Personality in Focus
Murtala Mohammed: Remembering Originator of ‘Fellow Nigerians’ 47 Years After
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By Eric Elezuo
He is noted as the first person to use the popular military catch phrase ‘fellow Nigerians’, and popularised it among subsequent leaders, who had used it at all coup situations. He is Murtala Ramat Muhammad GCFR, Nigeria’s third military Head of State, who was murdered in cold blood on February 13, 1976, less than eight months after he took over administration.
Born on November 8, 1938, Mohammed is believed to have led the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup in overthrowing the Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi military regime and featured prominently during the Nigerian Civil War and thereafter ruled over Nigeria from 30 July 1975 until his assassination on that fateful February 13, 1976 morning.
He was in Kano, into a ruling-class religious family, Murtala served in the Nigerian Army as a cadet in the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He later served in Congo; eventually rose through the ranks to become brigadier general in 1971, aged 33, becoming one of the youngest generals in Nigeria. Three years later Murtala became the Federal Commissioner for Communications in Lagos. As a conservative and federalist, Murtala regretted the overthrow of the First Republic and the promulgation of Aguiyi Ironsi’s unification decree of 1966. He was devastated by the assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello, and for a time seriously considered the secession of Northern Nigeria. His career redoubled after Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and the young majors orchestrated the first military coup in Nigeria of 1966 coup empowering him to lead the mutiny of the night of 29 July 1966 in Abeokuta. Murtala was briefly considered as Supreme Commander before the appointment of Yakubu Gowon. He also masterminded the July 1966 counter coup, which evidently, sparked the Nigerian Civil War.
During the war, he commandeered Nigeria’s second infantry division which was responsible for the death of civilians and much of the rebels. His command’s use of veteran soldiers, no quarter, and scorched earth strategies led to between 10,000 and 30,000 deaths. Combined with the total wartime death toll of three million making the civil war one of the deadliest in modern history. Three years later the Federal military government declared victory which bolstered Murtala’s image over Nigeria and in particular the north as a military leader through the post-war era of “reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation”. In post-civil-war Nigeria, Murtala ruled with more power than any Nigerian leader before or since, and developed a charismatic authority and cult of personality. During the Cold War he maintained Nigerian neutrality through participation in the non-aligned movement but supported the Soviet Union — during the latter’s effort in the Angolan Civil War
Nigeria under Murtala presided over a period of rampant economic prosperity. At the same time, his regime transitioned from being authoritarian into consensus decision-making with Murtala the leader of a military triumvirate, alongside Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma. The dictatorship softened and Murtala unveiled plans for the demilitarization of politics. In 1976 barely seven months into his nascent rule Murtala without having time to see his plans implemented was assassinated in a failed coup d’ètat attempt, being succeeded by Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of State, who, in turn, led the Nigerian transition to democracy with the Second Nigerian Republic.
The legacy of Murtala in Nigerian history remains controversial as the nature of his rule changed over time. His reign was marked by both brutal repression, and economic prosperity, which greatly improved the quality of life in Nigeria. His dictatorial style proved highly adaptable, which enabled wide-sweeping social and economic reform, while consistent pursuits during his reign centered on highly centralised government, authoritarianism, federalism, national Federalism, and pan-Africanism.
Murtala Muhammed was born on November 8, 1938 in Kano. His father, Muhammed Riskuwa, was from the Fulani Genawa clan, who had a history of Islamic jurisprudence as both his paternal grandfather Suleman and paternal great-grandfather Mohammed Zangi served as Chief Judges in Kano Emirate and held the title of chief Alkali of Kano. His father worked in the Kano Native Authority and was related to Aminu Kano, Inuwa Wada, and Aminu Wali. He died in 1953, his mother, Uwani Rahamatu, was from the Kanuri and Fulani Jobawa clan, the Jobawa clan members include the Makama of Kano and Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, his maternal grandfather Yakubu Soja a World War I veteran was from Dawakin Tofa while his maternal grandmother Hajiya Hauwau (Aya) was from Gezawa, he was educated at Cikin Gida Elementary School which was inside the emir’s palace.
