Late brigadier wellington was the first commissioned officer of the Nigerian army.he was commissioned 2 months before aguiyi ironsi and ademulegun were commissioned.I think his no was NA1 and WA1.he was senior to ironsi by a few months just as buhari was senior to ibb and abacha and they never overtook him in rank.how did ironsi become a major general before wellington? As the most senior officer in Nigerian army,the British general was supposes to handover to him when they left.what really happened? Oga metaphysical,you will be needed here.

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1.LIEUTENANT WELLINGTON DUKE BASSEY (N/1): An Efik from Cross River State (now Akwa Ibom) who joined the army in 1936, he was commissioned lieutenant on the 30th of April, 1949 thus becoming Nigeria’s first indigenous officer. When Ugboma resigned, it meant that Bassey became the most senior Army number in the Nigeria Regiment. Now late, he would later be known as Brigadier WU Bassey. Camp WU Bassey and the Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo are named after him.

2. LIEUTENANT JOHNSON THOMAS UMUNNAKWE AGUIYI-IRONSI (N/2): He was commissioned lieutenant on 12th of June 1949 and would later become the first military head of state in Nigeria. He was assassinated in a coup in July 1966.

3. LIEUTENANT SAMUEL ADESOJI ADEMULEGUN (N/3):[/b] Like Aguiyi-Ironsi, Ademulegun was commissioned a lieutenant on 12th of June 1949. He was killed alongside his pregnant wife by Kaduna Nzeogwu in the country’s first military coup in January 1966.

myboy2111:
1.LIEUTENANT WELLINGTON DUKE BASSEY (N/1): An Efik from Cross River State (now Akwa Ibom) who joined the army in 1936, he was commissioned lieutenant on the 30th of April, 1949 thus becoming Nigeria’s first indigenous officer. When Ugboma resigned, it meant that Bassey became the most senior Army number in the Nigeria Regiment. Now late, he would later be known as Brigadier WU Bassey. Camp WU Bassey and the Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo are named after him.

2. LIEUTENANT JOHNSON THOMAS UMUNNAKWE AGUIYI-IRONSI (N/2): He was commissioned lieutenant on 12th of June 1949 and would later become the first military head of state in Nigeria. He was assassinated in a coup in July 1966.

3. LIEUTENANT SAMUEL ADESOJI ADEMULEGUN (N/3):[/b] Like Aguiyi-Ironsi, Ademulegun was commissioned a lieutenant on 12th of June 1949. He was killed alongside his pregnant wife by Kaduna Nzeogwu in the country’s first military coup in January 1966.

This explains nothing

Igbo sense at play

senatordave1:


This explains nothing

Is addition to the point you raised

Anybody below the age of 80, is not qualified to comment on this timely topic.

myboy2111:

Is addition to the point you raised

Ok

MightySparrow:
Igbo sense at play

But how was it done?

senatordave1:
Late brigadier wellington was the first commissioned officer of the Nigerian army.he was commissioned 2 months before aguiyi ironsi and ademulegun were commissioned.I think his no was NA1 and WA1.he was senior to ironsi by a few months just as buhari was senior to ibb and abacha and they never overtook him in rank.how did ironsi become a major general before wellington? As the most senior officer in Nigerian army,the British general was supposes to handover to him when they left.what really happened? Oga metaphysical,you will be needed here.

The answer can be found in late Brigadier Hillary Njoku's book "Tragedy without Heroes". Njoku was still new in the Army when British started the process of indigenising the officer corps of the Nigerian Army. They chose one of the oldest NCO's, Wellington Bassey, to be the first to go for 3 months officers training in Britain. On completion of his course and return to Nigeria, two much younger NCO's, Ironsi and Ademulegun were sent on the same course

The problem Bassey had was that he was an old Soldier who had no ambition. While Ironsi and Ademulegun where jumping at every opportunity to go on different courses abroad, Bassey was happy to stay in Nigeria and do his thing. Another thing was that Bassey was not as educated as Ironsi and Ademulegun. Njoku also stated in book that Bassey could not effectively command a brigade of Soldiers, let alone a division. So it was inevitable that younger, more hardworking and more ambitious officers eventually surpassed him.

A combination of age, education, ambition and capacity meant that Bassey never rose above the rank of Lt Colonel and quickly retired when Gowon came to power.

gidgiddy:


The answer can be found in late Brigadier Hillary Njoku's book "Tragedy without Heroes". Njoku was still new in the Army when British started the process of indigenising the officer corps of the Nigerian Army. They chose one of the oldest NCO's, Wellington Bassey, to be the first to go for 3 months officers training in Britain. On completion of his course and return to Nigeria, two much younger NCO's, Ironsi and Ademulegun were sent on the same course

The problem Bassey had was that he was an old Soldier who had no ambition. While Ironsi and Ademulegun where jumping at every opportunity to go on different courses abroad, Bassey was happy to stay in Nigeria and do his thing. Another thing was that Bassey was not as educated as Ironsi and Ademulegun. Njoku also stated in book that Bassey could not effectively command a brigade of Soldiers, let alone a division. So it was inevitable that younger, more hardworking and more ambitious officers eventually surpassed him.

