panel would be composed of people like Ayo Obe, Wole Soyinka, etc. At that time, I also imagined that the head of the investigative/prosecuting arm could be someone like Nuhu Ribadu, a police lawyer who gave an impressive performance at the Human Rights Verification Investigation Panel (A.K.A Oputa Panel), but unfortunately he was a member of the police force. However, what’s important is that the members of both arms of the commission are independent of politicians and the police.

3) Civics: (This section is taken from another article I wrote). We are told that a democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people. This means that the people have to make important decisions about who to elect and what types of policies and laws they want. How will they do this if they are not properly educated and do not have the required knowledge. Most Nigerians do not know how to analyse the budget, yet it is their money that is being spent and the money should be spent for their benefit. Again, most Nigerians are unaware of their rights under the constitution and thus they easily succumb when policemen and politicians trample on their rights.

Again, an individual is expected to be a good citizen, but how will he be a good citizen if he does not know what that involves. I propose that every student in Nigerian schools should study civics from primary 3 to SSS2 at the minimum. This would go a long way in changing Nigerian society and solving some of the societal problems we have in Nigeria. Some of the topics/courses that should be studied are:

Environmental Science: Nigerians need to be taught the impact of their activities on the environment. They need to be taught why a paper bag is better than a polythene bag. Why it is wrong to defecate or throw rubbish into the lagoon/river. Why it is wrong to litter, etc. many people believe that citizens should automatically know that these practices are bad, but it won’t really sink in unless they are taught these things from childhood (socialization).
Sex education: Sex education is critically important in Nigeria at the moment. There is an epidemic of rape, child abuse and sexually transmitted diseases ravaging the country. Students need to be taught the medical, social, economic and spiritual consequences of having sex. They also need to know how to protect themselves.
Health education: Most Nigerians do not know what to do in the event of a health emergency and many lives are lost as a result. A persons life can be saved if appropriate action is taken within a few minutes of the emergency occurring. Students need to know what to do as a first responder in cases of drowning, bleeding, fracture, choking, smoke inhalation, burns, etc. with such knowledge they can save the lives of fellow citizens. A doctor, nurse or red cross official should be on hand to teach the students.
Road safety: students need to be taught road safety, both from the point of view of pedestrians and the point of view of motorists. They should be taught to use the pedestrian bridge, zebra crossing, etc rather than jay walking. They should be taught the traffic signs and symbols, etc. Students who are 17/18 years of age should take driving classes. These measure would go a long way in ensuring safety on our roads.
Government, democracy and human rights: Students should be taught how their government works. They should know the duties of the different arms and levels of government and the duties of citizens. This would ensure that they can hold government accountable and that greedy politicians won’t mislead them. They should be taught about elections and the power of their vote. They should be taught their fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution. This would ensure that they are prepared to defend and enforce such rights. Students should study this http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm and this http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/LAWS/108.pdf

4) As I said earlier, state police would ensure that there’s competition for the tag of “best police force” and that ideas that would lead to better police practices are thrown up. For example, a policeman whose neighbour (in the barracks) or team member has recently been killed in action should undergo psychological evaluation before he is allowed back on active duty. The same should apply to policemen who have recently killed people.

naptu2: This is the type of thing that Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Nigerdock should be doing.

Instead of producing salt http://www.dicon.gov.ng/aboutus.html

This is the type of thing that Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Nigerdock should be doing.

The miller, his son and the donkey is a widely dispersed fable, number 721 in the Perry Index. Though it may have ancient analogues, the earliest extant version is in the work of the 13th century Arab writer Ibn Said. There are many eastern versions of the tale and in Europe it was included in a number of Mediaeval collections. Since then it has been frequently included in collections of Aesop's fables as well as the influential Fables of Jean de la Fontaine.


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_miller,_his_son_and_the_donkey

The state houses have been shown in the media many times, but people are usually too engrossed in the story to notice. Some examples.

1) President Babangida and other top government functionaries were usually interviewed in front of council chambers at Dodan Barracks. There was a famous/infamous moment when journalist almost prevented Babangida from getting into his car after a council meeting (I'm not going to write about the controversy, but those who watched it would remember).

2) When Halima was born, President Babangida was joking with journalists on the state house lawn (he was searching for the cartoonist that drew a picture of him holding a feeding bottle). You could see the houses in the background.

3) The bird flu crisis, when all the birds (including the peacocks and ostriches) at Aso Rock zoo were killed (they showed the zoo, etc).

4) Ministers are often interviewed in front of the council chambers at Aso Rock.

5) They often showed Obasanjo, Atiku, etc walking down the walkway above, when going from their offices to the council chambers.