He then transferred to Gidan Makama primary school in Kano which was just outside the palace. He then proceeded to Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College, Kano) in 1949, before attending the famous Government College (now Barewa College) in Zaria, where he obtained his school certificate in 1957. At Barewa College, Muhammed was a member of the Cadet Corps and was captain of shooting in his final year. In 1957, he obtained a school leaving certificate and applied to join the Nigerian army later in the year.
Murtala Muhammed joined the Nigerian Army in 1958. He spent short training stints in Nigeria and Ghana and then was trained as an officer cadet at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in England. After his training, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1961 and assigned to the Nigerian Army Signals that same year, later spending a short stint with the No. 3 Brigade Signals Troop in Congo In 1962, Muhammed was appointed aide-de-camp to M. A. Majekodunmi, the federally-appointed administrator of the Western Region.
In 1963, he became the officer-in-charge of the First Brigade Signal Troop in Kaduna, Nigeria. That year he traveled to the Royal Corps of Signals at Catterick Garrison, England for a course on advanced telecommunications techniques. On his return to Nigeria in 1964, he was promoted to major and appointed officer-commanding, 1st Signal Squadron in Apapa, Lagos. In November 1965, he was made acting Chief of Signals of the Army, while his paternal uncle, Inuwa Wada had recently been appointed Defense Minister.
Mohammed’s coup in 1966 led to the installation of Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Gowon as Supreme Commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces, despite the intransigence of Muhammed who wanted the role of Supreme Commander for himself. However, as Gowon was militarily his senior, and finding a lack of support from the British and American advisors, he caved in. Gowon rewarded him by confirming his ranking (he had been an acting Lt. Colonel until then) and his appointment (Inspector of Signals).
In June 1968, he relinquished his commanding position and was posted to Lagos and appointed Inspector of Signals. In April 1968, he was promoted to colonel. The actions of the division during this period, mostly in Asaba became a subject of speculation. In a book published in 2017, S. Elizabeth Bird and Fraser Ottanelli document the 1967 mass murder of civilians by troops of the 2 Division under General Muhammed’s command. They also discuss the events leading up to the massacre, and its impact on Asaba and on the progress of the war, as well as other civilian massacres carried out by soldiers of the 2nd Division at Onitsha and Isheagu.
Between 1970 and 1971, he attended the Joint Service Staff College in England, his supervisor’s report attributed him to having ”a quick agile mind, considerable ability and common sense. He holds strong views which he puts forward in a forthright manner. He is a strong character and determined. However, he finds it difficult to moderate his opinions and finds it difficult to enter into debate with others whose views he may not share”.After the war, he was promoted to brigadier-general in October 1971. Between 1971 and 1974, Muhammed was involved in routine activities within the signals unit of the army. However, he also disagreed with some of the policies being pursued by Gowon.
On 7 August 1974, the head of state, General Yakubu Gowon appointed him as the new Federal Commissioner for Communications, which he combined with his military duties as Inspector of Signals at the Army Signals Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos. On 7 August 1974, General Yakubu Gowon appointed Muhammed as the Federal commissioner (position now called Minister) for communications to oversee and facilitate the nation’s development of cost effective communication infrastructures during the oil boom. After the war and after he took power as head of state, Muhammed started the reorganization and demobilization of 100,000 troops from the armed forces. The number of troops in the armed forces decreased from 250,000 to 150,000.
On 29 July 1975, General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown while attending the 12th summit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Kampala, Uganda. Muhammed took power as the new Military Head of State. Brigadiers Obasanjo (later Lt. General) and Danjuma (later Lt. General) were appointed as Chief of Staff, Supreme HQ and Chief of Army Staff, respectively.
