₦airaland Forum

Sammy07:
Wow! So you don't like Igbos to be insulted

When you and your supreme dilector dey insult other tribes, den shout?

You never see anything bro.
Oil will soon dry and agriculture take place.
Which north and south west leads In agriculture.
You'll cry blood when it's time.


Till then, enjoy.

when that time come, you guys will still send agriculture money our way. No be one Nigeria ni?

IBOs sold tribalisms to Nigeria Army and every other joined

Bede2u:
when that time come, you guys will still send agriculture money our way. No be one Nigeria ni?

Don't worry about what will happen to agriculture money.
Till then, let's Enjoy our One Nigeria (Oil money)

Sammy07:
Don't worry about what will happen to agriculture money.
Till then, let's Enjoy our One Nigeria (Oil money)

my brother...na so

SonOfEl:
You are very dubious... Another ploy to accuse igbo of tribalism and bash them. The first Igbo officer was Ugboma, not even bassey.

That's an oversight.the point is why ironsi was dubiously elevated above bassey

Christistruth00:
What happened to Wellington Bassey's was very wicked and shameful.He was the most senior Army Officer but because he was from Calabar his career was Sabotaged by those who believed he was not on their side. By the time Zik realised his mistake during the Biafran War he confessed that Gen Ironsi should have made Wellington Bassey Governor of the Eastern Region and not Ojukwu as he was by far Ojukwu 's senior in the Army. He retired from Gowons Govt as a Brigadier in 1975.

Yet again you are misfiring. There are Igbo officers higher than Ojukwu in rank and were not picked to become the governor of Eastern region.

Try and find out about people like Col. Njoku, an Igboman from Awka. He was also overlooked, and Ojukwu picked.
Even during the Biafran struggle, he was overlooked and Col. Efiong picked ahead of him as the vice president of Biafra

So you see, yet again, you have misfired.
How come you are not asking for "justice" for Col. Njoku? Your Igbophobia will not allow you to see that.

Oh yea Shadowy one, please try and get a life. Igbos are beyond reproach in this game. We do not have a history of hurting people just because they are not Igbos

The kind of threads I don't like because finally instead of learning something from it we fight n abuse each other's tribe.

Igboid:
Beginning to sound like?

Nah the same people. Apples do not fall far from the tree.

Nnaa see me, see me trouble. SW almajiris doing their best to rubbish the impeccable record of Ndigbo. Even the Cambridge university vice chancellor, Sir Willinks made it known pointblank, that Igbos are beyond reproach in spite of all the trumped up allegations.
In the same vein, Sir Willinks spotted the deviousness of the SW, tagging them SHADOWY, a trait that has remained with them till now. Haba.

They should really learn from Igbos, and pick up civilised manners from the great Igbo race. All we get from them is SHADOWINESS, according to WIllinks, a neutral observer

senatordave1:
That's an oversight.the point is why ironsi was dubiously elevated above bassey

Ask the colonial masters who promoted Ironsi, it wasn't even Zik or Tafawa balewa. The military was still run by the colonialists even after independence. They didn't leave immediately.

senatordave1:
You have said it all.there's no way ojukwu who was by far hes junior will be made governor of the eastern region above him if not for sabotage.this is why ss cannot be in Biafra

According to Zik 3 Eastern Minority Army officers were senior to Ojukwu they were Bassey, Effiong , Kurubo and two Igbo Officers ( Imoh and Njoku). But W.U Bassey was senior to all of them.
Another naval Officer who could have been appointed and was senior to Ojukwu was Commodore Akinwale Wey who was also a Calabar man with a Yoruba mother. He later became Gowons second in command and was there till 1975.

SonOfEl:
Ask the colonial masters who promoted Ironsi, it wasn't even Zik or Tafawa balewa. The military was still run by the colonialists even after independence. They didn't leave immediately.

It was the NCNC/NPC coalition Government that recommended Ironsi for promotion. Zik and NCNC didn't even bother to press the case for Bassey's Promotions at all though he was also from the East and the most senior ,he was given a posting meant for a Captain and left there while his mates were going to international senior officers courses and Postings .All promotions beyond Major require political approval.

Christistruth00:
It was the NCNC/NPC coalition Government that recommended Ironsi for promotion. Zik and NCNC didn't even bother to press the case for Bassey's Promotions at all though he was also from the East and the most senior ,he was given a posting meant for a Captain and left there while his mates were going to international senior officers courses and Postings .All promotions beyond Major require political approval.

yes, politicians make recommendation but it is based on the submission given by the most senior military cadre. Ogundipe and Ironsi were the most favored by the outgoing colonialists.

Christistruth00:
According to Zik 3 Eastern Minority officers were senior to Ojukwu they were Bassey, Effiong , Kurubo and two Igbo Officers ( Imoh and Njoku). But W.U Bassey was senior to all of them.
Another naval Officer who could have been appointed and was senior to Ojukwu was Commodore Akinwale Wey who was also a Calabar man with a Yoruba mother. He later became Gowons second in command and was there till 1975.

