A Nigerian civil war veteran, retired Brigadier General Godwin Alabi-Isama, has said those who are jealous of the brilliance of Late Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle were behind the travails he went through
The veteran civil war hero, who was not happy with the way Adekunle was treated, said it is sad that Ojukwu, who caused the war that claimed over two million lives and loss of valuables, was buried with full military honour when he died while Adekunle brought the war to an end was deprived of his rights.
Godwin Alabi-Isama, who served as Chief of Staff to Brig Gen. Benjamin Adekunle as the Commander of 3rd Marine Commando, spoke during the Inaugural Benjamin Adekunle memorial lecture held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
Isama, in a speech he titled ‘A man who came to fulfil Destiny’ said they discredited us for their glory, they lied against him, Adekunle never stole money as they claimed, he lived in a tent during the war, we had no furniture, no officer’s mess as claimed by his successors.
“Having worked under Brig-Gen Adekunle’s dynamic leadership as his Chief of Staff during the most challenging period of Nigeria’s civil war years (I967-69) when he was the Commander of the Third Marine Commando Division, I am therefore, speaking from a vantage and authoritative position, and can attest to his patriotism, sharp mind, and engaging knowledgeable expertise in military matters.”
“He was just a brilliant person, and they were too jealous of him, and that was why they lied against him.
“Adekunle was a professional soldier who was not involved in any coup plotting against constituted authority—he did not participate in the Nzeogwu coup of Jan 15th, I966; he was also not part of the counter-coup of July, I966. He was never known to participate in any coup until he retired from the Army in the year I974. Adekunle, the distinguished Asipa of Ogbomosho, was a professional soldier’s soldier and a true patriot who respected the Nigerian flag, until his last breath.
My final word is for you, sons and daughters of Ogbomosho, nay Yoruba Nation, to get your acts together and recognize your heroes; do not expect anyone to do it for you. Go get your son, the hero of our time, Gen Adekunle, out of Ikoyi cemetery back home to Ogbomosho for a befitting hero’s burial in a newly created Hero’s Park, and leave the rest to God.”
“Adekunle does not need any more adjectives to describe his efforts at keeping Nigeria one during the trying history of our country”. He concluded.
President of Ogbomoso Valiant Club Reat Admiral Jacob Ajani Retd, in his lecture entitled “Military Prowress of Ogbomoso Sons and the Leadership Qualities of Late Brigadier General Benjamin Adekunle: Lessons for the Youth, said, the majority of Ogbomoso people in the military were encouraged by his prowess.
He added that the lessons are loyalty, integrity, sense of responsibility, knowledge, courage, initiative and decisiveness. Others are tact, dependability, endurance, enthusiasm, unselfishness and bearing.
Also, Professor Omotoye Olorode and Dr Olayinka Ogungbile, in their brief lectures highlighted the role played by Gen. Adekunle in enhancing the unity of Nigeria and how he was deprived of the rightful honour by the government.
President Ogbomoso Parapo Justice Afolabi Adeniran and Professor Sola Adepoju, Dr Akin Onigbinde, Hon Sunday Dare, and others, in their separate remarks, said they will consider the request of General Alabi Isama and ensure a proper honour for the late Civil War Hero.
Barrister Segun Adekunle, who gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the family, hinted that the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume, has promised to look into all the points raised by the family and guest lecturers and accord the late Brigadier his due honour.
Members of clubs and associations in Ogbomoso LAUTECH Management, including retired and active military officers, attended the lecture under the direction of Vice Chancellor Professor Olatunde Kalilu, Hon. Mulikat Akande Adeola.