In the coup d’état that brought him to power he introduced the phrases “Fellow Nigerians” and “with immediate effect” to the national lexicon. In a short time, Murtala Muhammed’s policies won him broad popular support, and his decisiveness elevated him to the status of a folk hero.
However his highly popular, often televised “with immediate effect” style of governing, also gained some criticism amongst the countries top civil servants – some of which were Nigeria’s top intellectuals. His ad-hoc Presidential proclamations left his civil service often unprepared, lacking details or even funding to implement his ideas, and his administration led to the dismissal of thousands of civil servants. Over 10,000 civil servants, government employees were dismissed without benefits; reasons stated were age, health, incompetence, or malpractice. The removal of such a large amount of public officials affected the public service, the judiciary, the police and armed forces, the diplomatic service, public corporations, and university officials. Quite a few officials were tried on corruption charges, and an ex-military state governor was executed for gross office misconduct.
Muhammed took federal control of the country’s two largest newspapers – Daily Times and New Nigerian; all media in Nigeria was now under federal control. He also took federal control of the remaining state-run universities. On February 3, 1976, the Military Government of Murtala Muhammed created new states and renamed others, the states he created include: Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Imo, Niger, Ogun, and Ondo. This brought the total number of states in Nigeria to nineteen in 1976.
As head of state, Muhammed put in place plans to build a new Federal Capital Territory due to Lagos being overcrowded. He set up a panel headed by Justice Akinola Aguda, which chose the Abuja area as the new capital ahead of other proposed locations. On February 3, 1976, Muhammed announced that the Federal Capital would in the future move to a federal territory location of about 8,000 square kilometres in the central part of the country.
Towards the end of 1975, the administration implemented a mass purge in the Nigerian civil service. The civil service was viewed as undisciplined and lacking a sense of purpose. A retrenchment exercise was implemented as part of a strategy to refocus the service.
Source: Wikipedia
The former Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Folarin Coker, and other tourism stakeholders have called for improved Artificial Intelligence regulations and its transformation for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s tourism and travel sector.
The call was in sequel to the recent technical network glitch involving the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP), which disrupted travel operations and left thousands of inbound and outbound passengers stranded at airports worldwide.
The incident, which reportedly prevented passengers from boarding flights bound for Nigeria, has renewed concerns over the country’s reliance on digital systems and highlighted the need for stronger technological infrastructure, effective regulation and improved AI integration to ensure seamless travel operations and enhance the tourism experience.
Speaking on Villa Square, a special segment of Cre8tive 9Ja, a weekly tourism and culture magazine programme hosted by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke and Bunmi Bade-Adeniji on Mainland 98.3 FM, Lagos, former Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Folarin Coker, said Nigeria should not confuse digitisation with transformation.
“We should not confuse digitisation with transformation. Putting a broken process online is not reform,” Coker said.
He noted that the country’s ambition should be to make travel easier, improve the productivity of tourism businesses and ensure better management of destinations.
Coker said there was a need to deconstruct the existing system and create an ecosystem in which the necessary structures work effectively before AI is deployed to deepen the passenger experience.
According to him, AI can improve various aspects of travel, including the embassy and visa processes, flight bookings, pricing, arrival experiences, transportation and cultural engagement.
“Artificial Intelligence and technology are being mistaken for true development. It is not about another app or website, but about fixing the things that need to be fixed and setting the standards,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Global Links Service, Pastor Chinyere Umeasiegbu, said airline operators were often responsible for flight disruptions.
She urged airline operators to address the recurring issue of flight cancellations, stressing the need for sustainable reforms that do not rely solely on Artificial Intelligence.
Umeasiegbu also called for improved communication between airlines and passengers, advising travellers to take screenshots of messages relating to flight delays and submit them to the appropriate authorities when necessary.
Coker further stated that the government must address fundamental infrastructure challenges, including roads and security, while establishing standards for globally competitive hotel services rather than relying on AI as a substitute for broader development.
“A digitally driven tourism agenda is what most people are using. However, we have a gifted cultural expression that can help amplify our tourism agenda, from music, fashion and food to medical tourism,” he said.
