🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Aguiyi-Ironsi family honors Fajuyi's 'supreme sacrifice
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
The family of late former Head of State, Maj Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has honored late Lt Col Adekunle Fajuyi, describing his death as a "supreme and heroic sacrifice" for national unity. Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, wrote a letter of remembrance and solidarity to the Fajuyi family on the 60th anniversary of his death. The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup. Fajuyi chose loyalty over personal safety, refusing to abandon his guest and superior, which the family stated reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood. His action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continues to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service. The Aguiyi-Ironsi family expressed sympathy to the Fajuyi family and called on government institutions and military authorities to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remains a national responsibility to remember and honor. They urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy challenges the nation to uphold unity, courage, honor, and selfless service. Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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