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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward (12874 Views)
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Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by zigam(m): 5:08pm On Mar 30, 2009 |
One wonder why Brigadier Ogundipe whom Ojukwu wanted to take over power after Late General Aguiyi Ironsi was killed did not do much to assume the responsibility of Nigeria leadership. It was even a shock to hear that when Brigadier Ogundipe gave an order, a recruit told him “oga, abeg go relax joo.” The recruit did not carry his order – a General for that matter. Instead, Gowon and Ojukwu were busy giving order and counter order. So, could it be that Ogundipe was not interested to rule Nigeria or it was an act of cowardice? Your comment please. |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by EBELE20(f): 5:14pm On Mar 30, 2009 |
zigam: |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by biina: 5:46pm On Mar 30, 2009 |
zigam:IIRC the story was that he gave a command to a sergeant (a northerner) who refused to obey unless his commanding officer (a major also from the north), who was away, confirmed the command on his return. Ogundipe then felt that if the major was to order the sergeant to shoot him, the sergeant wil likely comply as it seemed the Sergeant would only obey someone from the northern part of the country and had no deference for the rank involved. I would say he was a coward for running away without helping to arrest the situation. 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by plcgroup: 9:30pm On Mar 30, 2009 |
maybe, a coward too |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by tpia: 9:47pm On Mar 30, 2009 |
. |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by biina: 10:03pm On Mar 30, 2009 |
tpia:From wikepedia Babafemi Ogundipe was the de facto Vice President of Nigeria during Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi's 1966 military government. He was born on September 6 1924 to Yoruba parents from Ago-Iwoye, in present-day Ogun State in western Nigeria. He joined the Royal West African Frontier Force in 1941, serving in Burma between 1942 and 1945. He re-enlisted after the second World War, and rose to the rank of Brigadier in May 1964. He served as the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Nigerian Defence Forces between January 1966 and August 1966. After the coup which overthrew Aguiyi-Ironsi, and following an agreement with the new military government led by Yakubu Gowon, he left the country for the United Kingdom, where he attended the 1966 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as Nigeria's representative in September. Thereafter he took up appointment as Nigeria's High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, a post he held until August 1970, when he left public service. He died in London in November 1971. 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by yarodin: 7:11am On Mar 31, 2009 |
That was probably one of the smartest Nigerian Generals. If he was a coward he would not have even bothered to issue an order. He saw that he was outnumbered and quickly made a decision that probably saved his life. 14 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by meexteriox(m): 5:07pm On Mar 31, 2009 |
Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe lived a quiet life and preferred a quiet job of ''advising'' Ironsi. He was also busy re-allocating living quarters by the former Federal ministers. Personally, i wouldn't call him a hero, but coward wouldn't be the right word too. He just happened on the annals of Nigerian history, simple, no impact whatsoever. 2 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Dede1(m): 5:49pm On Mar 31, 2009 |
As a seasoned soldier, the antics of Brigadier Ogundipe and many other rank and file of Yoruba stock in Nigeria army were not only display of cowardice but lack of vision. If the political actions of Yoruba and the ethnic minorities of southern Nigerian baring the Ibibio, Atama, Annang, Ogoni, Kalabari and Ijo of Bayelsa State were tactical, than it manifested into today’s Nigeria, a complete cesspit. I think the Yoruba sold out for the development of Lagos and few economic leftovers while the ethnic minorities go stadia for their bidding. 2 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by maxsiollun: 2:11pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
Ogundipe was no coward. He tried to take over after Ironsi's dissapearance but could not do much because northern soldiers refused to take orders from him. He gave an order to a northern Sergeant in the Federal Guards, and the Sergeant bluntly refused the order and replied "I do not take orders from you until my (northern) captain comes". The Captain was of course Captain Joe Garba. 3 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by russellino: 3:36pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
The man was NO COWARD. He was very smart and adapted himself to a role that would see him survive all the madness that the country was sinking into. Its ironic that his fancy footwork didnt see him live as long as ojukwu or gowon though as he died soon after the civil war. Pity we'll never know what his role in history might have been. 2 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by texazzpete(m): 7:06pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
Ironic and amusing how cowed people living contentedly under deviant rulers can call other people 'cowards' with a straight face. If self-preservation and a total love for life was not the most pressing thing to you all, wouldn't you have gone ahead with the revolution you've all be threatening to declare for so long? We all belong to a generation that has failed at every turn to force our point through to the Government. Except for a few of the ND millitants who have been able to force a superior power to bend to their point of view, what have you lot done? 13 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by sunnela: 7:41pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
true talk |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by russellino: 8:12pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
@texazzpete tooo true my brother. WE are the cowards 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Arnold1(m): 8:37pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
Why now 8 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Bialegend(m): 9:31pm On Jun 30, 2009 |
A true coward of the highest order. As they say, it is in the blood. 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by AloyEmeka9: 8:11am On Jul 01, 2009 |
I don't think Ogundipe was a coward. He had no choice and will be committing suicide if he persisted in managing the military. Same thing will happen to Goodluck Jonathan if yaradua dies in office unless goodluck will shine on him. |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Afam(m): 8:55am On Jul 01, 2009 |
