July 29: The Day Aguiyi Ironsi, Gowon, Nzeogwu met their doom

July 29 remains a significant day in Nigeria’s history as the three men who changed the fate of the country met their doom on that day. Johnson Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, Yakubu ‘Jack’ Dan-Yumma Gowon, and Kaduna Patrick Chukwuma Nzeogwu. Only one of them was lucky to be alive at the time of making this video.
Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was 41 years, 10 months, and 13 days old when he became the Head of State of Nigeria on January 16, 1966, having been born on March 3, 1924, in Umuahia, present-day Abia State.
General Yakubu Gowon was 31 years, 10 months, and 18 days old when he became the Head of State of Nigeria on August 1, 1966, having been born on October 19, 1934, in Kanke, present-day Plateau State.
Major Kaduna Nzeogwu was born on February 26, 1937, to his Igbo immigrant parents in Kaduna, present-day Kaduna State. He was an ambitious young military officer and a Roman Catholic. He was also a rebellious military officer and the forerunner of the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps. He was in charge of counterintelligence; the first Nigerian to hold the post.
One interesting fact is that in 1966, Nzeogwu changed the history of Nigeria that brought the two generals, Aguiyi-Ironsi and Gowon, into power.
One unified the country with a decree; the other unified the country with a bloody civil war that lasted for 30 months.
As military Heads of State, Aguiyi-Ironsi ruled Nigeria the shortest, for 194 days, while Gowon ruled Nigeria the longest, a lengthy 3,284 days.
However, on a July 29, Aguiyi-Ironsi and Nzeogwu would lose their lives while Gowon was lucky enough to lose power, and not his life, in a bloodless coup on July 29, 1975.
So, how did these events come to be? What’s special about July 29? That’s the focus of this video. #HistoryVille
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
01:29 The First Republic and Its Fall
02:30 Nigeria's First Coup D'etat
03:42 The Rise and Fall of Aguiyi-Ironsi
04:55 The July 29, 1966, Northern Counter-Coup
05:43 The Rise and Fall of Yakubu Gowon
07:59 The Significance of July 29
09:13 Next Video

[@HistoryVille]

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[@HenryJrUzor]

I'd like to see something on Fela Anikulapo Kuti. His battles with the FG, what his mother went through, all the sufferings the government put him through, and how he died. That will be an interesting piece of Nigerian history...........a tale of a Nigerian icon. Also, I love your work! 💪🏾👍🏾

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

So, Fela is now a hero? He created "Kalakuta Republic" and electrified the area in order to keep law enforcement agents out.

[@charliematts1736]

@@olurominiyiibitayo5473 what was he to you? A tyrant? Dictator?

[@jimmyjoe9670]

Fella overdid it so He deserved what He got

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

@@charliematts1736 he was never in government hence he didn't have the opportunity to be. But what type of person electrifies his compound labelled as Kalakuta republic.

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

@@jimmyjoe9670 and more.

[@SmartKelz]

Nice one but please Gowon was not the most senior army officer as at then, what played to his advantage was that he was part of the coup while the most senior army officer as at then was not part of the said july coup,,,Ogundipe was the most senior army officer

[@olatundefelix3821]

Most snr northern leader.....listen carefully

[@oluwatobiigbinedion9564]

“Most senior Northern...”

[@jimmyjoe9670]

You could have listened carefully. Olodo

[@Web3Revelation]

And he wasn't even part of the coup

[@oyindamolaoke9012]

U desf

[@emekaasoegwu313]

Nigerian politics and power play has always been about tribe!

[@adeizayusuf]

My best channel. Well done.

[@swiftgist]

Well said

[@inubaye2030]

Hmmmm,. just like yesterday! Gowon was not the senior military officer left after the murdered of Ironsi. Major general Ogundipe was the person but junior ranks of the northern soldiers refused his order and he ran away to Britain. Gowon was Lt.col then. He was given triple promotion to occupy the position of head of state. Nigeria has not been better off till today because of the wrong amalgamation.

[@obioraobiagwu7527]

Great video

[@qadarsaeed]

This chanel is the best💟💟

[@kelvinotuya9663]

Nice video

[@emmanueldollars8030]

The war never ended

[@inubaye2030]

It has started again. Wrong amalgamation. Nigeria is not one

[@opetimistic]

How can someone be an immigrant in his own country? You said Nzeogwu was born in Kaduna by his immigrant parents in your accompanying description of the video. Kindly edit

[@tocoki6701]

Perhaps, non Muslim Southerners are seen as immigrants in the North, regardless of citizenship.

[@opetimistic]

@@tocoki6701 interesting

[@---re9jc]

@@tocoki6701 They were back then. Things might be different now.