He stressed the need for government to make Nigeria’s tourism experience more accessible by providing the necessary infrastructure and ensuring that tourism products and destinations are easily bookable without technological disruptions.
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika, disclosed that the council had established a Council for Creative Technology and would soon publish a digital roadmap outlining how Artificial Intelligence could be incorporated into the arts and culture sector.
“We need to enrich Artificial Intelligence with the elements of our culture, our history and our content. We need to do this and put the necessary systems in place because, if we don’t, Artificial Intelligence might not be able to see us,” Asika said.
He explained that the concern was partly linked to the data and content used to train AI systems, noting that African and Black tourism and cultural knowledge needed greater representation.
On the role of AI in food tourism and promoting Nigerian cuisine globally, Chef Shine said the technology could be used to properly document and promote the country’s culinary heritage.
“It is important for us to use AI to document our food properly. AI will not take over our food, nor will AI cook the food,” he said.
“This is the best time to discuss the digital agenda and Artificial Intelligence. We need to use AI to document our food and monetise our cuisine,” he added.
Speaking on the use of AI in promoting Nigeria as a tourism destination, travel and tourism journalist Okorie Uhuru said the technology was already transforming the way destinations and tourism products were marketed.
“The old order of doing things, like packaging a destination tour and marketing tourism, has faded because of Artificial Intelligence. AI has helped us market our tourism to a global audience,” he said.
Uhuru urged tourism stakeholders and individuals to adapt to the technology in order to remain competitive.
“As individuals, you have to make an effort to align with AI to sell your tourism product; otherwise, you will be left behind,” he said.
Professor Wasui Babalola called on the government to develop policies that would help translate technological advancement into economic value.
He said the digital transformation process must retain a human element if it is to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria’s tourism sector.
“The knowledge of the digital process should be given with a human element, and that is when our tourism would improve,” Babalola said.
This piece is contributed by Onyeka Ezike
At 40, Jumoke Azeez has reached a milestone that offers her an opportunity to reflect on a journey defined by creativity, resilience, enterprise and an enduring passion for fashion.
The Ibadan-based fashion entrepreneur and Founder/Creative Director of Zeezdesigns clocks 40 on Friday, marking four decades of life and celebrating a growing entrepreneurial journey in Nigeria’s dynamic fashion industry.
For Jumoke, fashion is more than clothing. It is a means of expressing creativity, individuality, confidence and identity.
Through Zeezdesigns, she has steadily built a contemporary fashion brand offering bespoke tailoring, ready-to-wear fashion, fabrics, accessories and fashion training for both men and women.
The journey:
Building a fashion business requires considerably more than the ability to create beautiful clothes. It requires vision, discipline, consistency, customer understanding and the resilience to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
These qualities have shaped Jumoke’s journey.
From her base in Ibadan, Oyo State, she has continued to develop Zeezdesigns as an expression of her creative vision and entrepreneurial ambition.
Her approach has been to combine contemporary style with quality craftsmanship, creating pieces that enable her customers to express their individual personalities while remaining connected to the evolving Nigerian fashion landscape.
Over time, Zeezdesigns has grown beyond the idea of simply making clothes. It has become a brand through which Jumoke continues to explore creativity, fashion and enterprise.
Building from Ibadan:
One defining feature of Jumoke’s story is the decision to build her fashion enterprise from Ibadan.
Nigeria’s fashion industry is increasingly attracting global attention, with Lagos, Abuja and other major cities serving as important centres of fashion and creative enterprise. Yet entrepreneurs such as Jumoke demonstrate that creativity and commercially viable fashion brands can also emerge from other parts of the country.
For her, Ibadan provides both a home and a market from which to develop her vision.
The city has a long history of entrepreneurship, commerce and culture, and Jumoke’s journey adds another dimension to that story: the emergence of contemporary creative businesses driven by individuals who are combining talent with enterprise.