It has been stated over and over again that Ojukwu was not the ambitious person people try to paint him to be and as a matter of fact he fought a war that the yorubas would have fought but for Brig Gen Ogundipe refusing to take over command as the most senior surviving army officer when Gen Ironsi was killed and that was normal military protocol. Ojukwu never waged a war against Nigeria, he simply insisted that Brig Gen Ogundipe should take over as the president which was right thinking. That single mistake by Brig Gen Ogundipe led to the many problems we have had in Nigeria where the North sees itself as the most qualified region to lead Nigeria since they got away with that major blunder. People tend to forget that both the Eastern Region and the the Federal Government more or less ran parallel government for about one full year including the famous Aburi accord that Gowon signed but Britain encouraged and advised him not to implement. Those who fail to learn from history are bound to repeat the same mistake again. Talking about who a true hero is then talk about Fajuyi who chose death even when he had a chance to remain alive when Ironsi was about being killed. He stood by his guest and commander in chief even in the face of death even though he was a Yoruba man. He remains one of the bravest Nigerian and will continue to earn the respect of all well meaning Nigerians. 5 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Kogsy: 11:27am On Sep 27, 2009 |
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. 6 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by maxsiollun: 11:45am On Sep 27, 2009 |
Fajuyi did not give his life for Ironsi. It seems he was a target of the northern mutineers all along and would have been killed with Ironsi regardless. It was the Western Region publication "Fajuyi The Great" that started the myth that Fajuyi "chose to die with Ironsi". The myth was later embellished in subsequent publications. One of the most ridiculous of which was Fajuyi: The Martyred soldier, by Sanmi Ajiki. Ajiki claimed that Fajuyi told Ironsi: "I make bold to declare to you that, I am with you soul, spirit and body. And mark my words, whatever happens to you today, happens to me. I am your true friend, dear J.U.T like the dove to the pigeon, and by the grace of our good God, so will I humbly yet proudly remain till the very end." [/i]According to Ajiki, Ironsi replied [i]"Yes! Francis, I retain my absolute confidence in you. I have never for once doubted your integrity." That might sound nice and heroic for their family members, but the accounts given by the soldiers that were present suggest that no such fluffy dialogue took place. William Walbe (one of the officers that led Fajuyi and Ironsi to their death in Ibadan) publicly confirmed in an interview that Fajuyi was destined to share Ironsi's fate and that they (the northern mutineers) wanted Fajuyi dead because they were convinced he was an ally of the Janaury 1966 Majors and helped them plan their coup. The interview is quoted in Gowon's biography entitled "Gowon: Biogrpahy of a Soldier Statesman". Lt-Gen Danjuma later corroborated Walbe's account in an interview with a Nigerian army civil war historical team. Danjuma went even further than Walbe and said that the soldiers that killed Ironsi and Fajuyi could not stand Fajuyi. They felt he deserved to die even more than Ironsi. Aloy.Emeka: 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by omamokta: 6:50pm On Oct 03, 2009 |
He who fights and run away lives to fight again, but did he fight at all before running away? 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Denn(m): 4:23pm On Jan 11, 2013 |
very complex times for Ogundipe.....very complex |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Afam4eva(m): 4:34pm On Jan 11, 2013 |
I probably would have done what Ogundipe did if i was in his position. I'm saying this as a civilian who has no military background. Ogundipe was simply scared that he'll be wasted just like Aguiyi Ironsi. |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by danjohn: 5:06pm On Jan 11, 2013 |
texazzpete: Ironic and amusing how cowed people living contentedly under deviant rulers can call other people 'cowards' with a straight face. You hit the nail on the head. |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by danjohn: 5:14pm On Jan 11, 2013 |
Arnold1: Fight and end up like Ghadaffi?? The man had been fighting for 2 years. It was clear and unequivocal that the Biafran forces had been defeated. At the time Ojukwu left, Biafra had already turned into a nomadic refugee camp. Ojukwu left a few days before the federal troops took over the Udi airport (the only airport left in Biafra). If he stayed, they would have killed him and given him the gift of martyrdom. Point blank, if Ojukwu was made a martyr, Igbos would never have completely surrendered. We would still have Igbo militant committing terrorist activities all in the name of their deceased leader. Just look at Boko Haram, it was after their, Yusuf, was killed that they took their terrorist activities to new heights. I think that Ojukwu escaping was one the best things that ever happened to Nigeria. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by gocare: 10:36pm On Mar 20, 2013 |
To stay to rule a country when you do not have a sufficient power base is simply foolish. And even if you do why would you risk civil war. Far better to seek a mutually beneficial arrangement. Especially when you have a family. After he retired he was killed by a stroke. A result of his high blood pressure. 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by T9ksy(m): 12:22am On Mar 21, 2013 |
danjohn: |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Nobody: 1:56pm On Aug 06, 2013 |
. 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Gamesmart: 11:17am On Apr 13, 2015 |
biina: This is frankly a very moronic statement. How is he suppose to arrest the situation? By shooting the thousands of Northern soldiers and imposing his will and ideals? Instead of you to talk about poor and immature military establishment, structure and culture, you are alluding to some cowardice. 2 Likes |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Gamesmart: 11:25am On Apr 13, 2015 |
russellino: Some people think until you get yourself killed out of idiocy is the only time you can be seen as "brave", "hero" and "intelligent". What makes him a Brigadier? Is it by mere putting the tag on the forehead? Or from an appointment and responsibility to command an army of men? Some people think it is the former, not the latter. If those men decide to not take command, how does that reflect on you when you have not done anything out of character to warrant that respond? 1 Like |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Gamesmart: 11:27am On Apr 13, 2015 |
texazzpete: Well said, man. |
Re: Brigadier Ogundipe A Hero Or Coward by Gamesmart: 11:34am On Apr 13, 2015 |
Afam: This is the kind of stupidity many see as heroism and bravery. What did Fajuyi achieve with his action? Nothing. He is dead, the person he tried to protect is dead, the people that killed them ruled Nigeria for years. Choosing meaningless death is heroic? |
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