[@tocoki6701]

@@---re9jc No, not so much. Trust me. I know.

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

@@tocoki6701 perhaps is the keyword.

[@elozonachukwu6516]

Bro I really like your explanation very clean calm and soft

[@HistoryVille]

😇😇😇

[@jimmyjoe9670]

O yes He was good. Clear explanation

[@tafidagadzama9964]

Great channel of history.

[@HistoryVille]

Thanks.

[@nnamdichilakakingsleyibekw9177]

Nzeogwu died in the Civil War as a Biafra soldier not on the 29th July 1966

[@mann234]

Lessons to learn: Never start a coup d'etat even if you are right - just wait for decades for the truth to unfold naturally.

[@andrewavielele287]

Nzeogwu didn't die in July 29th 1966. He was killed during the civil war.. Kindly get your facts right

[@khalidbashir4017]

You should watch the video tp the end..Nzeogwu d:ed on same date but 1967

[@khalidbashir4017]

KZbin be deleting my comments

[@raytopson2828]

CK Nzeogwu was not among d officers killed in July 29 counter-coup,,,pls check ya records sir!

[@obayemianu7181]

He said a year later.. open ur ears and stop embarrassing urself

[@crownjewel4093]

I don't think he died a year after....I heard he was killed on the battle field during the Biafra war.

[@qcklasickquetv6876]

Adewale Ademoyega

[@olisechristopher7244]

Killing of Aguyi Ironsi by northern solders was also a revenge ,

[@AyeAye-pq2gu]

Nzeogwu did not lose his life on july 29

[@brains7733]

05:44 I think another major factor that favoured Gowon for the leadership was the fact that he was Pro One-Nation. as opposed to other elements who took part in 'OPERATION ARABA' (the code name for the July 66 counter coup: which in Hausa meant 'LET US PART/SEPARATE')

[@emekaezeokoli1287]

"Pro One-Nation" my foot! It's on record that Mr Yakuprevaricating Jackpot Gowontler at the inception of his junta said, "there's no basis for unity ..." The Arewa flag signalling Northern secession was already flying at Ikeja -- until the duplicitous British persuaded him [their houseboy and Foolani stooge] to have a rethink. The term "rebel" was actually originally applied to him before they later coopted it with reference to Ojukwu. Mr Gowontler proudly referred to the mutinous bunch led by Mr Murderoustala Ramrod Mohammed as "my boys" who must get what they wanted. 'nuff said.

[@sundayomeje6866]

@Mas-ud Al-hassan has been in denial of the problem in this country? How? Was the coup to divide the country, or it was to stamp out the corruption that was raging amongst the then politicians? The young officers thought to reborn the then Nigeria, that was why that coup was staged and they thought they had succeeded in rebirthing the country. They thought Nigeria will now rise as a nation after that coup. Unknown to them that the beast only went hiding only for a season to comeback in the form of the counter coup. That beast they tried to kill is still holding down this nation since after all these years.

[@outlyfe7570]

Why did they decided to destroy the regional parliamentary system of government. The ego of man will lead to his downfall.

[@chinedujames638]

Now I understand do how Aguiyi ironsi and Maj. kaduna nzeogwu met their doom on the same day Aguiyi former head of state was killed by theophilus danjuma in a coup led by col. Murtala and the then chief of army staff col. Gowon on July 29 1966 and the following year nzeogwu died in the early days of the Civil War while conducting a military renaissance on the same date of July 29 1967 who took his own life after been surrounded by nigerian army officers

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

One thing which is left out is that Ironsi eliminated the regions giving room to "ikinni a ni, ikejiani" - compliments of Akintola.

[@opetimistic]

Meaning?

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

@@opetimistic it means that he (Aguiyi Ironsi) wanted to concentrate/ consolidate all powers to the central government. Given Ibos propensity for giving positions of authority to fellow Ibos, Akintola bemoaned that "ikini a ni, ikeji a ni, Omo Yoruba, ewo ni eyin ni o" literally meaning "the first (Ibo) will have, the second (Ibo) will have, which ones will Yorubas have?" Let me further explain that at a certain point is time the director of Nigeria Railways, Ikejiani is Ibo, and he packed the top positions (of Nigeria Railways) with fellow Ibos. Akintola twisted the name "Ikejiani" to mean " ikeji (the second) a ni (will have). Tribal politics at its worst. Fortunately, the Yorubas didn't follow him but actually resisted him thereby leading to the notorious "wet e" whereby thousands lost their lives and properties.

