Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

2nd Head of State of Nigeria
In office
17 January 1966 – 29 July 1966
Chief of StaffBabafemi Ogundipe
Preceded byNnamdi Azikiwe
Succeeded byYakubu Gowon
General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army
In office
1965 – January 1966
PresidentNnamdi Azikiwe
Preceded byChristopher Welby-Everard
Succeeded byYakubu Gowon
Personal details
Born(1924-03-03)3 March 1924
Umuahia, Eastern Region, Nigeria, British Nigeria
(now Umuahia, Abia, Nigeria)
Died29 July 1966(1966-07-29) (aged 42)
Lalupon, Oyo Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Political partyNone (military)
Spouse(s)Victoria Aguyi-Ironsi
AwardsMember of the Royal Victorian Order
Member of the Order of the British Empire
Military service
Allegiance British Empire (to 1960)
 Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1942–1966
RankMajor General
UnitCommander, 2nd Brigade
CommandsForce Commander, ONUC

Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi MVO, MBE (3 March 1924 – 29 July 1966) was the first Military Head of State of Nigeria. He took control of Nigeria during the 15 January 1966 military coup.[1]

He ruled Nigeria from 16 January 1966 until his assassination on 29 July 1966 by military officials.[2]

References[change | change source]

  1. Congress, The Library of. "LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies (Library of Congress)". id.loc.gov. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  2. "Gen. Ironsi's SIN Against The North That led To His Death At The Hands Of Gowon's Putschist | opera news". opera.news. Retrieved 2020-05-27.