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                               THE LATE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT
                                      THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

Former Head of the Federal Military Government, Nigeria

Family Name: Aguiyi-Ironsi
Given Name: Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe
Dates: 1924 - 1966
Gender: Male
Country: Nigeria

T he third [3rd] President of Nigeria and it's First [1st]   Military President. The only Supreme Commander, The third Nigerian IGBO President was GEN. J.T.U AGUIYI IRONSI He was a Great Ibeku son. He came from the village of Umuana in Ndume Ibeku.

Positions

Positions Where there are no dates, positions are ordered alphabetically

· Head of the Federal Military Government - Government of Nigeria (16 Jan 1966 - 29 Jul 1966)
On October 1st, 1960, when Nigeria became independent, it became the Royal Nigerian Army. Finally, in 1963, it became known simply as the Nigerian Army - when Nigeria became a republic. An act of parliament codified this change.
The first GOC of the (Royal) Nigerian Army was Major Welby-Everard. In 1965 the first indigenous Nigerian GOC was appointed. He was Major General Johnson Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.
During the first world war, nine (9) battalions of the regiment fought And distinguished themselves at Douala, Garoua and Banyo in the Cameroons from 1914-16 and at Behobeho and Nyangao in East Africa from 1916-18.
During the second world war, units of the Nigeria regiment distinguished themselves at Juba, Goluin, Marda Pass, Babile Gap, Bisidimo, Colito, Omo, and Lechemti during the Abyssinian campaign in East Africa from 1940-41. In Burma, from 1943-45, as part of the 81st and 82nd West African Divisions, the regiment fought in North Arakan, Kaladan, Mayu Valley, Myohaung, Arakan Beaches, Kangaw, Dalet and Tamandu.
It was a component of Chindit operations in 1944.

This is the list of its various Commanders:

From October 24, 1913 Brevet Col. C.H.P. Carter, CB, CMG (Royal Scots)
From September 6th, 1914 Maj. F.H. Cunliffe (Middlesex Regt)
From 1914-1918 acting commandants as required
From 1918-1920 vacant
From March 20th, 1920 Col. G.T. Mair, CMG, DSO
From 1924 Col. J.F. Badham, DSO
From 1926 Col. W.B. Greenwell, CMG, DSO
From 1929 Col. C.C. Norman, CMG, DSO
From 1931 Col. W.R. Meredith, CBD, DSO
From 1936 Brig. D.P. Dickinson, DSO, OBE, MC
From 1939 Brig. W.R. Smallwood, DSO, MC
From 1940-1946 vacant
From 1946 Maj-Gen. C.R.A. Swynerton, CB, DSO
From 1949 Maj-Gen. C.B. Fairbanks, CB, CBE
From 1952 Maj-Gen. J.H. Inglis, CB, CBE

From 1956-1960    Maj-Gen. K.G. Exham, CB, DSO Post-Independence - Major Generals Welby-Everard and Aguiyi-Ironsi
Although some vague references exist to a few indigenous field commissions in the early years of British campaigns in Nigeria, the first ten commissioned officers were Bassey (1946), Ugboma(1948), Sey, Aguiyi-Ironsi and Ademulegun (1949), Shodeinde (1950) followed by Maimalari, Lawan, Ogundipe and Adebayo (1953). Maimalari and Lawan, both northerners from the North-East, were the first Sandhurst trained officers in Nigeria. The others listed rose from the ranks.

In 1965, Maj. Gen. CB Welby-Everard (a Briton) handed over, somewhat amicably (since he opposed Ironsi's nomination), to Maj. Gen. JTU Aguiyi Ironsi as GOC, Nigerian Army - Nigeria's first indigenous Army Chief. In January 1966, Ironsi became "Supreme Commander" after taking control following the January 15 mutiny. He did not actually give up the position of GOC, NA. Instead he combined it with his new position and appointed Gowon Chief of Staff (Army) - COS (A). Hence Ironsi continued to use the license plate "NA 1."


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