[@thenewmayorofcrazytown7392]

@@olurominiyiibitayo5473 There seem to be the implication that they were hired because they were Ibo regardless of qualification rather than the those with qualifications were mainly Ibo. I can not say either way but your position seems to imply that you take a firm stance on the first position.

[@olurominiyiibitayo5473]

@@thenewmayorofcrazytown7392 of course, they were hired or promoted because they are Ibos. There is no denying the prevalence of the concept - "ikini a ni, ikeji a ni". There is no field where those who have the required qualifications are mainly Ibos. Akintola was telling the truth. Unfortunately, the Yorubas were not attuned to tribal politics. At least, not at that time.

[@kelechukwuanozyk7605]

Aguiyi Ironsi was taken from his house in Lagos to Ibadan. He died in Ibadan after his house was surrounded in Lagos and had him taken away

[@sportsgeek4335]

Gowon was not the most senior military personnel after ironsi.

[@habeebullahiabdulrahman5506]

Who then?

[@oasisofficial9504]

@@habeebullahiabdulrahman5506 even ojukwu was senior to Gowon

[@tundeogunjide5855]

General Babafemi Ogundipe @@habeebullahiabdulrahman5506

[@anthonyokwudili5450]

@@habeebullahiabdulrahman5506 Brigadier General O Ogundipe and Col Ojukwu were all seniors to Col Gowon at the time of Ironsi's demise.

[@abimbolaalexander2826]

Most senoir northern officer

[@UnkTobe]

You're wrong Nzeogu didn't die on July 29

[@jabulanijama7569]

Sorry Nigerians for all you've been through.

[@msakosua5133]

Break Nigeria and Save Lifes stop putting bandage on a rotten sore

[@hansero7244]

I think its a terrible plan to break Nigeria apart. Many of the issues stem from corruption and lack of infrastructure. If Nigerians (the people) reflect from the past many if the issues were are dealing with today wouldn't be happening. Aka Buhari 🤦🏿

[@petitben5240]

Poor gallant fools!

[@chudyedeji7754]

Great video. However you need to research more on Nigeria's ethnicity as none of the January 16 coup plotters were Igbo as mentioned in your video. Ifeajuna is from Onitsha, they are not Igbos. It is like calling a Badagry man "Yoruba". Badagry man is Egun not Yoruba. Having explained ... Nigerians should stop referring January 16 coup plotters as mostly Igbos

[@charliematts1736]

So onitsha people are not igbos is that what you meant? If so, what are they?

[@chudyedeji7754]

@@charliematts1736 Onitsha people were migrants from Benin kingdom through their forefather "Dosunmu". Kindly look out for and read Nnamdi Azikiwe's biography. He explained in details how Onitsha people migrated from the old Benin kingdom down to and across the Niger River. You will be duly informed.

[@tundeogunjide5855]

Chudy Edeji, you are a Fool a very big Fool the Coup was an Igbo Coup stop fabricating your story

[@mosesuloko8840]

@@chudyedeji7754 there are igbo's!

[@Obalufon]

Egun's are Yoruba. Onitsha is Igbo. So, stop the cap!

[@The-blackSeed]

You're a bias journalist

[@conradsunkiojack2538]

Who are you? What the hell are you talking about? Are you engaging in these talks to spike sentiments and mockery? Your account is mixed up and spurious. July 29th, 30th & 31st, 1966, were the days of the second coupe led by Yakubu Gowon. Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu planned and executed the January 1966 revolution, but July 29th was NOT the date of his death, Nzeogwu died in Biafra fighting the Nigerian forces. Gowon didn't die then or meet his doom either. Your narration is fanning embers of bitterness as you thread these lines that caused division but healing till date. People know about it and are living it even as it is. Challenge yourself with what is ailing the people and offer solutions critically. It will show your intelligence, cause, and concern devoid of apathy.

[@Dude-dx5ns]

This is exactly what he said. Do you have sense at all?

[@Drew_nsppd]

Nzeogwu did not plan the coup...and you are basically repeating everything in the video.

[@egbenughevandistobore1058]

That is a big lie that aguyi ironsi was also targeted in the cuop, it was an igbo coup period

[@SmartKelz]

He was a target n I m sure this ain't the first time u are hearing it. One of the coup plotters Captain Ben Gbulie said it himself.

[@oasisofficial9504]

Keep shouting Igbo coup while buhari and his Fulani cohorts keep dominating you

[@ndoapex]

Common shut up fool instead you to read up the history you are here talking trash

[@DejiTalker]

He was a target. Major Ifeajuna was from same place as him so tipped him off, so he managed to escape

[@keziaisrael8300]

Criminal minded ibo destroyed the beautiful Regional parliamentary system.