A combination of age, education, ambition and capacity meant that Bassey never rose above the rank of Lt Colonel and quickly retired when Gowon came to power.

Sorry,I suppose tag you.you are an intellectual.but I don't think a book written by njoku should be the only reasonable explanation.mind you,he also went to a course abroad so I don't see why his juniors should overtake him.sounds funny

myboy2111:
1.LIEUTENANT WELLINGTON DUKE BASSEY (N/1): An Efik from Cross River State (now Akwa Ibom) who joined the army in 1936, he was commissioned lieutenant on the 30th of April, 1949 thus becoming Nigeria’s first indigenous officer. When Ugboma resigned, it meant that Bassey became the most senior Army number in the Nigeria Regiment. Now late, he would later be known as Brigadier WU Bassey. Camp WU Bassey and the Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo are named after him.

2. LIEUTENANT JOHNSON THOMAS UMUNNAKWE AGUIYI-IRONSI (N/2): He was commissioned lieutenant on 12th of June 1949 and would later become the first military head of state in Nigeria. He was assassinated in a coup in July 1966.

3. LIEUTENANT SAMUEL ADESOJI ADEMULEGUN (N/3):[/b] Like Aguiyi-Ironsi, Ademulegun was commissioned a lieutenant on 12th of June 1949. He was killed alongside his pregnant wife by Kaduna Nzeogwu in the country’s first military coup in January 1966.

If the God fearing truth be told Wellington Bassey was a Calabar man and after the NCNC Zik and Eyo-Ita Eastern Region Saga ,Wellington Bassey's career was deliberately sabotaged by Zik and his allies in power to make sure Ironsi eventually emerged as head of the Army. He retired from Gowons Govt as a Brigadier in 1975.

According to Robin Luckham, Wellington Duke U Bassey was Commissioned in 1946 so it is likely his seniority was backdated from 1949. to 1946. which made him Ironsi's senior In the Officers Corps by about 3 years .

On the the day that Ironsi became the head of the Army , Bassey was serving in a posting meant for a Captain .




Robin Luckham in his book. " The Nigerian Military " also mentioned that W.U Bassey was supposed to have been assassinated in the Jan 1966 Coup but he had managed to escape.

Let's forget those old stories abeg and move on.
Who Bassey help

Christistruth00:



If the God fearing truth be told Wellington Bassey's was a Calabar man and after the NCNC Zik and Eyo-Ita Eastern Region Saga ,Wellington Bassey's career was deliberately sabotaged by Zik and his allies to make sure Ironsi eventually emerged as head of the Army. He retire as a Brigadier in 1975.

You are beginning to sound like those the Willink's report described as shadowy

illicit:
Let's forget those old stories abeg and move on.

Who Bassey help

If Wellington Bassey's career had not been sabotaged by Zik and his NCNC Ministers in order to produce Ironsi as head of Army he would have been head of the Army in Jan 1966 and the Coups and Civil War would not have happened. His promotional trainings were delayed to make sure Ironsi ended up as head of the Army Zik and his Ministers didn't trust the Calabar man to be in charge of the Army .Zik later complained that Gen Ironsi should have made W.Bassey's Governor of the Eastern Region and not Ojukwu who was by far his Junior.


The attached photo shows Bassey and Ironsi's Officer Seniority when they were still in the Royal West African frontier force in 1954 and Bassey who was 3 years Ironsi's Senior Officer was not Ironsi's mate !

He must have been a lack lustre soldier who didn't key in properly to Military politics , because only that can explain how man who joined the military almost 10 years before Ironsi still ended up having Ironsi as his boss...He even had the perfect name to get British support... Military politics is quiet deep

OfoIgbo:


You are beginning to sound like those the Willink's report described as shadowy

What happened to Wellington Bassey's was very wicked and shameful.He was the most senior Army Officer but because he was from Calabar his career was Sabotaged by those who believed he was not on their side. By the time Zik realised his mistake during the Biafran War he confessed that Gen Ironsi should have made Wellington Bassey Governor of the Eastern Region and not Ojukwu as he was by far Ojukwu 's senior in the Army. He retired from Gowons Govt as a Brigadier in 1975.