Hmmm.are you sure hes from calabar? There's no mention of such person in crs history,nothing memorable to immortalize him.it may be akwa ibom.
I thought murtala was 2ind command to gowon

superlightning:
yes, politicians make recommendation but it is based on the submission given by the most senior military cadre. Ogundipe and Ironsi were the most favored by the outgoing colonialists.

How could W.U Bassey's who though senior to both men and had been relegated into a Captains posting for years have gotten the necessary experience to favour him to become the head of the Army?

Christistruth00:
How could W.U Bassey's who though senior to both had been relegated into a Captains posting for years have gotten the necessary experience to become the head of the Army?

Ask the outgoing colonial masters running the military affairs of the country then

superlightning:
Ask the outgoing colonial masters running the military affairs of the country then

They didn't stagnate Bassey's Career . On 1st October 1960 the British gave Nigeria independence with Ogundipe , Ironsi and Bassey on the same Rank of Major but Bassey was most senior.

Christistruth00:
They didn't stagnate Bassey's Career . On 1st October 1960 the British gave Nigeria independence with Ogundipe, Ironsi and Bassey on the same Rank of Major but Bassey was most senior.

Even after October 1st, the outgoing colonialists were still functioning in the military.

superlightning:
Even after October 1st, the outgoing colonialists were still functioning in the military.

For the record the British thought highly of Wellinton Bassey, he had fought in tne 2nd World War and was one of their most loyal and longest serving soldiers and the Queen of England had Awarded him an MBE while he was a Major .
It was Zik and NCNCs political intrigues that put his career on hold anyway Ironsi finally promoted him to Colonel at the same time as Ojukwu who was 11 years Bassey's junior officer after Ironsi had taken over power and become Head of State after the Jan 66 Coup, 30 years after Bassey joined the Army . Bassey deserved that promotion. Ojukwu was still only 33 years old imagine Wellington Bassey had joined the Army when Ojukwu was only 3 years old.
It was Yakubu Gowon (A Northerner ) who finally made Wellington Duke U Bassey of Calabar a General when he promoted him to full Brigadier in 1967.

gidgiddy:
The answer can be found in late Brigadier Hillary Njoku's book "Tragedy without Heroes". Njoku was still new in the Army when British started the process of indigenising the officer corps of the Nigerian Army. They chose one of the oldest NCO's, Wellington Bassey, to be the first to go for 3 months officers training in Britain. On completion of his course and return to Nigeria, two much younger NCO's, Ironsi and Ademulegun were sent on the same course

The problem Bassey had was that he was an old Soldier who had no ambition. While Ironsi and Ademulegun where jumping at every opportunity to go on different courses abroad, Bassey was happy to stay in Nigeria and do his thing. Another thing was that Bassey was not as educated as Ironsi and Ademulegun. Njoku also stated in book that Bassey could not effectively command a brigade of Soldiers, let alone a division. So it was inevitable that younger, more hardworking and more ambitious officers eventually surpassed him.

A combination of age, education, ambition and capacity meant that Bassey never rose above the rank of Lt Colonel and quickly retired when Gowon came to power.

would love to read that book and many of such. where can i get it pls? any recommendations?

MelesZenawi:
Go and raise Bassey from dead and make him a General


After all most pastors are raising people from dead but can't cure covid-19 patients.

How does the topic relate to pastors...your comment doesn't make sense,if you don't know what to say, read and pass and stop trying to ridicule pastors....

senatordave1:
Hmmm.are you sure hes from calabar? There's no mention of such person in crs history,nothing memorable to immortalize him.it may be akwa ibom.
I thought murtala was 2ind command to gowon

Are you surprised Gowons deputy Commodore Wey was from Calabar ? Yes Akinwale Weys Father was from Calabar and his mum was Lagos Yoruba hence the Akinwale in his name. Under Ironsi he headed the small navy at the time but Gowon got there and made him his 2nd in Command and adviser. The Man did all he knew to prevent the War he was even at Aburi with Gowon.

Christistruth00:
For the record the British thought highly of Wellinton Bassey, he had fought in tne 2nd World War and was one of their most loyal and longest serving soldiers it was Zik and NCNCs political intrigues that put his career on hold anyway Ironsi finally promoted him to Brigadier at last after Ironsi had become Head of State after the Jan 66 Coup, 30 years after Bassey joined the Army . Bassey deserved that promotion. Ojukwu was still only 33 years old imagine Wellington Bassey had joined the Army when Ojukwu was only 3 years old.

Bassey was not discriminated at, at least not by his fellow eastern regioners. that I know if that's what you are trying to insinuate.

superlightning:
Bassey was not discriminated at, at least not by his fellow eastern regioners. that I know if that's what you are trying to insinuate.

