The family of Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, the late Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and other dignitaries for honouring the late military leader during activities marking the 60th anniversary of his assassination.
The son of the late Head of State and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, CON, in a statement on behalf of the family, described the commemoration as a solemn tribute to the late Head of State’s enduring legacy of patriotism, discipline, integrity and national unity.
July 29, 2026, marked 60 years since Aguiyi-Ironsi was assassinated during the military counter-coup in Ibadan. He was killed alongside the late Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi.
The family thanked President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Defence, for urging Nigerians to renew their commitment to national unity and patriotism, values they said Aguiyi-Ironsi exemplified throughout his life.
It also commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for attending the memorial in Umuahia despite his busy schedule, while acknowledging former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon for sending a goodwill message.
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The family further appreciated Governor Alex Otti for hosting the event and creating what it described as an enabling environment for its success.
It praised the governor’s call for national cohesion and merit-based leadership while also acknowledging the contributions of Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu, Chief of Staff Caleb Ajagba and the Governor’s Security Adviser, Donald Ubah, to the successful hosting of the event.
The statement also recognised the support of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family’s aide-de-camp, Col. Sanni Bello, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Law Mefor, former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.), and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe.
The family equally commended “senior serving and retired military officers, including the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Maj. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, security agencies, traditional rulers, the clergy, members of the diplomatic corps, political leaders and other Nigerians who participated in the memorial.”
It paid special tribute to the late Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, describing him as a martyr whose sacrifice reflected an unwavering commitment to national unity beyond ethnic and regional divides.
According to the family, the memorial was not intended to reopen historical controversies but to honour a life devoted to national service and inspire present and future leaders to embrace justice, accountability, discipline and selfless leadership.
The family prayed for the repose of the souls of Aguiyi-Ironsi and other fallen patriots, urging Nigerians to uphold the values of patriotism, integrity and national unity for which the late Head of State stood.