Precisely sixty years in the past, our beloved nation, Nigeria, took us without warning – troopers led by Main Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Main Emmanuel Ifejuana (the Olympic/Commonwealth Video games excessive bounce champion) introduced the termination of the civilian authorities led by Alhaji (Sir) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
I used to be in London, aged twenty-two years, and I used to be nearly midway via turning into a chartered accountant. My day by day routine revolved round studying the rudiments of revenue and loss accounts, steadiness sheets, worth propositions, and spreadsheets.
Change Administration; Feasibility Stories; Succession Planning; Danger Evaluation/Danger Administration; Strategic Considering; Checks and Balances; Simulation; Crucial Path Evaluation; Proof of Ideas; Environmental Affect Evaluation; Visioning; Planning Memorandum; Monetary Modelling, and so forth. None of those appeared to matter to the coup plotters – the “5 Majors”:
Main Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
Main Emmanuel Ifejuana
Main Timothy Onwuatuegwu, Main Chris Anuforo, Main Don Okafor.
A considerably completely different listing is offered by Main Adewale.
Ademoyega in his ebook: “WHY WE STRUCK.”
Of their radio broadcast, the coup plotters addressed just one merchandise – their mission, which was to liquidate the civilian authorities that commenced on 1st October 1960. That was the start of their bother with Comrade Ayo Opadokun!! He has waited these previous six many years to retaliate, and surprisingly, he has chosen the identical January 15 to return hearth for hearth. His verdict on the army is properly documented within the riveting ebook: “THE GUN HEGEMONY” which we’re right here to launch at present, whereas we relive our anguish over the orgy of bloodshed of that Friday night time/Saturday morning, adopted six months later by the counter-bloody coup of July twenty ninth, I think that a lot of you’d have observed that on the invitation playing cards and ads for at present’s occasion, all of the names (besides mine) have job titles. To be able to deal with that omission, allow me to reveal that I’ve been practising as a chartered accountant for fifty-six years. I spent thirty-four years at KPMG Nigeria, and for eleven years I used to be the chairman and chief govt. Nonetheless, what is much extra related is that I’ve been a newspaper columnist for nearly six many years, and I’ve written twenty-five books, of which the perfect recognized are:
(i) “Godfather By no means Sleeps.”
(ii) “God Does Not Dwell In Los Angeles Anymore?”
(iii) “Who Is Fooling Who?”
(iv) “The Natives Are Pleasant?”
(v) “The Duke And The Soul Princess.”
(vi) “The Taking pictures Of Outdated Boys of King’s Faculty.”
(vii) “Buried In Accordance With Muslim Rites By A Christian.”
(viii) “Past Oil (A Future With out Oil).”
“It was my grandfather who, as a medical physician, appealed to the British colonial authorities to supply public water bathrooms and refuse disposal homes (which have been being loved solely by white colonialists) for your complete Lagos.”
My books take care of the identical points, that are captured in “The Gun Hegemony,” however from a distinct perspective – that of 4 generations, beginning with my great-grandfather, Thomas Randle; my grandfather, Dr J.Okay. Randle; my dad, Chief J.Okay. Randle; and my humble self.
Collectively, we’ve got been on lively fight responsibility for nearly 200 years, not with weapons however with selfless service, ardour, compassion, integrity, data, philanthropy, and unflinching loyalty to the Nigeria Undertaking. Alas, our reward has been dismal. Largely antagonism, hostility and vendetta. Anyway, that could be a topic for one more day.
For now, allow us to at the very least acknowledge that the MUSON Centre the place we’re at present was initially “The Love Backyard”, which was donated by Dr J.Okay. Randle over 100 years in the past, “for the recreation and peaceable enjoyment of the individuals of Lagos”. Subsequent door was Dr J.Okay. Randle Swimming Pool, the place most Lagosians of my era learnt methods to swim. It was handed over to the Lagos City Council as a present in 1928. The Dr J.Okay. Randle Swimming Competitors, which commenced in 1928, is the oldest sporting competitors in Nigeria.
It was my grandfather who, as a medical physician, appealed to the British colonial authorities to supply public water bathrooms and refuse disposal homes (which have been being loved solely by white colonialists) for your complete Lagos. The colonial authorities refused. There was no funds allocation for such “luxurious”. Dr J.Okay. Randle determined to construct them together with his personal funds. They’re nonetheless with us, after 100 years, at Ita Faji, Ajele Road, Olusi Road, Igbosere Road (behind King’s Faculty), Cow Lane, Marina (reverse the Cathedral Church of Christ), Iddo Motor Park, and a number of other different places.
To my utter horror and shock, it was a civilian governor of Lagos who ordered the bulldozers accompanied by armed troopers and battle-ready policemen to raze each the Chief J.Okay. Randle Memorial Corridor and the Dr. J.Okay. Randle Swimming Pool to the bottom. It was like a bomb website; afterwards, by the next day, all of the particles had been carted away.
The date was September 24, 2016—the civilian dominated by drive and concern.
Tackle Delivered At The Launching Of “The Gun Hegemony” Written By Ayo Opadokun On fifteenth January 2026 At Muson Centre, Lagos.
