One of Nigeria’s most remembered leaders, 37-year-old Murtala Muhammed, was killed on February 13, 39 years ago, in an abortive coup attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka.
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Born on a Tuesday, the 8th of November, 1938, in
the Kurawa Quarters of Kano State to Risqua Muhammed and Uwani Ramatu, he had 7
siblings (one girl and seven boys) and he was the second child.
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Murtala was a blunt, outspoken and consummate
risk taker. A soldier who ironically had no regard for the chain of command, he
was in a class of his own when it came to dangerous exploits. A no-nonsense
person, Murtala was known for his legendary outbursts of terrifying anger.
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On the 26th January, 1952, he was admitted as
student number 941 as the school itself was founded in 1909. He was one of the
ten students from Kano and finished in 1957. One of his classmates was the late
General Mohammed Shuwa shot dead at his home by gunmen in Maiduguri in November
2012. Shuwa was one of the prominent figures during the Nigerian Civil War and
later a leading figure in Murtala’s government. Gowon also attended the same
college.
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He
attended Regular Officers Special Training School , ROSTS (Teshie, Ghana), now
Ghana Military Academy where he was taught as a 2nd Lieutenant infantry tactics
and military laws by the late Odumegwu Ojukwu. Obasanjo and Gowon also attended
ROSTS.
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He was introduced to his wife by his cousin.
They fell in love, hit it off, and when they met in Kaduna later, he proposed
to her and they got married in Kaduna in 1963 after her studies, the same year
he became a Captain. Their marriage was a blissful and peaceful one. In 1965,
the marriage was blessed with a cheeky baby girl who later attended the Queen’s
College, Yaba, Lagos.
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At the time when Murtala was killed, his
daughter, Zalihatu was just two years old, and Jumai was just a baby.
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When Murtala was killed and the news was relayed
to his wife, she broke down and wept for her dear husband.
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Today, Mrs. Ajoke Muhammed is ageing gracefully,
is widely respected for her charitable activities and calm demeanor. Even as a
First Lady, she was not unnecessarily flamboyant. Her marriage was blessed with
six children: Aishat, Fatimah, Zakari, Risqua Abba, Zalihatu, Jumai (she was
just a baby, less than a year old when her father was killed). The daughters
are now married.
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By the end of 1964, Murtala was already a
temporary Major (known as a T/Major).
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The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) lasted for
thirty blood-soaked months and one of the principal actors of that sad phase of
Nigerian history was Murtala.
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On the evening of the 30th of July 1975, Murtala
made his maiden speech to the nation as the Head of State and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
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He set up a panel headed by Justice Ayo Irikefe
on the creation of seven more states (Niger, Bauchi, Gongola, Benue, Ogun, Imo
and Bendel) to the 12 existing ones on 22nd December, 1975. The panel came up
with a report which was utilized in the formation of new states in 1976.
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Murtala might be a strong-headed soldier but he
was an amazing family man. In 2006, his Yoruba wife (with partly Fulani roots),
Mrs. Hafsat Ajoke Muhammed recollects the fond memories: “At home and at
work, my husband was one and the same person. His behaviour at work and home
were the same. He was a firm person, upright and had a great sense of humour.”
Nigeria has immortalized
Murtala’s legacy in books and monuments and will continue to do so such that
our youth can learn from his life of purpose and commitment to higher ideals.
May his soul continue to rest in peace and may God continue to comfort his
family as a grateful nation remembers his sacrifice.”