More than a fashion label:
Zeezdesigns has evolved into more than a clothing label. Its offering spans bespoke clothing, ready-to-wear pieces, fabrics and accessories, while Jumoke has also incorporated fashion training into the brand’s activities.
This reflects an entrepreneurial philosophy that looks beyond the creation of individual garments towards building a sustainable fashion enterprise.
For Jumoke, every design represents an opportunity to translate an idea into something tangible — and every customer interaction provides an opportunity to strengthen the brand.
Her entrepreneurial journey has also received recognition, including the Excellence Enterprise Award, while her work and the Zeezdesigns story have attracted media and public attention.
A milestone, not a destination:
Turning 40 represents an important personal milestone, but for Jumoke it is also a moment to look ahead.
The fashion industry continues to change rapidly. Consumer preferences are evolving, social media is transforming how fashion brands reach customers, and Nigerian designers are increasingly looking beyond traditional markets.
These changes present both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs.
Jumoke’s ambition is to continue building Zeezdesigns into a distinctive Nigerian fashion brand while remaining faithful to the creativity, quality and individuality that have shaped its journey.
Her story also reflects a broader reality about entrepreneurship in Nigeria: many successful businesses begin with an individual’s talent and determination and gradually evolve into brands with the potential to create value, inspire others and contribute to the creative economy.
Looking ahead:
As she celebrates her 40th birthday, Jumoke Azeez can look back on the journey with gratitude while keeping her attention firmly on what lies ahead.
Her next chapter will be about deepening the Zeezdesigns brand, expanding its reach, developing new creative possibilities and continuing to build a business that reflects her vision.
At 40, the story of Jumoke Azeez is therefore not simply about reaching a birthday milestone.
It is the story of a woman who has chosen to turn creativity into enterprise, passion into a brand, and a personal vision into a growing fashion business.
And from her base in Ibadan, the journey continues.
ABOUT JUMOKE AZEEZ
Jumoke Azeez is a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and the Founder and Creative Director of Zeezdesigns, a contemporary fashion brand based in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Born on 25th of September, 1986, Jumoke is a graduate of English at Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State
Zeezdesigns specialises in bespoke tailoring, ready-to-wear fashion, fabrics, accessories and fashion training for men and women.
Driven by creativity, elegance and exceptional craftsmanship, Jumoke has built Zeezdesigns around a vision of fashion that celebrates individuality, confidence and contemporary Nigerian style.
Instagram/TikTok: @zeezdesigns23
Location: 1, Irepodun Close, Opposite No 1 Hotel by Ososami Junction, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Recognition: Excellence Enterprise Award
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JUMOKE AZEEZ AT 40: CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES OF CREATIVITY, STYLE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Ibadan-based fashion entrepreneur and Founder/Creative Director of Zeezdesigns, Jumoke Azeez, clocks 40 on Friday, celebrating a milestone defined by creativity, resilience, enterprise and a passion for fashion.
For Jumoke Azeez, turning 40 is more than a birthday milestone. It is a celebration of a journey shaped by creativity, determination, consistency and an enduring commitment to excellence.
The Ibadan-based fashion entrepreneur is the Founder and Creative Director of Zeezdesigns, a contemporary Nigerian fashion brand offering bespoke tailoring, ready-to-wear fashion, fabrics and accessories for both men and women.
Over the years, Jumoke has steadily developed Zeezdesigns into a platform through which she expresses her creative vision and passion for fashion. Her work reflects a commitment to individuality, elegance and contemporary Nigerian style, with each creation designed to combine aesthetics with quality craftsmanship.
Her entrepreneurial journey has also been characterised by resilience. Building a fashion enterprise requires more than creativity; it demands discipline, customer understanding, business management and the ability to continually evolve with changing tastes and trends.
Through Zeezdesigns, Jumoke has continued to transform creative ideas into distinctive fashion pieces while building a brand that reflects her personality and values.
