A lot has been said about Babafemi Olatunde Ogundipe, some of which has been ignorant, ill-informed, emotional and tribal.
To his family and extended family he was a hero. He accomplished and experienced in a short 47 years something others can only dream of. Not only providing for his eight children long after his death he secured their futures and gave them the opportunities to pursue and fulfil their dreams. To them he was a kind, passionate and fair man.
His 'fancy footwork' could be seen as self-preservation, but what has also proved to be true is that all of this was in order to make sure he could provide for his family. If to some this is cowardice and he should have unnecessarily sacrificed his life for a country that, at that time, was hell bent on conflict and confrontation then he will always be a coward to those people.
One can not help wondering if such people that denounce Brigadier Ogundipe as a coward would indeed blindly lay their lives down for their country. His military record is there for any to see. He was a soldier not a politician. Being a military man with intelligence doesn't necessarily qualify you to attempt to involve yourself in politics. Perhaps he realised this and had the foresight others lacked.
History should not remember Brigadier Ogundipe as either a hero nor a coward but a modern soldier.
Do not enter something unless you know what is at the end is going to be beneficial for all.