6) The car park is often shown when visiting dignitaries (eg Tony Blair, ambassadors) inspect the guard of honour.

7) My favourite state house is state house marina and the exterior was shown on tv on each occasion when Margaret Thatcher, King Juan Carlos, Robert Mugabe visited Babangida. It was shown when David Cameron visited Jonathan and when Jonathan hosted the Nigeria @ 50 dinner.

8 ) There was an NTA news programme (forgotten what it's called) that had the presenter signing off while standing in front of the council chambers at Aso Rock.

9) On independence day a few years ago, Thisday newspapers published a huge picture of the council chambers at Aso Rock on its front page.

10) Newsline once showed Babangida working out at the gym at Dodan Barracks.

11) I believe everybody has seen footage of the council chambers, the president's office, the president's conference room and the vice president's conference room.

12) Chris Anyanwu had a short lived tv show. On an eppisode of the show she followed President Obasanjo around for two days. They showed the sitting room (where he has his morning fellowship) and even showed inside Nigeria 001 (also known as the presidential jet).

And there are many other examples.

BBA is designed to make money for the television company, sponsors and participants and entertain the audience.

ypzilanti: So... the original founders of Nigeria thought it appropriate to have a simple well guarded house the appeared accessible to the people, but once the shenenigans of coup plots and corruption started, the leaders had to run away and hide from the people.

Im not putting words in your mouth...just reflecting on you informative post. Thanks for the information I knew about the state house marina, but thought it was for the premier of the south western region.

Yes, this was at the beginning of the civil war and they felt that State House Marina was not safe. (By the way, the Western Region state house was in Ibadan).


My memory of the events I describe in this next paragraph is foggy, so forgive me for any mistakes. In 1979 journalists asked Nnamdi Azikiwe where he would live if he became president; State House Marina (where he lived between 1960-1966) or State House Dodan Barracks. Zik replied that it would be crazy to argue with a man holding a gun (interpreted to mean he'd rather live at Marina).

Akinola Aguda House was the Abuja residence of the president between circa 1981-1991 (Justice Akinola Aguda was the chairman of the committee that selected Abuja as the new federal capital). President Shehu Shagari was at Aguda Lodge when Muhammadu Buhari staged his coup (Shagari said he went to Abuja for some peace and quiet/get away from politicians so that he could work on his budget speech).


In 1991, President Babangida moved the seat of government to Abuja and moved in to house 5 at the newly built Presidential Complex, Abuja (Aso Rock Villa).

Aguda House is sometimes used as the President's guest house (Queen Elizabeth stayed there when she visited Nigeria) and sometimes as the vice president's residence.

State House Marina is also sometimes used as the president's guest house. Jimmy Carter stayed there when he paid a state visit to Nigeria.

Supersonic warship!

I have to say I'm really proud of Admiral Adekeye! He had the idea that ships could be built and repaired in Nigeria, thereby conserving foreign exchange. Under his watch, the long dead NNS Obuma was revived, by Nigerian engineers, to serve as a training frigate and now this. Well done!

State House Ribadu Road used to be the official residence of the minister of defence (Mallam Ribadu). It is beside the Federal Guards (Dodan) Barracks.

However, General Gowon felt that State House Marina was not safe/did not offer enough security (there were rumours that Major General Ironsi used to cross the Marina and sleep aboard a navy gunboat every night). He therefore mandated Joseph Garba to find a suitable residence for the Head of State/Supreme Commander.

Joe Garba decided that State House Ribadu Road would be a suitable residence. Parts of Ribadu Road were blocked off (Ribadu Road used to link Awolowo Road to Ikoyi Road) and the compound expanded. The name was changed to State House Dodan Barracks (although it is not located in Dodan Barracks).

Unlike State House Marina, which is a mansion, Dodan Barracks is a complex that contains the president's residence, office block, council chambers, press centre, etc.

Dodan is the name of a place in Burma where Nigerian soldiers died while making a last stand.

State House Marina is a mansion in a compound. If you take a walk down Marina Street, heading towards Ikoyi, you would come across State House Marina (across the road from NET Building), then Lagos House Marina (residence of the Lagos State Governor), then Flag Staff House (Lagos residence of the Chief of Army Staff, it used to be the Prime Ministers residence, I.e. Balewa was kidnapped from that house), and then, across the road is the former residence of the finance minister (where Okotie Eboh was kidnapped).

Justice Akinola Aguda House.

Gate

Inside the Council Chambers, State House, The Aso Rock Villa.

Here's the 2011 thread https://www.nairaland.com/724445/anyone-here-seen-aso-rock There's an older thread, but I just can't remember/find it.