Christistruth00:


If Wellington Bassey's career had not been sabotaged by Zik and his NCNC Ministers in order to produce Ironsi as head of Army he would have been head of the Army in Jan 1966 and the Coups and Civil War would not have happened. His promotional trainings were delayed to make sure Ironsi ended up as head of the Army and his Ministers didn't trust the Calabar man to be in charge of the Army .So i we complained that Gen Ironsi should have made W.Bassey's Governor of the Eastern Region and not Ojukwu who was by far his Junior.

We never could tell and these are suppositions btw.

Watch how tribalists will turn this into a show

Christistruth00:


If Wellington Bassey's career had not been sabotaged by Zik and his NCNC Ministers in order to produce Ironsi as head of Army he would have been head of the Army in Jan 1966 and the Coups and Civil War would not have happened. His promotional trainings were delayed to make sure Ironsi ended up as head of the Army and his Ministers didn't trust the Calabar man to be in charge of the Army .So i we complained that Gen Ironsi should have made W.Bassey's Governor of the Eastern Region and not Ojukwu who was by far his Junior.

What you sre saying wouldn't have been possible because it was the British that was running the Nigerian Army even after independence. Nigeria had a British GOC up until 1965. It was not just Ironsi who moved ahead of Bassey, there was Ironsi, Ademulegun, Ogundipe, Maimalari who were all Brigadiers when Ogundipe was still a Colonel. The British ran the Nigerian Army based on merit, not sentiments. Wellington Bassey simply wasn't up to the job

senatordave1:


Sorry,I suppose tag you.you are an intellectual.but I don't think a book written by njoku should be the only reasonable explanation.mind you,he also went to a course abroad so I don't see why his juniors should overtake him.sounds funny

Wow...
"I don't think a book written by Njoku should be the only reasonable explanation". If it was written by one Adewale, would you have accepted it? We're matching you people now with every antics you present. We'll never overlook anything.
It was the British that handed the top position to Ironsi. Go and search the british archive for answers you tribalistic urchin.

gidgiddy:


What you sre saying wouldn't have been possible because it was the British that was running the Nigerian Army even after independence. Nigeria had a British GOC up until 1965. It was not just Ironsi who moved ahead of Bassey, there was Ironsi, Ademulegun, Ogundipe, Maimalari who were all Brigadiers when Ogundipe was still a Colonel. The British ran the Nigerian Army based on merit, not sentiments. Wellington Bassey simply wasn't up to the job

The Nigerian Govt a!ready as far back as 1962 knew that the British head of the Army Gen Welby-Everard was to be replaced with a Nigerian since that time W.I Bassey's Promotions started being over delayed and he was denied the postings that would have enhanced his career he was deliberately given postings that were too low for his position until after Ironsi emerged as head of the Army and Ojukwu had been made Governor of the Eastern Region. He was seen as an Eyo-Ita man since they were both from Calabar.

Christistruth00:



If the God fearing truth be told Wellington Bassey's was a Calabar man and after the NCNC Zik and Eyo-Ita Eastern Region Saga ,Wellington Bassey's career was deliberately sabotaged by Zik and his allies to make sure Ironsi eventually emerged as head of the Army. He retire as a Brigadier in 1975.

oya yoruba tell us who sabotaged bassey so ADEMULEGUN will overtake him in rank

Christistruth00:


The Nigerian Govt a!ready ones as far back as 1962 knew that the British head of the Army Gen was to be replaced with a Nigerian since that time W.I Bassey's Promotions started being over delayed and he was denied the postings that would have enhanced his careers he was deliberately given postings that were too low for his position until after Ironsi emerged as head of the Army. He was seen as an Eyo-Ita man since they were both from Calabar.

imagine what hatred is making this afonja do.... Tell us why ogundipe ADEMULEGUN.. Did the rat poison taking awolowo also stop bassey promotion for them..

ejanla077:
oya yoruba tell us who sabotaged bassey so ADEMULEGUN will overtake him in rank

W.U Bassey's was too senior to Ademulegun in the Army to be considered a serious threat besides was it not the same intrigues that ended Ademuleguns life later on? What happened was that W.U Bassey's promotional trainings were delayed until after Ironsi had emerged as head of the Army and Ojukwu had emerged as Governor of the Eastern Region he was senior to both of them . Bassey's problem was that he was considered to be an Eyo-Ita boy because he was from Calabar like him .Please do your own research and find out the truth for yourself.
Truth makes you wiser.

Wellington Bassey was a fine and loyal Officer who was well loved by Rank and File, the Northern Soldiers loved him so much they made sure he was untouched during all the killings in the North.