Her work has earned recognition, including the Excellence Enterprise Award, while her entrepreneurial and creative journey has attracted media and public attention.
At 40, Jumoke is also looking beyond the celebration of an individual milestone. Her journey represents the growing contribution of Nigerian entrepreneurs and creative professionals who are building businesses and brands outside the traditional commercial centres.
Based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Zeezdesigns demonstrates the possibilities that exist for creative entrepreneurs to build distinctive brands from Nigeria’s cities and connect with an increasingly sophisticated fashion market.
For Jumoke, fashion is not simply about clothing. It is a means of expressing personality, confidence and individuality.
As she marks her 40th birthday, she looks forward to the next chapter of her journey with the same creativity, determination and commitment to excellence that have defined the Zeezdesigns story.
Jumoke Azeez at 40 is therefore a celebration not only of a birthday, but of creativity, enterprise, resilience and the continuing evolution of a Nigerian fashion brand.
ABOUT ZEEZDESIGNS:
Zeezdesigns is a contemporary fashion brand based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, founded and creatively directed by Jumoke Azeez.
The brand specialises in:
• Bespoke tailoring
• Ready-to-wear fashion
• Fabrics
• Fashion accessories
• Fashion training
Location: 1, Irepodun Close, Opposite No 1 Hotel by Ososami Junction, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Instagram/TikTok: @zeezdesigns23
Award: Excellence Enterprise Award
Personality in Focus
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede @60: Reflecting on a Life of Building Institutions, People and Possibilities
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, today, marks his 60th birthday with a deeply personal reflection on a life shaped by faith, family, service and an enduring commitment to building institutions, people and opportunities.
In a message shared on LinkedIn, Aig-Imoukhuede received the milestone with gratitude to God for life, grace, family, friendship and the privilege of living with purpose.
“Today, I turn 60,” he wrote. “I receive this milestone with profound gratitude to God, for life, for grace, for family, for friendship, and for the privilege of purpose.”
Looking back on the different chapters of his life, Aig-Imoukhuede identified one defining idea that has connected much of his journey: a calling to build.
“To build institutions. To build people. To build opportunities. To help build a stronger Africa,” he stated.
Beyond institutions and opportunities, he said the journey has also been about building a life anchored in faith, family, service and values that will endure beyond any one individual.
Aig-Imoukhuede acknowledged that whatever he has accomplished was made possible by the extraordinary people who accompanied him on the journey. He expressed appreciation to his wife, Ofovwe, their children, family members, friends, colleagues, partners and mentors who challenged, supported and shared in the work.
“Whatever has been accomplished has never been mine alone,” he said. “I have been blessed with extraordinary people who have challenged me, supported me and shared in the work.”
He also paid special tribute to his mother, Pastor Emily, and his close partner, Herbert, whose memories remain an important part of his journey.
Reflecting on his 50th birthday, Aig-Imoukhuede recalled describing himself at the time as “God’s Work in Progress”. A decade later, he said that description remained true.
“The building continues,” he declared.
Rather than regard his 60th birthday as the culmination of his journey, Aig-Imoukhuede sees it as the beginning of another decade of purposeful work and service.
As he looks to the future, his prayer is for God to grant him the grace, wisdom and strength to continue building more intentionally and generously, with an even greater commitment to leaving behind stronger institutions, wider opportunities and transformed lives.
The reflection presents his birthday not simply as a celebration of longevity or accomplishment, but as an opportunity to renew his commitment to service, purpose and impact.
For Aig-Imoukhuede, the work of building is therefore far from complete. His focus remains on creating institutions and opportunities that endure, empowering people and contributing to the emergence of a stronger Africa.
“Sixty years. Deeply thankful. Still building,” he concluded. “To God be all the glory.”
At 60, Aig-Imoukhuede is not looking back with a sense of completion. He is entering a new decade with gratitude for the journey so far and a renewed determination to keep building lives, opportunities and institutions that will outlast him.
