Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the January 15, 1966 military coup, the July 29, 1966 counter-coup and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election as some of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s history.
Speaking on Wednesday in Umuahia during the 60th memorial service for Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Gen. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was assassinated on July 29, 1966, Obasanjo urged Nigerians to draw lessons from those painful events to strengthen national unity and development.
He also renewed his call for the reintroduction of History as a subject in Nigerian schools, warning that nations that ignore their past are likely to repeat previous mistakes.
“Nigeria has many black days, and because of these black days, we must remember history to learn the right lessons,” Obasanjo said.
Reflecting on the country’s defining tragedies, he stressed that Nigerians should focus on the lessons they offer rather than the divisions they created.
“July 29 is one black day in the history of Nigeria. January 15 is another black day. The annulment of June 12 was also a black day. But the question is: what lessons do we learn from them?” he asked.
According to the former President, many of Nigeria’s historic crises were characterised by exclusion, destruction and division. He urged citizens to embrace inclusion, cooperation and national integration instead.
“Most of these black days excluded, destroyed and separated us. But we can learn the right lessons and draw inspiration for inclusion, construction, cooperation and bringing our people together,” he added.
Obasanjo also paid tribute to Aguiyi-Ironsi, describing the late military leader as a father figure who treated younger officers with dignity and respect.
He praised Aguiyi-Ironsi’s distinguished military career, recalling his service during the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo and highlighting his achievements as Nigeria’s first indigenous Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, Brigadier and Major-General.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to preserve the memories of leaders who made significant sacrifices for the country’s progress.