4 Eastern Minority Military Officers were passed over by Ironsi for Ojukwu to emerge as Governor of the Eastern Region. Bassey , Kurubo, Effiong, Akinwale Wey a month later Adaka Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic.Why do you think the minorities were not happy? 3 of those Eastern Minority Officers sided with Gowon during the following Civil War. Only Effiong supported Ojukwu .The 2 Igbo Officers who were passed over were Njoku and Imoh.

SIONKPO1:
At times we just should apologise and move on
I think zik played ethnic politics by ensuring that Ironsi and Ojukwu were promoted and Bassey's promotion was delayed

All you shadowy figures, Zik was not the prime minister with executive powers

Anyway, I have pointed out the fact that Njoku was Ojukwu's senior, yet he was overlooked, both as a governor, and as the vice president of Biafra, in preference to an eastern minority Col. Efiong.
The above is some real spanner in your devious work

OfoIgbo:
All you shadowy figures, Zik was not the prime minister with executive powers

Anyway, I have pointed out the fact that Njoku was Ojukwu's senior, yet he was overlooked, both as a governor, and as the vice president of Biafra, in preference to an eastern minority Col. Efiong.
The above is some real spanner in your devious work

It was a local ethnic politics that was played
abeg learn to accept wrongs,apologise and let go

Christistruth00:
4 Eastern Minority Military Officers were passed over by Ironsi for Ojukwu to emerge as Governor of the Eastern Region. Bassey , Kurubo, Effiong, Akinwale Wey a month later Adaka Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic.Why do you think the minorities were not happy? 3 of those Eastern Minority Officers sided with Gowon during the following Civil War. Only Effiong supported Ojukwu .The 2 Igbo Officers who were passed over were Njoku and Imoh.

At least you can now see that Igbo officers were passed over also. I am happy you guys are now seeing it. The question you should be asking yourself is this. Why was Ojukwu chosen as the governor over those that outranked him, from the east. The answer is simple.
Ojukwu played a very prominent and critical role in the crushing of Nzeogwu's coup. His actions that day, made him an obvious choice to benefit as the governor. It also helped to have a dad who was quite well known then, but the clincher for him, was the role he played in crushing Nzeogwu, Ademoyega, Ifeajuna coup

OfoIgbo:
At least you can now see that Igbo officers were passed over also. I am happy you guys are now seeing it. The question you should be asking yourself is this. Why was Ojukwu chosen as the governor over those that outranked him, from the east. The answer is simple.
Ojukwu played a very prominent and critical role in the crushing of Nzeogwu's coup. His actions that day, made him an obvious choice to benefit as the governor. It also helped to have a dad who was quite well known then, but the clincher for him, was the role he played in crushing Nzeogwu, Ademoyega, Ifeajuna coup

W.U Bassey had helped to resist the Coup and 2 Igbo Officers to 4 Eastern Minority Officers being passed over for Ojukwu to emerge as Governor of the Eastern Region was pure discrimination and the Eastern minorities resented it. Remember Gen Ironsi (Bassey's Junior ) was already Head of Army and later Head of State after Zik and NCNC had played ludo with W.U Bassey's 30 year Army Career.

Christistruth00:
4 Eastern Minority Military Officers were passed over by Ironsi for Ojukwu to emerge as Governor of the Eastern Region. Bassey , Kurubo, Effiong, Akinwale Wey a month later Adaka Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic.Why do you think the minorities were not happy? 3 of those Eastern Minority Officers sided with Gowon during the following Civil War. Only Effiong supported Ojukwu .The 2 Igbo Officers who were passed over were Njoku and Imoh.

Thank God you eventually admitted that Igbo officers were also overlooked. This isn't an ethnic issue.

superlightning:
Thank God you eventually admitted that Igbo officers were also overlooked. This isn't an ethnic issue.

Zik complained that Gen Ironsi had discriminated against the Senior Eastern Minority Officers just to .ensure Ojukwu emerged as Governor of the Eastern Region. This is the reason many believe Ojukwu was part of the Coup that put Ironsi in power. He never declared his loyalty till after Ironsi had taken over power from the Civilians and he then declared his loyalty to Gen Ironsi.

Christistruth00:
Zik complained that Gen Ironsi had discriminated against the Minorities to .ensure Ojukwu emerged as Governor of the Eastern Region.

You are still going in circles. Come straight so I can address your grievance.

FYI, A head of state does not answer to a former head of state. Who would ignore an Oxford trained military officer? Ojukwu is not a person to be ignored.

senatordave1:
Sorry,I suppose tag you.you are an intellectual.but I don't think a book written by njoku should be the only reasonable explanation.mind you,he also went to a course abroad so I don't see why his juniors should overtake him.sounds funny

He researched your question, and posted his findings. Unfortunately, you don't like the answer, because it does not fit your tribalistic and animalistic theory that postulates that somehow Bassey edged out by who? Igbos, of course.

If you have any grey matter left in your brain, which I seriously doubt, you should be asking your stupidly hopeless question to the British, because I know that you can neither read nor do a simple research by yourself.