From Ziks "Origins of the Nigerian Civil War " pages 1&2

senatordave1:
Late brigadier wellington was the first commissioned officer of the Nigerian army.he was commissioned 2 months before aguiyi ironsi and ademulegun were commissioned.I think his no was NA1 and WA1.he was senior to ironsi by a few months just as buhari was senior to ibb and abacha and they never overtook him in rank.how did ironsi become a major general before wellington? As the most senior officer in Nigerian army,the British general was supposes to handover to him when they left.what really happened? Oga metaphysical,you will be needed here.

Mynd44
Blackking
Fergie
Kyase
Blue3k
Naptu2
Lordviccoguru
Orientation
Pazienza
Udechid
Helinues
Gamelnasser
Omonnakada
Nsiba
Ifiokjohn

His son wrote this:

He is indeed Wellington Umo Bassey N/1. My father. And he was a Lt. Col as Brigade Commander, 1st Brigade, Kaduna. Fellow officers used to call him Duke (from his name Wellington, as in Duke of Wellington). He retired as a Lt Col. and was post-humously promoted to Brig Gen. Ironsi was N/2. My suspicion, although it was never a view my father held is that being from a minority tribe (Ibibio) had implications on how his promotion went. But, these things happen in the Army.

As he said, these things happen in the Nigerian Army. General Bali was General Babangida's senior, but Babangida was promoted to the rank of (4 star) general on October 1st, 1987, while Bali was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

By the way, the first Nigerian to be commissioned as an officer was Lieutenant Laud (Louis) Victor Ugboma (N1A). He was commissioned in 1948, while Bassey, Ironsi and Ademulegun were commissioned in 1949.

the days of using useless Lagos Ibadan express print media to demonize Igbos are gone,
in this era of social media, Igbos are out to squash any propaganda against us,
.
that's all I can say

And that should be our problem now after 80 fuvkin years.. Military decisions is what is it, civilians doesn't ask questions.. Why not ask why buhari cancelled his speech last night

naptu2:
but


His son wrote this:



As he said, these things happen in the Nigerian Army. General Bali was General Babangida's senior, but Babangida was promoted to the rank of (4 star) general on October 1st, 1987, while Bali was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

By the way, the first Nigerian to be commissioned as an officer was Lieutenant Laud (Louis) Victor Ugboma (N1A). He was commissioned in 1948, while Bassey, Ironsi and Ademulegun were commissioned in 1949.

You are correct Lt Ugboma was the first commissioned Nigerian Officer.He retired 5 years later and returned to his former career as a teacher. It was Ademulegun and Ironsi that were commissioned at the same time .

Gen David Ejoor on how Gen Ironsi used tribal loyalties to determine where senior officers were posted prior to the Jan 1966 Coup.

https://maxsiollun./2009/04/17/igbo-soldiers-plotted-coup-from-independence-day-ejoor/

I've researched to know enough of what happened. I'll leave it at that until any son of the fallen demon comes with another false allegation then I'll lay it bare here. Gone are the days of lies against Igbos. We're are ever vigilant today and forever. It is fire for fire now.

Christistruth00:


W.U Bassey's was too senior to Ademulegun in the Army to be considered a serious threat besides was it not the same intrigues that ended Ademuleguns life later on? What happened was that W.U Bassey's promotional trainings were delayed until after Ironsi had emerged as head of the Army and Ojukwu had emerged as Governor of the Eastern Region he was senior to both of them . Bassey's problem was that he was considered to be an Eyo-Ita boy because he was from Calabar like him .Please do your own research and find out the truth for yourself.
Truth makes you wiser.

Wellington Bassey was a fine and loyal Officer who was well loved by Rank and File, the Northern Soldiers loved him so much they made sure he was untouched during all the killings in the North.


From Ziks "Origins of the Nigerian Civil War " pages 1&2

Lies, lies, lies. Bassey, Ironsi and Ademulegun were commissioned the same year 1949 though he joined the army in 1936.
Ziks excerpt you posted dwelt solely on the perceived misappointment of Ojukwu by Ironsi as the Military Governor of the Eastern region instead of the other his seniors from the region. It has nothing to do with why Ironsi emerged ahead of Bassey as the GOC of the Nigerian Army.
We're very vigilant today.

naptu2:



His son wrote this:



As he said, these things happen in the Nigerian Army. General Bali was General Babangida's senior, but Babangida was promoted to the rank of (4 star) general on October 1st, 1987, while Bali was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

By the way, the first Nigerian to be commissioned as an officer was Lieutenant Laud (Louis) Victor Ugboma (N1A). He was commissioned in 1948, while Bassey, Ironsi and Ademulegun were commissioned in 1949.

Ugnoma was on Short Service Commission (SSC)